Behavior Flashcards
What is the value of a performance horse dependent on
The horses behavioral response to training and management
What kind of vision do horses have
Monocular vision on the side as well as binocular vision
They are always look for danger
What is anthropomorphism
Giving human traits to animals
What does it mean that horses are gregarious
They have a need for company
They are herd animals and instinctively follow a leader
Everything they do is based on instinct
What is reactive behavior
How horses react based on extremely perceptive senses
Usually body language, vocalization and reflexes
Behavior influenced by what
Evolution, genetics, age, gender, training, environment
What manner do horses behave in
In a way that is designed to maximize survival
They express this through communication, organization and sexual relationships
True or false: horses can be alphas
True, there is a pecking order in the herd
What is departure behavior
If something scares the horse, all horses will follow suit
This can be any horse not just a leader
Is hierarchy linear in a herd
No it can change all the time as horses grow old and can be outranked
Is it more important to be a horses leader or friend?
Leader
What do horses do if windy
Avoid it in cold weather and seek protection
Graze with tail towards direction of wind so cold air is going to backside rather than face which keeps body temp higher
What do horses do in the sun
Use it to warm body in cold temps
Will stand broad side to sun
What do horses do if predators are present
Run away since they don’t have claws or sharp teeth
Will fight if in inescapable situation
They have single toe which allows them to run on hard ground really well
Explain ingestive behaviors
Will graze 60% of time
Typically 14-16 hours
Describe eliminative behavior
Defecate every 2-3 hours and urinate every 4-6
What is sexual behavior driven by
Hormones
What is agnostic behavior
Fighting
How pecking order is established
What is mimicry
Social facilitation, if one does it they all do it
What is polyphasic
Two or more sleep periods
What is a horses sleep pattern on average
2 hours drowsy or resting state
3 hours sleeping
19 hours awake
Horses in a stall will sleep more obviously
What is stay apparatus
Allows horses to sleep while standing due to tendons in their legs that control leg flexion and reduce energy expenditure
What are examples of abnormal behaviors
Weaving, head nodding, shaking, pacing, pawing, cribbing
Why do horses like to crib
It’s a coping mechanism for stress
Cortisol secreted by adrenal gland so cribbing helps them reduce stress
What is training
A process of teaching horses how to respond to cues
Consistency and timing are importantly hallmarks of training
What is the best gift you can give your horse
Relief
Horses seek relief from pressure which is critical to learning
