Maternal Care Pattern Sequencing in Horses

A Field-Based Analysis of Neonatal Communication and Development

May 2026

This white paper presents Maternal Care Pattern Sequencing in equines, describing the structured patterns through which mares influence foal development. Based on detailed behavioral observation, the paper organizes maternal interaction into three primary processes: mobilization, regulation, and socialization.

Mobilization refers to the layered ways in which the mare supports the organization of the foal’s body and movement. Regulation describes how the mare influences shifts in the foal’s energy and intensity—when to increase and when to settle. Socialization addresses how the mare guides the foal to orient to and follow her, rather than other horses, establishing early relational structure.

While it is widely recognized that mares teach their foals to follow, the specific mechanisms of how this occurs have not been clearly defined. This paper proposes an observable model for these processes, offering a structured description of equine maternal interaction.

Is Your Horse Secretly Dysregulated

A Neuroethology Perspective about how Equines Achieve and Maintain Regulation

December 13, 2025

Is your horse truly calm—or just coping?

In this groundbreaking presentation, Is Your Horse Secretly Dysregulated?, Sharon Wilsie and her research team explore regulation not as behavior, but as a physiological state rooted in the nervous system. Drawing on neuroethology, maternal care pattern sequencing, and HRV (heart rate variability) research, this work reveals how horses learn regulation from the very beginning of life—and how many never fully do. 

Through real-world case studies, video analysis, and measurable data, you’ll discover how subtle body language, posture, and “micro-gestures” influence a horse’s internal state—and how humans can replicate these maternal signals to support true regulation. This presentation bridges science and feel, offering a powerful new lens on behavior, connection, and performance.

If you’ve ever wondered why your horse struggles to settle, connect, or recover from stress, this session will change how you see everything.