Equine Behavior

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to equine behavior discussed in the lecture.

Prey Animal

An animal that is often hunted by predators, such as horses, which are aware of their surroundings to avoid danger.

Dominance Hierarchy

A social structure in herd animals determining the rank of individuals, where the dominant animal leads by controlling the movements of others.

Flight Response

The initial reaction of horses to threats, where they try to escape from perceived danger.

Flehmen Response

A behavior in which horses curl back their lips to better analyze scents, often used for identification and locating resources.

Body Language in Horses

The non-verbal communication exhibited by horses through their posture, movements, ears, and facial expressions.

Visual Perception of Horses

Horses have excellent wide-field vision and an acute ability to detect movement but have blind spots and poor depth perception.

Sensory Awareness

Horses possess a highly developed sense of touch, allowing them to react quickly to physical stimuli and remain aware of their surroundings.

Domination by Movement Control

The process through which a dominant horse or human establishes control by dictating the movements and actions of others.

Chemical Restraint

The use of sedatives or anesthetics to calm or immobilize a horse for safety during handling.

Desensitization in Horses

The training technique used to reduce a horse's fear of previously frightful stimuli by gradual exposure.