Horse Behaviour Flashcards
What can cause unsettled behaviour in horses at grass in the summer months?
- Frustration at the flies and heat: showing signs of distress such as kicking their belly and flank area, swishing their tail more, and some horses try to run away.
- Sweet itch: especially in the early mornings and late evenings when midges are around, horses who suffer from sweet itch will itch their mane and tail excessively.
- Hay fever: head shaking or itching their nose along the ground.
- Mares in season: may cause fighting, especially if mixed with geldings.
How does stabling horses go against their natural lifestyle?
- Horses are herd animals. In the wild they feed on vegetation within the herd, wandering over grasslands in search of food. A dominant stallion leads the herd to food/water and gives warning to impending danger. The rest have a pecking order.
- Horses today have an unnatural environment where they are separated from the herd and fed on dry manufactured feeds at intervals of the day, and can be stabled with limited turnout. Some horses may become anxious if stabled alone and develop bad habits through boredom.
What are signs a horse may be nervous when it is stabled?
- They may look anxious (body language), not eating and not resting.
- They may pace around the box (box walking).
- Examples of body language: the horse will hold their head high, eyes wide, ears pricked, nostrils flared and blowing. Their body will be upright and tense, or they may dance around passing a few droppings. Their breathing may be rapid and shallow, flanks heaving slightly. They may also sweat.
What is a wild horse’s two defences?
Flight or fight.
What other body language may horses show in new situations or in anticipation?
They may rear, and if they feel threatened from behind, buck.
How should you approach a nervous horse?
Quietly, and maybe offer it some food to help gain it’s trust. You should talk quietly, be gentle and make no sudden movements.
How can you gain a horse’s confidence?
By being calm, quiet and confidence. The horse should feel that you are not nervous in any way, and it should feel that you are in charge but not aggressive. You should also establish a consistent routine.
What should you/the horse wear in situations leading a horse?
Gloves, hat and suitable footwear. In certain situations you should choose a bridle over a headcollar for more control.
Where should a new horse be stabled at a new yard?
- In a box in a quiet area, with a quiet horse who is not fazed to help keep the new horse settled. This depends on the horse as some horses prefer to be somewhere with lots going on.
- Ideally the stable should be an isolation box, or if not one with no contact with other horses, in case it is carrying any disease.
- Box should have hay and fresh water already in it. Watch the horse for a few minutes to settle, and then check in 1/2 hour.
What are the signs a new horse has settled in its stable?
- It will eat and drink quietly.
- A distressed horse may stand at the front trying to get out, neigh, rush around, not eat, and may have loose droppings from stress.
How should you introduce a new horse into a field?
- Before, try hacking it with other horses in the group, so they can become comfortable in a controlled environment.
- Turn out the horse with one other gelding/mare so they can meet new companions gradually if possible. You should also put boots on the horse for protection.
- When you turn the horse into a group, watch them until they settle. Initially there will be a lot of cantering, squealing, bucks and possible kicking, to establish a pecking order.
- If practical you could remove the horse’s hind shoes to prevent serious damage if it kicked another horse.
Why might a stabled horse be difficult to catch in a field?
- Anxiety from not being used to the field.
- Preference to stay out at grass then to come inside.
What can you do to catch a difficult horse?
- Leave a headcollar on, but there is a risk it could cause injury if it gets caught.
- Try catching the other horses first and see if it follows, or use feed (but be careful if other horses are in the field.)
What do you need to consider when your horse lives out in different weather conditions?
- If it’s wet and windy in the winter and there’s little shelter in the field, then your horse may need to be stabled at night.
- In the summer months, the horse may get too hot without any shade, or may become distressed with flies, so it may be better stabled during the day and out at night when it’s cooler.
When may a horse lying down in a field be concerning?
This is normal in the summer months. If the horse is lying down in wet and cold conditions, especially if it is away from the other horses, they may be in trouble as usually when the herd lies, a few will stay standing to keep watch.
