Exploring Professional Riders’ Understanding and Experience of Feel Within the Equestrian Dyad

More than just technical skill and trained movements, riding involves horse and human dynamically sensing and responding to each other. Horses’ superior tactile sensitivity and heightened perception of non-verbal cues suggest that, whether intentionally or not, the dyad is constantly communicating. This complex horse–rider interaction is anecdotally referred to in the equestrian world as “feel.” Although considered a valued attribute of talented equestrians, little is known about riders’ understanding and experience of it. This study sought to investigate professional riders’ perceptions of feel. Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted online (6 female, 3 male, M = 49.38 ± 17.9 years) exploring the riders’: (1) understanding of the concept of feel; (2) recognition of feel in self and others; (3) perceived influential factors; and (4) perception of the horse’s role. Interviews were analyzed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis. Four key themes were generated from the data to represent the riders’ understanding and experience: (1) feel as an ideal (2) feel as a training tool, (3) feel as feedback from the horse, (4) feel as self-awareness. Feel is perceived as a multifaceted skill, with physical, cognitive, and emotional components, which is key to optimizing performance and equine welfare. Good feel is believed to distinguish exceptional riders and be a transcendent experience. However, it is regarded as difficult to teach. Riders emphasized the influence of their body and mind on the horse, and a need to appreciate horses’ communication and sentience and develop a reciprocal connection. Further investigation into riders’ experience of feel within the dyad is warranted.