Equine behavior and body language

What are signs of a relaxed horse?

ears forward/relaxed

head low/shoulder level

sclera not showing

no flaring of nostrils

tail relaxed

What are signs of an excited horse?

ears pinned forward

brow furrowed

tail slightly raised

some sclera showing

muzzle tense

nostril flared

What are signs of a nervous horse?

ears perked towards the source of concern

high head carriage

tension around eyes/sclera visible

high tail carriage

What are signs of a stressed/defensive horse?

ears pinned back

brow furrowed

tense neck

tail high or swishing

nostrils flared

tense muzzle

What are stereotypies?

repetitive actions or sounds

often arise from stress responses in horses and/or boredom

difficult to stop once formed

How do you prevent a stereotypie from forming?

keeping horses in a stimulating and non stressful environment

What are the basic needs horses get from friends?

mutual grooming reducing heart rate and relaxes them. 4-6 horses best

What are the basic needs horses get from forage?

16 hours a day eating, psychological need to chew, large volume low calorie

What are the basic needs horses get from freedom?

post inhibitory rebound after restriction. horses that live out most of time have reduced risk of injury

Why would horses yawn?

not because they are tired

thought to be a stress or mild pain response

some horses with mild abdominal pain/colic yawn more frequently

What is crib biting?

when a horse bites something like the stable door or a fence post

What is wind sucking?

when a horse crib bites and gulps in air

What is box walking?

repetitive walking often in circles around the stable or small paddock

repetitive pattern, can persevere for hours

may cause or exacerbate lameness

What is weaving?

rocking motion side to side, leaning weight over each foot and often bobbing their head of the stable door

may cause or exacerbate lameness

What are the best ways to prevent stereotypies?

friends nearby, able to mutually groom

regular supply of forage/feed (14-18 hours a day)

routine

toys in stable

mirror in stable

mental or physical stimulation

What are examples of owner perception of bad behavior?

bucking

rearing

napping

spooking

girthy

What can bucking and rearing be associated with?

pain

lameness

being fresh

rider error

What is napping?

resisting the bit/bridle when ridden, not moving in the direction the rider requests

What issues can napping be associated with?

neck pain

lameness

dental pain

rider error

fear

miscommunication

What are the most common reasons for spooking?

inexperienced horse

tense rider

pain

poor vision

loud noise/sudden movement nearby (genuine surprise/fright)

What does it mean for a horse to be girthy?

when the girth is being tightened on the saddle the horse may be reactive

What types of pain can being girthy be associated with?

gastric ulcers

musculoskeletal pain

What is an example of positive reinforcement with a horse?

owner gives the horse a treat as soon as the horse stands still, horse learns to stand still and calm so forms a positive association with standing

What is an example of negative reinforcement with horses?

pain when injected, horse reacts to pain by lifting head. gets away from the source of pain, this can progress to rearing when being injected or anticipating injection. can also be exacerbated if horse is ‘told off’ for lifting head= 2 negative stimuli

What are 4 ways to respond to an action to try and create a learned response?

positive reinforcement

negative reinforcement

positive punishment

negative punishment

What’s an example of a good negative reinforcement to make a response more probable?

releasing the pressure on the rope when the horse takes a step forward