Nervous Systems, Not Naughty Horses: How Polyvagal Theory is Changing the Way We Train

Have you ever walked into the barn and felt your horse respond to your mood—before you even touched a lead rope? Maybe they tensed up when you were frustrated, or turned soft and curious when you were calm. This isn’t magic. It’s biology.

I’ve been exploring a concept called Polyvagal Theory, and it’s changing the way I approach horsemanship—especially with my mustangs and my more sensitive horse, Tango.

What Is Polyvagal Theory?

Developed by neuroscientist Dr. Stephen Porges, Polyvagal Theory explains how the autonomic nervous system governs our responses to safety and danger. It’s the science behind fight, flight, freeze… and connection.

The vagus nerve, a long cranial nerve, influences how mammals—including horses and humans—respond to stress or feel safe. It operates through three states:

• Ventral Vagal – Calm, connected, safe

• Sympathetic – Fight or flight mode

• Dorsal Vagal – Shutdown, freeze, disconnection

In short, our bodies (and our horses’) constantly scan for cues—what Porges calls neuroception—to decide: Am I safe? Or am I in danger?

Why It Matters for Horses

Horses are prey animals. Their survival depends on being able to feel subtle shifts in energy, tension, and movement. They’re constantly reading our posture, tone, breath, and intention—even when we’re unaware of it ourselves.

If we bring stress or frustration into the paddock, their sympathetic system may activate: tension, fidgeting, flight responses. If they feel overwhelmed and helpless, they might shut down into dorsal vagal mode—often mistaken for “stubbornness” or “laziness.”

But when they feel safe, attuned, and connected? That’s the ventral vagal state—and that’s where learning, curiosity, and real trust live.

From Pressure to Presence

Traditional training methods often rely on pressure and release. And while that can work, it frequently activates a horse’s stress response. They may comply, but not from a place of confidence or connection. The result? A horse who obeys but doesn’t trust. Who “goes through the motions” but stays guarded.

I’m shifting the focus.

With horses like Dublin and Ryder, formerly wild mustangs, I’ve found that training from a parasympathetic state—using soft breath, clicker training, food rewards, and intentional stillness—invites them to relax and engage without fear.

My goal isn’t just a well-trained horse. It’s a well-regulated nervous system—in both horse and human.

Co-Regulation: The Invisible Conversation

One of the most beautiful parts of this approach is that it’s not just about training your horse—it’s about training yourself.

When you slow your breath, ground your body, and soften your gaze, your horse feels it. You become a co-regulator—a source of safety and stability. And that’s when the magic happens:

• A flick of an ear toward you

• A soft blink

• A deep exhale

• A quiet moment of connection

These are the real milestones. Not just side-passes or collected canters. But moments when your horse says, “I trust you.”

Start Tracking It: Free Journal Page

To help bring this awareness into daily training, I’ve created a free printable journal page to track both your horse’s nervous system and your own. It’s a tool to deepen reflection, improve your timing, and honor the subtle shifts that matter most.

📄 Download the Polyvagal Horse Training Journal

Polyvagal_Horse_Training_Journal.pdf

Download PDF • 5KB

Final Thoughts

Your horse isn’t being dramatic, defiant, or difficult. They’re communicating. Through their body, their breath, their movement. And the more we understand their nervous system—and our own—the more we can move from control to connection.

So next time you walk into the barn, try this:

Breathe. Slow down. Notice.

Training might just become a conversation instead of a command.

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Written by Erin Stone at The Fox & Crow Farm, where I believe the best horsemanship starts with presence.

Emma working with our mustang Ryder