Mixed elements
5 Elements and when elements mix
The five elements of a horse's personality are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. In a nutshell, you could say Wood horses are dominant and fearless, Fire horses are expressive and emotional, Earth horses are reliable and calm, Metal horses are competent and responsible, and Water horses are timid and sensitive. Understanding a horse's main element can provide insight into its behaviour and needs, and help maintain its health and well-being by getting a synopsis of the manual.
And whilst most horses have a dominant element that comes out mostly, horses actually possess characteristics from all types. For example, training can have one effect on the type, while living conditions can have another. Seasons, aging, even gender plays a part. Some negative influences can even temporarily alter the basic personality so much that it is no longer recognisable. The basic personality is usually best observed when the horse has the space and freedom to be itself which will also benefit its health.
Mixing types
Some mixes can make the horse a bit more volatile, and some will calm each other down. You can nearly envisage it: Wood and Fire? Wow, that will give a lot of heat! Earth and metal? Pretty stagnant and stoic. Water and Earth, sludgy and sticky, but not nearly as slippery as Water alone. Fire and Earth, baked earth can crack, can't it, you might risk some shards. Water and Fire will create a lot of steam, will the Water extinguish the Fire, or will everything just become blurred?
I personally really like the Wood and Metal combinations as they have the right combination for long distance rides, enough oomph without the adrenaline addiction. For dressage a Fire horse with some Earth, but be careful not to break it. Or perhaps Fire and Water, but you'll get a super sensitive prima donna ballerina that needs to be handled with kid gloves. A showjumper will work great with Wood and Fire if kept under control, similar for eventers. A happy hacker will always have Earth as a main element, af some Fire for fun, or some metal for extra trustworthiness, and some water for a good spook?
I hope all these descriptions and this last blog with the mixing and influences have given you some interesting insights.
Is your horse mainly one element? Or is it a mix?
Which type suits you?
The element theory (Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal) applies to all living beings. The five main personality types are therefore not only relevant for horses, but also for people. If we try to look at ourselves objectively, we can recognize one or more types in ourselves. It can help to know your own type as it could help with your partnership. Not every personality type is suitable for the purpose people may have in mind for the horse. Being aware of this helps prevent disappointment and a lot of trouble for both parties. For example, if you are an earth type, you can imagine that you would not be happy with a wood-type horse. If you just want to go for a relaxed ride and this type only wants to go all out because he wants to win, you will both return to the stable disappointed.
Mixed Types, Life Phases, and Seasonal Shifts
Whilst seeing the blogs about the different elements, some of you have said: "my horse sounds like two of those types!" Or: "But my horse used to be more curious—and now she just wants to stand quietly." And you are correct. Most horses are a mix. Just like people, horses are rarely just one thing. While one element type usually stands out as dominant, most horses have a blend of traits. The typing is to notice which energy feels most central – and which might be a response to life experience. Here are some influences that can shape the central element of a horse.
Age Changes Expression
Most foals have a lot of Water energy, this is because they are a prey animal and they evolved to flee and slip away. When horses mature, they will come into their real element, but that changes again when they get older. A young Earth-type foal might act like a Fire type for a while – bouncy, curious, full of energy. That doesn't mean they've changed. It just means their stage of life is more active, and that energy may soften over time. The same goes for older horses. A formerly expressive Fire gelding might mellow into a more Metal-like demeanour with age.
Gender Plays a Subtle Role
The Wood element is very much connected to male energy and hormones, so stallions will always show some more Wood type behaviour. Hormonal shifts after gelding can therefore seem to be a change of element, but it just means the animal's actual main element can show without the influence of hormones. The absence of strong hormones in geldings can soften sharp traits or make certain types harder to distinguish.
Mares, on the other hand, can be just as powerful, but often show up in relational or emotional intelligence rather than in outward movement. There is a connection to water energy. During a mare's cycle, that energy can change a little; some literally go very "Watery", some mares even get a little stallion-like, but the core character remains and returns after the cycle.
Seasons Shape Energy
The time of year can also affect how your horse shows up. Fire horses may feel extra fizzy in the summer. Water types might seem more withdrawn in winter. Earth horses often shine during seasonal transitions, while Wood types thrive in spring. These shifts don't change your horse's core type, but they do shape how it's expressed. So if your usually calm Earth-type seems fidgety in spring, or your Water mare becomes clingy during autumn storms, that's not inconsistency. It's nature and part of their type.
