More than just technical skill and trained movements, riding involves horse and human dynamically sensing and responding to each other. Horses’ superior tactile sensitivity and heightened perception of non-verbal cues suggest that, whether intentionally or not, the dyad is constantly communicating. This complex horse–rider interaction is anecdotally referred to in the equestrian world as “feel.” Although considered a valued attribute of talented equestrians, little is known about riders’ understanding and experience of it. This study sought to investigate professional riders’ perceptions of feel.
Read the full article here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08927936.2024.2436729