by Tom Brennan

Created on: July 21, 2009   Last Updated: July 23, 2009

Pets, including animals we have a working relationship with, do present an issue of emotions. Humor, the ability to express an activity that results in enjoyment by us, is one of them. Working with horses you can often observe a visible sense of curiosity, a tendency to play with objects, a sense of "fun", such as in young horses playing and running. We imprint, or anthropromorphisize our own emotions on animals. This is a very real, and is one of the important byproducts of having a positive attitide in the human/animal equation.

This can be destructive when it is taken to an extreme. Although I enjoy my relationships with my horses, there is no way that they are at this moment wondering where I am or what I am doing. Their interests are entirely self-oriented. If there is a choice between food and my attention, I come second. Horses are herd animals, they are either the sole leader, the "alpha" or they are followers. In our relationship, I must be the "alpha" at all times for the relationship to be a safe one and successful. Full attention is necessary when working with horses because they are generally sensitive to the alpha, in a fight or flee situation, survival depends on quick reaction to the alpha's lead. Training or riding demands that you give the best cues and signals to the horse so that they pay full attention to you.

The horse has developed a sense of dependency that reads your physical motion, tone of voice and even the stress of your seating as signals about their reactions. Because the horse (and other domesticated animals) have developed a sense of dependency and relationship with their owners/ caretakers, they are sensitive to things that effect that relationship. Thus they react when we show pleasure, positive actions such as rewards and praise, etc. Our response to their antics gives them the assurance of the continuation of the relationship and rewards and food.

Do pets have a sense of humor? We like to think so. Is it true ? I have never seen or heard my horse telling a joke to his pasture buddies. I have seen him play with them and seem to enjoy it. He plays pranks and steals my hat, gloves, tools etc. I usually laugh and this is what seems to be the connection. He senses my pleasure through my attitude and actions, this re-enforces his sense of relationship and my being his "alpha" and guaranteeing his safety and wellbeing.

He knows that continued actions such as this will contunue the relationship to his benefit/ survival. He has learned to contunue this behavior because of the reward involved. Does he have a sense of humor, I like to believe it, this is all part of the enjoyment of owning an animal with whom I have a form of relationship. And it is in learning how to develop and enjoy this relationship with an animal that I can have even better relationships with other people.

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