Equine Ethology

Hoku Lio Farms uses equine ethology-informed practices because they honor horses as sentient beings and aim to build meaningful, respectful relationships between people and horses through observation, kindness, and natural interaction rather than dominance or force. Their horsemanship programs focus on connection, trust, and mutual understanding so that humans and horses learn from one another, supporting emotional growth, confidence, and healing for participants. This approach also creates a safe, nurturing environment that reflects horses’ natural behavior and social needs, aligning with their mission to foster compassion and well-being for both animals and people. These practices are more cost and labor intensive and essential to our program and the well being of the animals.