The phrase ‘horse sense’ is used to imply sound practical judgement. While there are many theories as to why the equine has come to symbolise gumption, veteran horse trainer Magan Singh Jodha believes this expression is not entirely correct.
“What I have observed is that horses have some kind of a sixth sense going for them. They are able to predict or arrive at quite intelligent conclusions,” he says.
“I clearly remember, two minutes before the earthquake hit Gujarat 11 years ago, all the horses in the stable here had started neighing loudly. They could foresee it happening.
“So, ‘common sense’ does not entirely justify the acumen of this great animal,” he claims.
No other animal has played the kind of role that the horse has in shaping human history. Be it Changez Khan, Maharana Pratap or Prithviraj Chauhan. The horses these valorous men rode are also remembered after centuries. They shared a special bond with their masters. On many occasions, the horses also supposedly read their masters’ minds and saved their lives.
The four-legged animals are no longer needed in battles, they now thrive on the race courses, and the bond they share with humans is evident here too.
As the horses go through their final spurts at the Mahalaxmi Race Course ahead of the McDowell’s Signature Premier Indian Derby, Magan Singh observes them closely. “Some horses do have a sense of the occasion. Especially, the one’s that have taken part in this derby before,” he says. “I believe they know that this is the day they have been training for.”
Magan Singh’s son Adhiraj, who is also a trainer, agrees with his father. He adds, “Horses are smart animals. They can gauge the mood of the person approaching them.
“For example, if a jockey is approaching a horse and he is not confident, the horse will sense it and will make it difficult for the rider. If the jockey is confident, the horse will be obedient,” Adhiraj says.
Veteran jockey-turned-trainer Malesh Narredu says that jockeys and trainers can often predict a horse’s performance on a given day.
“We are no astrologers. But we understand the horse’s psyche. They are moody and sensitive. We can say if it’s in the right frame of mind and hence, predict its performance on the day.”
A few years ago, Narredu, as a jockey had whipped a young filly as she had been difficult to control.“Later, she refused to let me ride her. I believe she remembered the whipping.”What amazes Narredu is that when he tried to ride it after a gap of five years, it did not let him do so.
“It possibly remembered me even though so much time had passed.”
Narredu believes there is more than just good memory that triggered the horse’s response.
He says that whenever he approached this filly, she was nervous because he had once whipped her. He believes that the horse possibly sensed this edginess in him and did not let him ride her.
“So it is important for both the horse and the rider to connect at a mental level. That’s why jockeys take the animals out for morning walks before the race,” says Narredu.
While man spends a lot of time analysing the quality of a horse, the animal knows it in a jiffy if a trainer or a jockey is good.
Magan Singh says, “Horses can sense whether a jockey is good. If they feel he is doing well, they give their best as they believe they are in good hands”.
The Indian Derby attracts thousands of enthusiasts. The huge crowds, the blaring speakers, music, the performers and the cameras everything that can affect the mood of the horse on the big day.
Experts say that the most important thing is to keep the horses in a good frame of mind. “Keep the horse happy” is what the trainers say.
“A happy horse will give its best,” says Adhiraj. “You can easily identify a happy horse. Its ears will be perked up, its eyes will have a twinkle and it will eat well.”
Humans believe animals usually take orders expecting certain rewards. They are trained by giving them something they like to eat after they follow an instruction. This is nothing new.
However, it isn’t as simple as that. Magan Singh vouches for it that the winning horse at a derby knows that it has achieved something big.
“When the horses are walked out before the race, all of them solemnly strut about. But later, the winning horse walks with a swagger. Especially when it is taken away from other horses and led through a different gate.
“Its body language is similar to that of a man walking with chest puffed out proudly,” he says.
Magan Singh believes that horses understand much more than humans think they do. And that the mental state of the horse plays as much role in its winning a race as that of its pedigree and the jockey.
He claims horse is the second most intelligent animal after the dog. “It’s also beautiful and symbolises grace and strength,” he says.
“Maybe that’s why they use the term ‘horse sense’. If you tell somebody that he/she has a cow or a dog sense, they wouldn’t take it as a compliment, would they?” he asks.
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