What if the “dangerous” horse isn’t dangerous at all—but depressed or misunderstood?

In this episode, Nika Vorster speaks with equestrian coach and author Joanna (Horses Explained) about horse psychology and the overlooked mental health of our equine partners. Joanna shares insights from her book Understanding Horse Depression, explains the difference between temperament and personality, and breaks down the four temperament types that shape how horses respond to training. Together, they explore how rider energy and emotions influence horses, why labels like “difficult” can hide deeper issues, and how rehabilitation rooted in patience and empathy changes outcomes. Joanna also tells the story of her horse Ella, a so-called “dangerous” mare who became a trusted partner through understanding and trust.

Joanna wants to clarify a few things from the conversation:

1. The Research citation is credit to a 2012 study by Carole Fureix and Martine Hausberger.-The link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22761752/ 
2. Clarification on horse depression- This is a brief introduction to horse depression. The first step in recognizing subtle signs is knowing your individual horse and being familiar with the equine ethogram so you can distinguish species-typical behaviours from those that may suggest a problem. Depression in horses is a real, diagnosable condition with specific symptoms; I’d love to dive deeper into this in a future conversation.
3. Definitions to include:

• Temperament: A horse’s inborn way of reacting to the world—how sensitive he is, how quickly he startles, and how easily he settles. Temperament shows up early, is largely genetic, and remains stable over time. We can shape responses, but not the core reactivity.
• Personality: The whole picture—temperament plus learned patterns from experience and environment, along with quirks, preferences, and social habits. Personality evolves over time, but core traits tend to stay recognisable.

In short: Temperament is innate; personality is temperament shaped by environment and experience. By improving the environment and handling, we can influence (not replace) aspects of personality while respecting the horse’s nature.

To work or contact Joanna directly:

Book a Horse Personality Portrait: www.horsesexplained.com

Instagram: @horsesexplained

Media/Lessons/Workshops: [email protected]

Upcoming book: Understanding Horse Depression — releasing Spring 2026.  

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