Animal Behavior Notes
The first written observation of animal behavior was by
Aristotle.
Darwin laid the foundation for modern animal behavior.
The two types of learned behavior are: social and complex
Complex: capacity to acquire and apply knowledge
Social: any behavior caused by or affecting another horse
Influences on social rank:
1. age
2. size
3. aggressiveness
4. experience
Exp: leader of a wild band of horses is the dominant mare
There are nine behavior systems of horses:
1.protective
Exp: “getting the goat”
2. ingestive
Exp: use their upper lip to gather grass
-graze 12 hours a day
-drink 10-12 gallons a day
3. eliminative
Exp: use defecating to mark territory and protect from
disease
4. sexual
Exp: best cross in any animal species is the mule
8 signs of estrus:
-relax external genetalia
-frequent urination
-teasing
-desire for company
-mucous discharge
-smell and bite
-spread hind legs
-lift tail sideways
5. care-giving and seeking
Exp: foal late spring to late summer
6. Agonistic
Exp: four reasons horses make sounds:
-hunger
-distress
-sexual
-mother/young
Exp: Six vocal communications of horses and what they
mean:
-snort = warning
-neigh/whinny = distress
-nicker = greeting
-squeal = anger
-mating call = challenge other males
- mare talk =- talk to baby
Exp: Erect ears = interest
Ears straight back = anger
Twitch to tail = irritation
Raised upper lip = displeasing taste, pain in digestion,
smell droppings of females in heat
7. allelomimetic (gregarious)
8. shelter seeking
Exp: when it is storming outside they turn their butts to the
wind and rain
When it is hot, they turn their butts to the sun
9. Investigative
Most important sense in cueing a horse is touch
A horse grooms itself by rolling in the dirt
Digging at the stall floor with its front feet = Pawing
Eating of unnatural materials = Pica
Horse refused to leave the barn = Barn Sour
A result of rubbing the horse’s nose or giving it treats =
Biting
Can cause parasites to be ingested and low nutritional
value = Eating bedding
Rhythmical swaying back and forth while standing =
Weaving
Stereotypical movement about a stall = Stall Walking
Eating too fast = Bolting Feed
Deliberate attack with mouth open = Charging
Corrected by proper use of a lead shank or whip =
Rearing
Use a strong rope to prevent = Halter pulling
Biting or setting the teeth against some object =
Cribbing
Pad the stall or use chain or stick to prevent this =
Kicking
Use a tail board or electric wire to prevent this = Tail
Rubbing
Always stay to the side of a horse and never in front of
it = Striking
Caused by boredom, nutritional inadequacies, or
psychological stress and habit = Wood Chewing
Restraining Horses:
-Accidents are common
-Consider safety of animal and handler
I.Tying
-Free from obstacles
-Tie short 18”-24”
-Slack doesn’t get feet in rope
Cross Tie: restricts movement more
Rope- 6-8” off of ground
Quick release knot
II.Hobbles
-Very good to restrain if won’t let you tie
-Hold up a leg to be shod
Hock Hobbles: used to prevent mare from kicking
Large Cotton Rope – prevent rope burn
III.Twitches
-Used for years – grab upper lip and roll up
-Skin on shoulder and roll it with hand
-ear: pull outward with hand makes head shy; don’t twist or
bend
-Loops: placed on upper lip and twists can harm horse
-Kendal twitch: one of softest
IV.Chemical Tranquilizers
-relieve anxiety and tension
-only in extreme situations
-only vet should administer
Loading and Hauling:
-try to load easily and ride calmly
-usually don’t load if they have had a bad experience or are
entering unknown territory
I.Loading
-time and patience
-should not be a painful process
-reward the horse
-repeat daily
-use a parked trailer to feed
-load an older horse first
-use soft rope around its rear
-ride in trailer for only 15-30 minutes the first time max
-use lip chain and whip if necessary only
II.Handling
1. Bumper pull trailer
-1-2 horses
2. Gooseneck trailer
-larger, so weight is distributed
-easier to handle
-larger turning radius
-safer