MIRROR NEURONS: THE BASIS FOR OBSERVATIONAL LEARNING

Until 1998, brain scientists didn’t know the basis for observational learning. Then researchers discovered mirror neurons. Brain cells that code action, mirror neurons do not cause muscles to execute action—neurons in the motor cortex do that. Instead, mirror neurons prepare motor neurons to perform specific tasks, the way a symphony conductor lifts the baton before the music begins. For example, when I pick up a cup, my mirror neurons tell my motor neurons to be ready to alert my muscles to execute that action. Fair enough. But here’s the shocker: When you watch me pick up that cup, the mirror neurons in your brain fire the same way and at the same strength as they do in mine. In other words, these microscopic mirror cells do not distinguish between my action and yours. It’s remarkable when you think about it: My action is represented by your neurons!

This also occurs among horses, and we can use the activity of mirror neurons to encourage desirable behaviors. For example, when a horse watches an equine friend load into a trailer quietly, his own mirror neurons fire. Both the friend and the observer are calm, so neither horse’s neural firing includes fraught emotion. As the observing horse sees this tranquil activity repeated, his neural connections for “loading-minus-fear” strengthen. Later, when the observer is loaded on his own, his brain will help him stay calm. Fear has been etched out of the neural equation.

Mirror neurons are equally helpful to riders. Developing riding skill is largely a matter of honing the activation patterns of a bunch of motor neurons in the brain. Mirror neurons allow us to activate the coding of those cells merely by watching someone else ride. So, when you can’t participate, at least get out there to the arena and watch.