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
