Stereotypic Behaviors

Question 1

what are stereotypic behaviors?

Answer 1

repetitive with unvarying behavior with no obvious goal or function that are linked to sub-optimal environments or poor welfare

Question 2

stereotypic behaviors affect ___% of horses?

Answer 2

10-20%

Question 3

list 3 oral stereotypes.

Answer 3

crib biting, wood chewing, flank biting, teeth grinding, tongue rolling, lip smacking

Question 4

list 3 locomotor stereotypes?

Answer 4

weaving, pawing, kicking, stall walking, fence pacing, head nodding

Question 5

cribbing is one of the most common stereotypic behaviors T/F?

Answer 5

true

Question 6

are wind sucking and cribbing the same?

Answer 6

no; wind sucking has no solid structure grabbing

Question 7

potential biological causes of cribbing?

Answer 7

beta endorphin release, stress coping

Question 8

has research supported cribbing being copied?

Answer 8

no

Question 9

potential physical causes of cribbing

Answer 9

GI tract irritation/ulcers
foals
mature horses –> buffering saliva

Question 10

name a few cribbing consequences?

Answer 10

dental and gum damage
displacement colic
weigh loss
facility damage

Question 11

management for cribbers?

Answer 11

muzzles, cribbing collars
no chew substances, metal
crib rings, modified Forssell’s procedure where cutting of muscle occurs

Question 12

flank biting locations?

Answer 12

flank, chest, shoulder

Question 13

categories of flank biting?

Answer 13

response to pain
misplaced male social behavior
presentation of behavior without the above

Question 14

issues with flank biting?

Answer 14

harmful and draws blood

Question 15

how to manage flank biting?

Answer 15

ID underlying cause and fix it
castrate stallions
meds to calm horse
enrichment and socialization

Question 16

issues with wood chewing?

Answer 16

mouth/GI tract injuries
wood splinters –> enterolith –> colic/impactions
ingestion of toxic chemicals

Question 17

how to manage wood chewing?

Answer 17

24/7 access to quality forage
adequate diet
access to pasture
express their natural behavior

Question 18

causes of fence pacing?

Answer 18

anxiety, stallions = hormone driving
separated from friends
feed anticipation

Question 19

how to manage fence pacing?

Answer 19

keep groups together
ample forage

Question 20

stall walking vs stall weaving?

Answer 20

walking: circuit around stall
weaving: shifting weight from LF to RF over and over (bad for legs)

Question 21

causes of stall walking/weaving?

Answer 21

confinement, needs not being met, weight loss and development of hoof and leg issues

Question 22

how to manage stall walking/weaving?

Answer 22

keep groups together
turnout
ample forage

Question 23

why are we concerned about these behaviors?

Answer 23

can hurt the horse
horse can lose value
extra energy= hard keepers
damages to facility
banned from certain facilities

Question 24

risk factors for these stereotypical behaviors?

Answer 24

low social interaction
lots of stalling with solid walls
little turn out
high grain, low forage diet
genetics
stressful life
stressful weaning

Question 25

preventing behaviors?

Answer 25

turn out!
friends
low stress weaning
forage!!
windows
stall toys

Question 26

managing these behaviors?

Answer 26

increase turnout, social interaction, and forage
collars, muzzles, surgery
question the environment