Behavior & Body Language

Significance of understanding animal behavior and body language?

May prevent you, your team, your client, and/or your patient from being harmed.

What aspects of the dog are key parts of the body to pay attention to when deciphering body language?

Eyes, ears, mouth, tail, hair, overall body posture and movement.

What are aspects of cattle you would observe for understanding their behavior and body language?

Relation to herd, the tail, total body posture, noise, where they are looking.

Where is a cow's point of balance?

The shoulder.

What are some signs of agitation for our cattle creatures?

Vocalization, pacing, pawing, or head-shaking, urinating and defecating, bellowing, kicking.

A tail between the legs may indicate what of our cattle creatures?

Pain, scared, or cold.

A tail lifted upward may indicate what of our cattle creatures?

Exploring or alert.

A tail parallel to the ground that slopes downward may indicate what of our cattle creature?

Galloping

What are important factors about horses as a species that are important to keep in mind when interpreting their behavior?

They are prey animals and herd animals

Signs of aggression/fear in horses

• Ears pinned back

• Tense mouth and showing teeth

• Nostrils flared

• Wide eyes

• Tail flicking up

• Body tense

What do ears being up and pointing forward indicate in a horse?

Relaxed

What do ears being up but pointing to the sides or slightly back indicate in a horse?

They are listening

What do ears pinned back toward the head indicate in a horse?

Anger

Ears slightly pinned back/to the side in a horse can indicate…

listening or fear

A horse showing its teeth with eyes closed is likely…

yawning

A horse showing its teeth with eyes open/wide is likely…

showing anger or aggression

Flehman response

Response to encountering new horses or mating in horses, lips lifted up, not worrisome

What is this horse doing?

Flehman response

Relaxed head carriage in horses

Neutral to lowered position

A horse swishing its tail in a down position could indicate…

aggression

Signs of pain/discomfort in cattle

staggered stance, giving attention to a certain part of their body

Signs of anger in cattle

• Lowered head

• Quick motions of the head

• Stamping feet

• Huffing

Should you approach a mother with a calf?

No

What is this dog likely feeling?

Fear

What is this dog likely feeling?

Anger/aggression/fear

What is this dog likely feeling?

Happy/relaxed

What is this dog likely feeling?

Relaxed

What is this cat likely feeling?

Relaxed

What is this cat likely feeling?

Fearful

What is this cat likely feeling?

Defensive - defensive threat posture

What is this cat likely feeling?

Aroused/defensive

What is this horse likely feeling?

Relaxed

What is this horse likely feeling?

Fearful

What is this horse likely feeling?

Angry

What is this cow likely feeling?

Relaxed

What is this cow likely feeling?

Fearful

What is this cow likely feeling?

Anger