Dealing with Problem Horses

These flashcards cover key concepts related to understanding and managing problem behaviors in horses, aimed at helping students prepare for their exam on horse training.

Problem Horse

A horse that repeatedly shows undesirable behavior, often out of habit.

Bucking

A common problem in horses where they jump or kick their hindquarters upwards.

Herd Bound

A behavior in which a horse is overly attached to its companions and resists being separated.

Spooking

A reaction in horses to sudden stimuli, causing them to startle and often move away.

Rearing

When a horse raises its front legs off the ground, often indicating distress or resistance.

Positive Reinforcement

A training technique that rewards desired behavior to encourage its repetition.

Habituation

The process by which a horse gradually becomes accustomed to a stimulus through repeated exposure.

Desensitization

The process of reducing a horse's sensitivity to stimuli by gradually exposing it to them.

Ground Manners

A set of behaviors that ensure a horse respects personal space and behaves appropriately on the ground.

Temperament

A horse’s characteristic mood or behavior that affects how it responds to stimuli.

Imprinting

A rapid form of learning that occurs at a specific time during the horse's early life, often within the first 48 hours.

Associative Learning

A learning process where an animal associates a specific response with an object or situation.

Aggression

Behavior displayed by a horse in response to fear or discomfort, which may appear malicious.

Novelty Seeking

The tendency of a horse to explore new situations and environments.

Harm Avoidance

A characteristic in horses that leads them to avoid potential dangers or discomfort.

Calmness under Pressure

A key aspect of good horse handling that helps in preventing unwanted behaviors.

Forward Movement

Encouraging a horse to maintain motion in a forward direction to prevent issues.