Horse Temperament typing: Do you know your horse’s love language?

Reading The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman was a real eye opener for me.

The five love languages of people are:

Words of Affirmation
Quality Time
Receiving Gifts
Acts of Service
Physical Touch

This book explained how good intentions do not replace giving a person what they want in relationships. This certainly helped explain to me why I am still single.

It also got me thinking about what the love language of a certain horse temperament, based on Five Element typing , would be.

Here is what I came up with:

Fire – Quality Time. The Fire horse temperament is all about relationship so spend lots of time grooming and hanging out with him.

Earth – Food. The Earth horse temperament is all about food so extra grazing time after a ride and the occasional treat will go a long way.

Metal – Respect. The Metal horse temperament wants to be respected and will not work for someone he does not respect.

Water – Safety. The Water horse temperament has to feel safe. An example of helping the Water horse to feel safe would be working at home with lots of obstacles and set up “scary” events to teach him to respond rather than react. Building his trust in you in his home area will prepare him for new environments.

Wood – A challenging job. The Wood horse temperament loves competing so give him lots of variety and difficulty in his work so he does not get bored.

So, good intentions are not the same as getting to know your horse’s love language and building a solid relationship. Madalyn

For more information about Five Element Horse Temperaments check out Horse Harmony

2 thoughts on “Horse Temperament typing: Do you know your horse’s love language?

  1. Jeannie C

    I think you are really on the right track – no two horses are the same and understanding what they need in a relationship goes along way in the partnership. It has to start in your own heart.

  2. Madalyn Ward, DVM Post author

    Jeannie,
    I have been a vet and horse owner for over 30 years and in the last few years I am seeing a real shift in horses becoming more partners than possessions. People are wanting to relate differently to their horses. I am sure glad to see the change. Madalyn

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