Can horses really smell human fear according to the study?

Yes, a new study published in PLOS One found that horses can detect fear in humans by smell, influencing their behavior.

How did researchers test if horses can smell fear?

Researchers collected odor samples from human armpits after they watched scary videos and observed horses' reactions to these scents.

What are the practical implications of horses smelling human fear?

The study suggests handlers should focus on staying calm, as their emotional state can be transmitted to horses through scent.

Home / Science / Horses Smell Your Fear: New Study Reveals Shocking Connection

Horses Smell Your Fear: New Study Reveals Shocking Connection

15 Jan

•

Summary

Horses can detect human fear through smell, becoming more wary.
Odor samples from fearful humans increased horses' startle responses.
Research suggests emotional contagion between humans and horses via scent.

Horses Smell Your Fear: New Study Reveals Shocking Connection

New research indicates that horses possess the remarkable ability to detect fear in humans via scent. Scientists collected odor samples from human participants based on their emotional responses to various videos, then exposed horses to these distinct smells. The study observed a clear physiological and behavioral response in the horses.

Specifically, horses that encountered odor compounds from fearful humans exhibited increased startle responses and showed less curiosity towards unfamiliar stimuli or people. This suggests that human emotions can be transmitted to horses through smell, a phenomenon described as "emotional contagion."

The findings, published in PLOS One, highlight the importance of a handler's emotional state during interactions with horses. While humans cannot directly control these emitted odors, a key recommendation for riders is to focus on remaining calm and relaxed to ensure safer and more harmonious exchanges.