In my work at Bodhi Horse Practice, I’m often asked what it means to approach horse behavior through equine ethology. In essence, it’s the study of horses’ natural behaviors in their original environments—how they live, interact, and communicate in the wild or semi-wild. This isn’t about recreating some idealized wilderness or even ‘natural horsemanship’; it’s about understanding how these instincts play out in the day-to-day lives of our domestic equines and then using that knowledge to support their wellbeing.

Unusual winter storms across the southern United States have pushed many horse caregivers into fast lessons about cold weather care, making blanketing a practical, context dependent tool rather than a rule to follow. Joined by dressage trainer Elizabeth King, Désirée explores how horse coats function as adaptive biological systems shaped by climate, genetics and lived conditions, how domestication alters those systems and why wet cold often matters more than temperature alone. The article looks at which horses benefit most from blanketing, common fit and waterproofing failures that create hidden stress and the importance of foundational winter care such as continuous forage, shelter and water access before reaching for a sheet. The focus returns to observation over ideology: noticing what each horse does in each set of conditions and adjusting accordingly.

Robert Anderson first contacted me after reading one of our Everyday Ethology articles. A physicist scientist by education, Robert had the rare experience of closely encountering orcas at SeaWorld San Diego between 1979 and 1980. He also has a long-standing relationship with horses, beginning on a ranch where he came to know thirty-two individuals, each with their own personality, preferences and social roles.