Horse Behavior and Training

Horses are social animals and are most comfortable when they can maintain visual contact with other horses.
Exhibiting imitation behavior is common, especially between young and old horses.

Genetic behaviors:
- Some behaviors are instinctual, allowing horses to interact with their environment for survival.
Learned behaviors:
- Many behaviors develop as horses respond to their surroundings.

Reactive Behavior:
- Ensures harmony with the environment; involves quick responses to potential dangers.
- Includes:
- Reflex actions
- Communication (vocalization)
- Seeking shelter
Ingestive Behavior:
- Encompasses eating, drinking, food preferences, and daily feeding routines.
Eliminative Behavior:
- Refers to urination and defecation patterns.
Sexual Behavior:
- Involves courtship and maternal activities, influenced by hormones and some learned actions.
Epimeletic Behavior:
- Caregiving behavior among horses, such as mutual grooming to remove flies or a mare licking her foal after birth.
Agonistic Behavior:
- Related to conflict: includes fighting, fleeing, and establishing dominance.
Allelomimetic Behavior:
- Imitative behavior where one horse copies another, particularly in group settings (e.g., approaching water).
Investigative Behavior:
- Curiosity about new environments; exploration declines with familiarity but returns with environmental changes.
- Foals are typically more curious than older horses.
Grooming Behavior:
- Involves both mutual grooming and self-grooming techniques (rolling, shaking off dirt).
- Horses alleviate insect irritation through muscle contractions and using their tails to swat.
Sleep and Rest Behavior:
- Sleep restores physiological health; horses often rest while standing to conserve energy.

Normal Behavior Patterns: Essential for identifying issues such as:
- Weaving, pacing, self-mutilation, and other compulsive actions.

Human Safety First: Priority in all equine interactions.
Calm Training Environment: Avoid sudden movements and loud noises to prevent startling horses.
Proper Handling: Use of halters and lead ropes correctly is crucial, avoiding hooks and loops around the body.

Learning Through Cues: Horses learn through repeating cues that become associated with specific responses.
Clear Communication: Ensure cues are distinct to avoid confusion during training.

Always reinforce positive interactions; every interaction is a learning experience.
Assess the horse's current training level to set achievable goals.
Written Plans: As part of training, keep records to see progress and adjust as necessary.

Horses should walk calmly beside the handler without pulling or pushing.
Regular hoof care is crucial; train horses to accept hoof handling.
Teach important commands like ‘wait’ for safe maneuvering through gates or doors.

Vision: Horses have approximately a 220-degree field of view but have blind spots directly in front and behind.
Hearing: Horses excel in hearing, responding well to high-pitched sounds but may react adversely to loud noises.
Touch: Sensitive areas include mouth and flanks; proper grooming tools are necessary to prevent discomfort.
Smell: Important for social interactions, especially in mating behaviors and foraging.

Treats can motivate training but should be healthy and given in moderation.
Examples include apple slices, carrots, and specialized horse treats that promote good digestive health.