A recent scientific study has revealed that horses can smell fear in humans and are behaviorally affected by it, which can directly impact their interaction with riders and trainers. In a series of tests, horses that smelled the scent of people watching horror films appeared more tense and frightened, with an increased heart rate and a reduced tendency to approach their trainers, compared to those that smelled the scent of people watching cheerful scenes. If these results are confirmed in future studies, it would indicate that fear is contagious between humans and horses; the volatile compounds in human sweat act as a warning signal of potential danger. Dr. Leah Lansade from the University of Tours in France, who participated in the study, said: "Our results show the close interconnection between animals and humans; we, unconsciously, transmit our emotions to animals, which in turn affects their psychological state." Dr. Plutine Garda, also a participant in the study, stated that although people may find it difficult to control the smells they emit, riders and those in charge of horse care should be aware of their emotions and their potential impact on these animals. In addition to horses, numerous scientific studies show that dogs are also capable of smelling fear in humans and reacting to it clearly. Researchers have noted that dogs become more alert or anxious and may tend toward defensive or protective behaviors when they sense the fear of their owners or those around them.
