Equine Behaviour Flashcards
What are visual signals in horse communication?
Facial movements and muscle tension around nostrils, mouth, and chin
Includes clenched jaw, dilated nostrils, and fixed stare.
What is a major trauma for foals during early management?
Weaning
High vocalization and locomotion observed; reduced if foals are weaned in pairs.
What happens to young stallions separated at a young age?
They do not learn social skills, leading to reproductive problems
Early separation can hinder their development.
What are stereotypies in horses?
Locomotory or oral behaviors
Helps animals cope and may reduce stress or frustration.
What can lead to abnormal behaviors such as weaving or box walking?
Lack of social contact and separation anxiety
Frustration due to inadequate housing.
What are oral-based stereotypies related to?
Feeding practices and early weaning
Examples include wind sucking and crib biting.
What is the role of smell in horse communication?
To identify environment and detect pheromones
Involves the vomeronasal organ and curling the top lip.
What are the four basic types of vocalization in horses?
- Nicker
- Whinny (neigh)
- Squeal
- Groan
Each has different meanings, such as greeting or expressing distress.
How do horses communicate aggression visually?
Escalating levels from mild signs to high arousal states
Includes laying back ears, tail swishing, and elevated head.
What is the significance of a horse’s wide field of vision?
Helps maintain visual contact with the herd
Horses have large eyes positioned on the sides of their heads.
What are the effects of group size and space allowance on horse behavior?
Aggression increases as space decreases
Confrontations are likely when supplementary feed is provided.
What impact does social isolation have on horses?
Maintaining contact through vocalization
Horses use various sounds to communicate in social contexts.
What is the relationship between social bonds and group cohesion in horses?
Grooming and pair bonds play a big part
These interactions help maintain group cohesion.
What type of vision do horses primarily use for navigation?
Monocular vision
Provides a wide field of view but creates two blind spots.
What happens during male-female interactions in horse social behavior?
Males show increased interest in females during oestrus
This is characterized by high posture and exaggerated gait.
How do stallions defend their harems?
By patrolling the edges and defending females
This occurs more frequently when ranges overlap.
What is the impact of confinement on male horse behavior?
Leads to real fighting and injury
In situations where males cannot escape, mock fighting can escalate.
What defines the structure of social groups in feral horses?
Single male harem bands are most common
Stable hierarchies are particularly observed among females.
How does group size affect resource control in horse populations?
Larger groups have more control over resources
This varies with climate and habitat.
What are the main reasons for changes in horse herds?
Death or birth
Changes may also occur through young moving between bands.
