Is My Horse Telepathic?

The Telepathic Connection: Understanding Horse Communication

Exploring the Mystique of Horse Communication

If you’re lucky, you might have had a horse that seems to anticipate your needs before you even ask. If you’re exceptionally fortunate, or if you’ve invested considerable time and resources, you may have one that does this for everyone. These horses are often referred to as 'educated'.

Whether you lean towards skepticism or have a more spiritual perspective, many horse owners report feeling that their horse possesses a telepathic ability.

While mainstream science remains cautious about claims of telepathy, the depth of horse-human communication is undeniable. Horses excel at reading subtle cues, emotional states, and non-verbal feedback. What some interpret as telepathy may actually be a sophisticated interplay of body language, intention, and trust.

The Elberfield Horses: A Historical Perspective

In the early 1900s, in Elberfeld, Germany, businessman and animal enthusiast Karl Krall trained several horses—most famously Muhamed, Zarif, and Berto—to perform astonishing feats that seemed almost unbelievable:

• Reading and spelling using hoof taps

• Extracting cube roots of numbers written on a blackboard

• Communicating spontaneously, even tattling on grooms or other horses

  
  

Krall implemented a tapping system: the left hoof for tens and the right for units. For instance, if the answer was 65, the horse would tap six times with the left hoof and five times with the right.

The 'Clever Hans Effect'

Clever Hans was a horse in early 20th-century Germany who captivated audiences with what appeared to be remarkable intelligence. He could “solve” math problems, tell time, and even understand German—or so it seemed.

Hans would tap his hoof to answer questions posed by his trainer, Wilhelm von Osten. Crowds were amazed, and even scientists were intrigued. However, in 1907, psychologist Oskar Pfungst conducted a series of experiments that changed everything.

Pfungst varied who asked the questions:

• Sometimes the questioner knew the answer.

• Sometimes they didn’t.

• Sometimes Hans couldn’t see the questioner.

  
  

Findings:

• Hans only answered correctly when the questioner knew the answer.

• If the questioner didn’t know—or if Hans couldn’t see them—his accuracy plummeted.

  
  

Pfungst concluded that Hans was responding to involuntary cues: tiny shifts in posture, facial tension, or breathing that signaled when to stop tapping. This led to the now-famous Clever Hans Effect, a term still used in psychology and animal training to describe how subtle, unconscious cues can influence behavior. It highlights the importance of double-blind studies and cue-free environments in behavioral research, becoming a cornerstone concept in behavioral science and experimental design.

The Reality of Horse Communication

Whether or not horses are telepathic, it often feels as if they are. For around 3000 years, humans have utilized horses for transport, labor, and as a source of ‘horsepower’ for machinery. Over this time, we have selectively bred them for traits that enhance their ability to anticipate our requests and comply with them.

For example, delivery horses are often ‘route-trained,’ meaning they know where to go, when to stop, and for how long.

I recently listened to a podcast where Theo Von was talking to an Amish boy. Theo discussed drink-driving as a modern hazard. The boy replied, “Oh, we don’t need to worry about that. The horse will just take you home.” Theo nodded, saying, “the original Tesla.”

What Does This Mean for Horse Owners Today?

It doesn’t matter whether your horse is reading your mind or interpreting cues—your energy will influence their behavior. This principle also applies to negative thoughts.

How often have you seen someone convinced their horse wouldn’t load onto a float, and, predictably, it didn’t?

Characteristics of an 'Educated' Horse

An 'educated' horse exhibits several key traits:

• Responsive to cues: The horse understands and reacts appropriately to aids from the rider’s seat, legs, reins, or voice.

• Emotionally settled: It’s not just trained; it’s mentally comfortable with its work. Such horses are less reactive, more adaptable, and can tolerate rider mistakes without escalating.

• Consistent across contexts: The horse can perform reliably in various environments—arena, trail, competition—without losing composure.

• Clear communication: It understands the “language” of training and can engage in a two-way conversation with the rider or handler.

• Willingness and softness: An educated horse offers its movements rather than being forced into them. It’s not just obedient; it’s cooperative.

  
  

How Do You Achieve 'Education'?

Achieving an educated horse involves repetitive, consistent cues that lead to positive outcomes. This process builds skills incrementally, adding challenges over time to set the horse up for success and confidence.

It’s beneficial to approach your horse with clear intentions. Consider how much time you have for the task and envision an ideal outcome. These elements can contribute to why a trainer may have more success with your horse than you do. A trainer typically has a clear goal in mind and can break that outcome into achievable steps.

If your thinking is unclear, your cues will also be unclear. You might find it helpful to mentally communicate with your horse about what you want it to do, allowing your physical cues to follow.

The Outcome: Telepathy or Not?

Whether it’s telepathy or not, the outcome remains the same. The connection between horse and rider is profound and can lead to remarkable results.

Further Reading

For those interested in exploring this topic further, consider these resources:

• Clever Hans and his effects: Karl Krall and the origins of experimental parapsychology in Germany

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• Levels of communication: The talking horse experiments

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• Straight from the horse’s mouth? A literature review and a randomized controlled trial of intuitive animal communication

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