Problem Behaviours in Horses

Question 1

Examples of stereotypies in horses

Answer 1

Cribbing +/- wood chewing
Wind sucking
Weaving
Pacing

Question 2

Difference between cribbing and wind sucking?

Answer 2

Cribbing = horse bites hard surface then sucks in air
Wind sucking = does not bite hard surface

Question 3

What is weaving

Answer 3

Rocking from one leg to the other

Question 4

What needs to be ruled out before behavioural therapy
If not ruled out, what is compromised?

Answer 4

Physical/medical causes
Performance and welfare are compromised

Question 5

What is the purpose of a bit

Answer 5

Amplify the signal the rider is trying to send
Increased pressure to overcome horses resistance
Magnify pressure riders can apply

Question 6

Where do bits apply pressure

Answer 6

Can focus on different parts of the mouth, or the same area with greater force

Question 7

Why might punishment not show great results

Answer 7

Undermines the horse-human relationship

Question 8

What kind of conditioning is habituation

Answer 8

Classical conditioning

Question 9

What are the commonly accepted horse behaviour modification techniques

Answer 9

Habituation
Counter-conditioning (shaping alternative response through operant conditioning)

Question 10

What approach is favoured to treat unwelcome behaviour

Answer 10

Holistic approach (nurture horse-human relationship)

Question 11

Do animals remember positive or negative experiences more

Answer 11

Negative

Question 12

When starting behaviour modification, you should always try first to identify…

Answer 12

the causal factor

Question 13

Cause and therapy for biting/bite threats

Answer 13

Cause = deter approaching personnel
Therapy = refurbish horse-human bond

Question 14

Cause and therapy of claustrophobia

Answer 14

Cause = innate fear of enclosed spaces
Therapy = clicker train to approach, stand beside and enter enclosure

Question 15

Cause and therapy for difficulty bridling

Answer 15

Cause = learned evasion of discomfort
Therapy = identify aversive aspect of bridle, counter-condition with clicker training to stand quietly

Question 16

Cause and therapy for difficulty saddling

Answer 16

Learned evasion to past pain
Counter conditioning; clicker training to stand still

Question 17

Cause and therapy for difficulty shoeing

Answer 17

Learned evasion from fear
Habituation, counter-conditioning using clicker training

Question 18

Cause and therapy for dislike grooming

Answer 18

Ticklishness, learned evasion
Habituation, counter conditioning

Question 19

Cause and therapy for fear of vet

Answer 19

Innate aversion to pain, learned evasion to associated stimuli
Habituation, counter-conditioning to owner, then vet. Clicker train for approaching vet

Question 20

Cause and therapy for difficulty catching

Answer 20

Learned evasion
Clicker training for approaching person, extinguish association with leaving group

Question 21

Cause and therapy for refusal to load

Answer 21

Learned evasion +/- claustrophobia
Clicker training for approaching/entering, reinstall leading cues

Question 22

Cause and therapy refusal to stand while mounting

Answer 22

Learned evasion to bit, anticipates kinetic behaviour
Clicker training to teach to stand for longer periods

Question 23

Cause and therapy of rearing

Answer 23

Learned evasion
Reinstall leading cues

Question 24

Name common handling problems in horses

Answer 24

biting
claustrophobia
difficult to bridle/saddle
difficulty shoeing
dislike grooming
fear of vet
hard to catch/load
refusal to stand while mounting
rearing

Question 25

Horse agonistic response to conflict

Answer 25

bucking, rearing, balking or bolting, rushing fences

Question 26

Purpose of bucking/rearing

Answer 26

Response to fight conspecifics and predators

Question 27

Performance problems under saddle

Answer 27

Fatigue (lack of response due to lack of energy)
Tripping, toe dragging, stumbling, clumsiness (fatigue, conformation, hoof issue)
Hitting fences

Question 28

Common rider faults that confuse the horse

Answer 28

Nagging
Poor timing (signal after response)
Inconsistency (pressure release when desired behaviour displayed)
Failure to reinforce (by relieving pressure)
Inappropriate reinforcement

Question 29

Equine behaviour therapy relies on

Answer 29

Consider ethological relevance of the behaviour
Rule out pain and discomfort as cause
Apply learning theory

Question 30

Reasons why behaviour modification might fail

Answer 30

Inconsistent application of learning theory
Horse is physically unable to perform task