Equine behaviour

Question 1

Origin of equids

Answer 1

Four ancestral breeds (subspecies)
Originally, most horses were ponies
A pony is <14.2 hands high
4 inches to a hand measured from sole of foot to withers

Question 2

Animal behaviour of wild horses

Answer 2

(Przewalski ‘wild’ Horse)
Live in bands (harems) of 10 to 20 horses
Time audit, daylight
45% time eating
15% moving
35% resting
Night
Lie down for about 10% of time (longer in foals)

Question 3

Domesticated horses animal behaviour

Answer 3

Large groups of mares with stallions split themselves into bands controlled by a stallion
Younger colts and fillies stay with group until 2-3 years old
Then live alone for a few months
Join a new group
Stallions tend not to breed their own daughters
Young stallions may from bachelor bands
Groups of mares and geldings with no stallion often group together under a boss mare or gelding
In a band, relationships (dominance) are linear
Dominance determines order in which horses obtain resources e.g.
Access to stallion (if mare in heat)
Drink at a waterer

Question 4

Grazing behaviour in horses

Answer 4

Time grazing: preference 60 to 80% of daylight hours grazing
Can eat sufficient in 4 hours on good pasture
Only lie down for 10 to 15% of day

Question 5

Pasture utilization

Answer 5

Horses avoid feces (latrines)
Avoid forages with a lot of stem
Results in roughs and lawns (good areas)

Question 6

Smell in horses

Answer 6

Use the sense of smell to identify their surroundings
Pheromones given off by an individual horse help identify it to others
Signal sexual receptivity

Question 7

Hearing in horses

Answer 7

Far better developed than in humans
Use low, quiet voices
Ears move independently of each other in a 180 rotation
Where a horses’ ears are is where its thoughts are
Ear position gives clues regarding a horses’ mood

Question 8

Vision in horses

Answer 8

Eyes are very large
Eyes positioned on sides of head
So can see 340 degrees
Blind spots - very poor vision:
Directly in front for 1m
Directly behind them.
Diagram of Visual Field
Have small range of binocular vision
Visual streak in retina with high concentration of receptors
Horse adjusts position of head to see objects in 3D
Extend head to look at distant objects in 3D
Flex head to look at ground
Limited color vision
Blue and green
Very good monochromatic vision
Particularly in low light
Monocular vision, poor focusing
Black mats or water puddles look like deep holes
Horses can fear objects seen many times before that is in a different position
Different colors may cause a horse to spook

Question 9

Touch in horses

Answer 9

Very important sense for a horse
Tactile hairs on muzzle and around eyes
Lips are very mobile
More sensitive around head (especially the ears) , legs, ribs and flank areas
Mutual grooming – important social aspect

Question 10

Types of vocalization and what it means in horses

Answer 10

Squeal or scream – threat
Snort - fear
Whinny (neigh) - greeting
Blow – curiosity
Nicker – quiet communications

Question 11

Laying down and standing up in horses

Answer 11

Lying down
Place all 4 feet beneath body
Collapse
Standing up
Extend fore legs first
Push up with hind legs
Where should you stand when a horse lies down or stands up?
To the side, right side preferably

Question 12

Risks for human injury while handling horses

Answer 12

Horses are large and powerful animals
Kick – ACCURATE!! Can range 6-8 feet (2-3 M); can kick to the side
Strike – front legs
Bite - not usually, but when they do they can cause serous injury
Run you over
Step on your feet
Crush injuries – frightened or startled horses will always try to escape perceived danger and run right over top of anything in its way

Question 13

Risk for animal injury while handling horses

Answer 13

They develop strong social relationship with their herd mates
Separation causes anxiety
Injuries from capture/restraint equipment
Attempts to escape chutes or fenced areas
Injuries from housing
Nails, broken boards, and wires

Question 14

Flight zone in horses

Answer 14

Flight zone is 3 – 10 M
Ensure that the horse looks at you when you approach
Evasive manoeuvre – wheel away, leaving you facing the hind quarters
Do not approach from the rear
When passing behind either give room or stay very close
Never stand directly in front of a horse

Question 15

Indications for restraint in horses

Answer 15

Safety
Veterinary personnel
Patient
Client
Legalities
Liability for injury

Question 16

Equine capture: the approach

Answer 16

Approach in a curve to the withers
Do not look at the face directly (predatory); instead look at withers
When approaching, speak gently in a low confident voice.
Scratching the withers is a calming gesture seen in mutual grooming
If the horse starts to move away – stop and stand quiet till the horse is calmed.
Never rush at the horse

Question 17

Halter

Answer 17

Halter is the basic restraint tool
Rope
Leather
Nylon webbing

Question 18

Lead shank

Answer 18

Lead shank should always be attached with a snap or knot

Question 19

Chain lead

Answer 19

Chain lead may be used for more control
It is passed across the bridge of the nose
Used to reinforce authority (similar to a choke collar on a dog).
Do not have the chain under constant pressure!!
More severe chain restraint is passing the chain under the upper lip and onto the gum of the upper jaw.

Question 20

What to do while restraining a horse

Answer 20

Horses should be held not tied for veterinary procedures
Handler always stands on the same side as the vet
If the horse does act up handler:
Pulls head towards them if needed
Swings hind legs away

Question 21

The rope/tie in horses

Answer 21

Properly tied horse
Location of rope on fence – level with the shoulder or higher
Tied to a solid post preferably
Length of rope – should be relatively short
Tied with a quick release knot
Never leave a tied horse unattended!!!

Question 22

Loa

Question 23

Loading problems in horses

Answer 23

Reluctance to load
Helpful hints
Open the escape door and put a rope across it
Lets light in, you out
Rope/bar keeps horse in
Make sure the brake is on so that everything is stable
Load an ‘easy’ horse first
Back horse in
Use a lunge line behind the butt
Train as foals

Question 24

Warning signs of horse aggression

Answer 24

Ears flattened backwards
Rapid tail movement
Snaking
Pawing
Squealing
Threats to kick

Question 25

Aggression towards people in horses

Answer 25

Usually in stalls Due to dominance or fear e.g. painful experience May be able to counter condition by offering treats, grooming or exercise

Question 26

Aggression Towards other horses

Answer 26

Breeding, dominance, territorial Can introduce new horses gradually Separated by two fences Protects from kick injury Castration may help

Question 27

Maternal aggression in horses

Answer 27

In the first few days after delivery Accustom mare to care givers prior to delivery Minimize contact during this period

Question 28

Stallion aggression

Answer 28

Overused Out of season Doesn’t like mare Tend not to want to mate mares they were stabled with when they were colts Forced mating results in aggression

Question 29

Treating stallion aggression

Answer 29

Change mare Consider AI Physical restraint with hobbles Desensitization and clicker training

Question 30

What can trigger stereotypies

Answer 30

Boredom can trigger, lack of: Social interaction Forage Exercise

Question 31

Cribbing is

Answer 31

Stable Vice / Oral Stereotypy Grasp object with upper incisors and suck air into esophagus and stomach Predisposing factors (mostly feed related) Weaned in a stall rather than at pasture Kept in a stall following weaning Being fed concentrates Lack of time at pasture Lack of straw bedding in stall More susceptible to colic Also called wind sucking and aerophagia

Question 32

Wood chewing

Answer 32

Eating wooden fence posts or building material Particularly a problem in horses kept indoors Fed concentrate or hay cubes and no long stem hay or straw Treatment Provide more roughage Long stem hay Pasture Turn out

Question 33

Weaving

Answer 33

Repetitively moving head from side to side, may be accompanied by shifting weight on fore legs. In a stall/stable/barn, Usually in front of an opening

Question 34

Box walking and risk factors

Answer 34

Repetitively walking around the edges or side of a stall. Similar to weaving, less common Often seen prior to feeding or turnout Risk factors Mature warmbloods or thoroughbreds Weaned in a stall/stable/barn Kept in a stall/stable/barn Not turned out to pasture every day Lack of multiple open windows Lack of straw bedding Lack of forage

Question 35

Consequences and treatment of box walking

Answer 35

Consequences Increased risk of colic Treatment Provide mirror More turn out More social contact (windows) More forage

Question 36

Reproductive behaviour in horses

Answer 36

Sexually mature at 2-3 years of age Seasonally polyestrous Do not cycle in fall/winter Unless under lights Cycle every 21 days if not pregnant Gestation is 340 +/- 20 d.

Question 37

Breeding in horses

Answer 37

Pasture breeding Stallion runs with mares and breeds them as they come in heat Stallion (stud) often housed separately from mares Mare brough to stud(s) to determine if she is in heat (teased) Or determined by ultrasound

Question 38

Stallion courtship

Answer 38

Prances Sniffs mare May show flehmen Raising head and curling upper lip up while sniffing Nuzzles and grooms mare

Question 39

Mare courtship

Answer 39

Not ready (proestrus) Ears pinned back Squeal Kick at stallion Move away Potentially dangerous Tease with a solid barrier between stallion and mare Mare in heat (estrus) Stand still Lift/deviate tail Urinates Squat Wink Eversion of the vulvar labia Turns hindquarters towards stallion and stands for mounting Mares often rectally palpated or ultrasounded when in estrus to better estimate time of ovulation Usually towards the end of estrus

Question 40

Parturition in horses

Answer 40

Udder gradually enlarges during last month of pregnancy Teats enlarge and point slightly to the side Close to parturition Colostrum on ends of teats Dried beads Waxing Starts a few days prior to parturition Dripping milk: parturition within 24 h. Pelvic muscles slowly relax in the month before parturition Hollow area appears either side of tail head Vulva swells and relaxes Parturition within days

Question 41

First stages of labour in horses

Answer 41

Restless Kicking at belly Looking at flanks Sweating Look for quiet secluded place May not foal if onlooker Use camera

Question 42

Second stage of labour in horses

Answer 42

Begins with rupture of allantois Normal foaling is now rapid and explosive 20 to 40 minutes

Question 43

Third stage of labour in horses

Answer 43

Passage of placenta Can be tied in a knot while it hangs to help passage Placenta normally passes within 3 hours of foaling

Question 44

Mare bonding with foal

Answer 44

Mare stands and licks her foal May nicker May lie down and roll for up to an hour Foal stands typically within 1 hour Sucks colostrum within 2 hours

Question 45

First month of foal life

Answer 45

Spend first month close to dam Period of dependence Sleep frequently

Question 46

Socialization period in foal

Answer 46

2 to 3 months Explore Play with foals Colts mount and fight more Fillies groom and run more Colts only groom fillies Fillies groom both sexes

Question 47

When to handle foal

Answer 47

Should be gently handled during first 42 days of life

Question 48

4 months and after of foal

Answer 48

Spends more time grazing and resting Period of increasing independence

Question 49

Why do mares reject foals

Answer 49

First time mums or foals with a painful udder may: Accept foal But not let suckle Tranquilize, restrain and assist foal

Question 50

First time mom foal rejection treatment

Answer 50

May run away from foal Treatment Quiet, relaxing environment Food treats Restrain mare May have to foster foal onto another mare

Question 51

Rejection of foal with aggression

Answer 51

Kick or bite foal Hereditary? Protect foal Partial barriers to allow suckling Counter conditioning with rewards Fostering

Question 52

Principle of fostering foals

Answer 52

Mare that has recently lost foal Restrain mare so that she has to allow sucking Make it difficult for her to identify new foals Put strong smelling ointment on muzzle to restrict her sense of smell Vicks vapor rub Blindfold mare

Question 53

How to make foal more acceptable to a fostering mom

Answer 53

Scent of natural foal Cover with skin from dead foal Wash dead foal and then apply to new foal

Question 54

What to do to help foal during fostering

Answer 54

One restrains mare Lead rope Tranquilize if necessary Rope divider One assists foal to find teat Foal should be kept away from mares head

Question 55

What to do with foal after feeding form foster mom

Answer 55

Remove foal to adjacent pen Mare must not be able to see foal Repeat process every 2 hours When mare starts to call to foal, allow her to sniff If successful, will bond in in 24 to 48 hours

Question 56

The twitch on horses

Answer 56

Nerve stimulating device that may immobilize horses and can be helpful in restr Nerve stimulating device that may immobilize horses and can be helpful in restraint Most twitches are applied to the upper lip of the horse Horses that have been twitched previously will throw their heads and tighten their lips to prevent you from putting the twitch on. Use sparingly!

Question 57

Loop twitch of chain or rope

Answer 57

The most common method – loop is placed over the thumb and 3 fingers (fig 7 - 19 in text) pinky prevents the chain from sliding down your arm. Grasp the end of the horse's lip, raise the hand with the twitch on it and slide it onto the horse's nose. The twitch is tightened until the horse responds by standing still

Question 58

Humane twitch

Answer 58

problem is that pressure is mild and horses are able to ignore it

Question 59

Skin twitch

Answer 59

pinch a small amount of skin on the neck just above the point of the shoulder and rolling it around a clenched fist