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36. How Animals Detect Human Nervous System States Through Scent
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Brenda has often shrugged off the question, “Can horses really smell fear?” But in this episode, she takes a closer look—and the research is fascinating.
When someone walks into their first equine session feeling nervous, it’s not just body language the horse is picking up on. There’s now scientific evidence that animals, including horses, can detect chemosignals—part of the odors released through human sweat that reflect emotional states like fear or calm.
One study Brenda shares involves a group of 40 retrievers exposed to human body odor samples. The dogs responded differently based on the emotional state tied to each scent. Similar studies are now being done with horses, and early results are showing the same kind of nervous system alignment.
Horses have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell. They don’t just react in the moment—they remember scents, too. This adds a whole new dimension to the healing encounters that happen in equine-assisted therapy. It’s not just about how humans approach the horse physically, but also what they’re unconsciously communicating through scent.
Brenda emphasizes how this research opens the door to a fuller picture of what's really happening during treatment. These chemical signals—things we often don’t realize we’re giving off—can shape the way an encounter unfolds, whether we intend it or not.
It’s a humbling realization. As Brenda points out, it challenges practitioners to consider not only the emotional needs of the humans in the space but also the subtle cues the horses receive.
By paying attention to these less obvious factors, we gain a deeper appreciation for the human-animal connection—and for the complexity of healing work done alongside our four-legged partners.
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References:
Janet Jones, Ph.D., (2020). Horse Brain: Human Brain: The Neuroscience of Horsemanship. Trafalgar Square.
Palumbo, R. V., Marraccini, M. E., Weyandt, L. L., Wilder-Smith, O., McGee, H. A., Liu, S., & Goodwin, M. S. (2017). Interpersonal autonomic physiology: A systematic review of the literature. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 21(2), 99–141. https://doi-org.pgi.idm.oclc.org/10.1177/1088868316628405 Semin, G. R., Scandurra, A., Baragli, P., Lanatà, A., & D’Aniello, B. (2019). Inter- and Intra-Species Communication of Emotion: Chemosignals as the Neglected Medium. Animals (2076-2615), 9(11), 887. https://doi-org.pgi.idm.oclc.org/10.3390/ani9110887
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