How Does Music Effect Your Horses Mood?
 By Nikie
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12th Mar 2011 •
15,320 views
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23 comments
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The power of music is definitely an emotional factor in the daily lives of humans. Listening to your favorite song may bring back memories of your childhood or a deceased grandparent, mother or father. You may even use the tunes of your favorite rock band to pump you up right before you enter the arena for your equestrian event. But does music effect horses in a similar way. Can you pump Mozart throughout your barn to assist in calming your horses?
I spent some time researching this question and found arguments for both sides. Some scientists argued that playing background music for your horse will block out the natural environmental sounds. A horse uses sound for situational awareness and a first alert for predators and changes in its surrounding environment.
Playing background music eliminates this sensor in horses, which can increase the stress on the horse.
Imagine yourself in a pasture or horse stall without the sense of hearing. You now must substitute this loss of hearing with sight. This reduces your first alert ability from an immediate 360 degrees to only your peripheral vision.
In contrast, many feel the benefits of music out-way the reduction of environmental noise caused by background music. Horses can benefit from music in situations where they are in stalls for long periods of time where the fear of predators is small. Musical entertainment relieves boredom and can assist in calming a horse in a stressful situation.
Some scientists researched the effects of Mozart on horses and the data revealed a dramatic calming effect. A similar study concluded that when riders listed to music they are much calmer, which transfers directly to the horse and results in a calm horse also.
What is your opinion, music or no music? |
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More From This Author: Nikie
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HarleyPeach1
That's neat. I've heard that it helped before.
That's neat. I've heard that it helped before.
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Mar 12, 2011
• 8,647 views
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T E M P E S T
Great article! I think music is a good idea, especially if you have a feisty horse.
Great article! I think music is a good idea, especially if you have a feisty horse.
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Mar 12, 2011
• 8,675 views
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Raychel
That's a cool article! Thanks for sharing =)
That's a cool article! Thanks for sharing =)
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Mar 12, 2011
• 8,645 views
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No Walkin Farms9
Well calms me down. So I would to think it would also help calm a horse. Great article. I enjoyed reading it.
Well calms me down. So I would to think it would also help calm a horse. Great article. I enjoyed reading it.
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Mar 12, 2011
• 9,043 views
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Painted Destiny
Great article! I always listen to music before a lesson.
Great article! I always listen to music before a lesson.
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Mar 12, 2011
• 9,020 views
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Ebony Acres
I think music, at times. When I go to the barn, I might humm Beethoven or sing a lullaby. It calms both me AND the horses.
I think music, at times. When I go to the barn, I might humm Beethoven or sing a lullaby. It calms both me AND the horses.
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Mar 12, 2011
• 9,220 views
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Run Free
well i ride with music on all the horses seem to enjoy the pop songs i have even seen some 'dancing' (swaying their heads) to songs and getting angry when the radio breaaks and the music stops lol
well i ride with music on all the horses seem to enjoy the pop songs i have even seen some 'dancing' (swaying their heads) to songs and getting angry when the radio breaaks and the music stops lol
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Mar 12, 2011
• 9,027 views
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Artista
Very cool article. There was an article published in California about 6 years ago that showed playing rock and roll to Corn helped it to grow and seemed to shy away infections of the plant. I found that amusing. But, never underestimate the power of music! Hoo-rah!
Very cool article. There was an article published in California about 6 years ago that showed playing rock and roll to Corn helped it to grow and seemed to shy away infections of the plant. I found that amusing. But, never underestimate the power of music! Hoo-rah!
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Mar 12, 2011
• 9,024 views
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All That Jazz
Cool article!
I think both my Arab and I would benifit from music :)
Cool article!
I think both my Arab and I would benifit from music :)
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Mar 12, 2011
• 9,023 views
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Candy99
Awesome article!
Awesome article!
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Mar 12, 2011
• 9,034 views
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Fox Trot
Very interesting...music can do so many wonderful things.
Very interesting...music can do so many wonderful things.
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Mar 13, 2011
• 9,049 views
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athea
Definitely music!
Definitely music!
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Mar 13, 2011
• 9,207 views
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Isadorable
Great job! I've never known if it was actually good for the horses, or if it didn't effect them at all.
Great job! I've never known if it was actually good for the horses, or if it didn't effect them at all.
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Mar 13, 2011
• 9,041 views
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Estella Noire
Intriguing... I'm really not sure.
Awesome article, anyway!
Intriguing... I'm really not sure.
Awesome article, anyway!
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Mar 14, 2011
• 9,023 views
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Mar 14, 2011
• 9,051 views
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Whispyy
Great Article. I think the Music Helps.
Great Article. I think the Music Helps.
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Mar 14, 2011
• 9,022 views
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Untamed Heart
I dont play music to my horse... I sing it! My horse normally just wishes she could close her ears cause I sound like a squaking bird... lol
I dont play music to my horse... I sing it! My horse normally just wishes she could close her ears cause I sound like a squaking bird... lol
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Mar 14, 2011
• 9,039 views
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T W I
Wow, that's very cool!
If I had a horse I would definately try to techniqe out. :)
Wow, that's very cool!
If I had a horse I would definately try to techniqe out. :)
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Mar 14, 2011
• 9,043 views
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Mar 17, 2011
• 9,042 views
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Simplicity
that is really cool
that is really cool
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Mar 20, 2011
• 9,016 views
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Mar 20, 2011
• 9,227 views
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Ghost
I had a mare that I used to ride that was relatively neurotic--don't know if it had to do with being a trail-ride horse or not (although she was a guide horse) but she would just have these sporatic moments where she'd try to back off switch backs, or trails when the horse in front of her wasn't moving fast enough (Yes saddle fit was checked). I discovered if I hummed, or sang while I rode her, she'd calm down and deal with being stuck dragging the ride. Poor Bambi horse.
I had a mare that I used to ride that was relatively neurotic--don't know if it had to do with being a trail-ride horse or not (although she was a guide horse) but she would just have these sporatic moments where she'd try to back off switch backs, or trails when the horse in front of her wasn't moving fast enough (Yes saddle fit was checked). I discovered if I hummed, or sang while I rode her, she'd calm down and deal with being stuck dragging the ride. Poor Bambi horse.
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Mar 21, 2011
• 9,035 views
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MoMoz
I knew someone who did and experiment like this with PLANTS and they found that plants grow larger, faster, and prettier if you play classical music. They had all the same plant but in different rooms with some listening to screamo, some listening to Justin Bieber, some listening to country, some listening to 80's disco music, some listening to classical music, you get the point. The screamo plant died and the classical music plant grew largest. Crazy right?
SO I am thinking it would work for horses. Not the growing part but it would bring out the best in them and help with their performance in the arena. I think music should be played in my barn!!
I knew someone who did and experiment like this with PLANTS and they found that plants grow larger, faster, and prettier if you play classical music. They had all the same plant but in different rooms with some listening to screamo, some listening to Justin Bieber, some listening to country, some listening to 80's disco music, some listening to classical music, you get the point. The screamo plant died and the classical music plant grew largest. Crazy right?
SO I am thinking it would work for horses. Not the growing part but it would bring out the best in them and help with their performance in the arena. I think music should be played in my barn!!
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Mar 28, 2011
• 9,047 views
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