Clinical Equine Behaviourist

My blog exploring the science of horse behaviour and how that can influence our domestic horses lives

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Thanks to #veterinarypractice for publishing my recent article

As it is common to stable #horses more often during the winter, it is important to recognise early stages of stress and prevent the development of more significant behaviours.

For October’s equine column, Kayna Prescott of Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors - APBC discusses identifying and reducing equine stress during box-rest and winter stabling:

https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/identifying-and-reducing-equine-stress-during-box-rest-or-winter-stabling

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"I don't give my horse treats as it makes them bite" Really? What has been your experience? Behaviour happens for a reason. So if nudging your pockets or hand results in you giving a treat to your horse then the next time your horse tries that strategy but you don't offer a treat then that could escalate their behavious to more investigatory using their teeth, which if successful can lead to them learning that biting can lead to treats. But We can also consider what the emotion is behind the biting. How and when treats are delivered can have a big effect on the horses emotional arousal. If the treats are randomly given the horse has no idea what initiates treat arrival. This could cause frustration and the horse could then bite out of frustration. Food can be a very useful and safe part of training if used correctly. #positivereinforcment #horsebehaviour #happyhorse #goodmanners #horseblog https://www.instagram.com/p/CQTzhJJH4q-/?utm_medium=tumblr

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It's National Sleep Day 💤

Inside or outside? Straw or shavings? How does your horse prefer to sleep?

Unlike us horses don't have 1 long sleep each day, instead they have several short periods of sleep which together total about 3-5 hours each day. One type of sleep is spent standing whilst drowsing, the classic position with a resting hind leg. They also need to have a period of time each day lying flat out to achieve REM sleep. As a prey species they have to stay safe and lying flat out is a very vulnerable position. A horse needs to feel safe in their environment to fully lay down and achieve adequate sleep.

This photo shows horses in various natural sleep postures. The group is stable and feel safe with a friend watching over them whilst sleeping at pasture. If they are not in a stable social group or are alone they may not feel safe to sleep like this.

Studies have shown that when stabled horses lay down more in a larger stable. When given the choice horses have chosen a straw bed and on a straw bed they will achieve longer bouts of lying flat out.

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Thanks to everyone that joined me at the webinar last night with The Horse Trust. We had some great questions come in. I will do some posts about some of the references I used over the next few weeks. Keeping up to date with the latest research is such an important aspect of my work. We touched briefly on how different types of management can affect aggression rates and the amount of stress related behaviours shown.

My group of horses are enjoying some space, group living, a variety of forage choices and forage presentations this winter

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Thanks to everyone that joined me at the webinar last night with The Horse Trust. We had some great questions come in. I will do some posts about some of the references I used over the next few weeks. Keeping up to date with the latest research is such an important aspect of my work. We touched briefly on how different types of management can affect aggression rates and the amount of stress related behaviours shown.

My group of horses are enjoying some space, group living, a variety of forage choices and forage presentations this winter

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To rug or not to rug - the social affect — Brighter Equines

Many horses wear rugs at some point during the year but does wearing rugs effect their behaviour towards their companions and are those beha

Shall I rug my horse today? Are they too hot or too cold? But what about how rugs can affect their social behaviour? Horses are social animals and use social behaviours to build bonds in groups.

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Self Isolation and Choice — Brighter Equines

Choice is linked to positive behaviour outcomes, we are more likely to feel happier, healthier and will persevere longer if we have the perc

Isolation is tough, as many of us are discovering, having choice and control removed is challenging. We can increase our horses well being and positive experiences by giving them opportunities to make choices in their everyday.

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It's not all about the ponies on national dog day

#nationaldogday #horsebehaviour #horsebehaviourconsultant #horsetraining

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LIMA - Least Invasive Minimally Aversive

Do you work and train your horses with LIMA principles in mind ?

LIMA is a principle that every rider and trainer should be considering in every aspect of their work with horses.

🐴 When your training your horse is it with clear and concise aids that don't create conflict?

🐴 Do you train your horse in small successive steps, with their physical and mental ability leading your decisions?

🐴 Is your training for their well being ?

🐴 Is your tack well fitted and professionally checked ?

🐴 Are you using a bit or bitless bridle that uses the least amount of pressure?

🐴 Can you remove aversive attachments like flash nosebands, draw reins or strong bits? Can you find a trainer to help you achieve this ?

🐴 Does your horses life include turnout with other horses?

🐴 Do you provide enrichment for your horse ?

🐴 Does your horse always have access to forage ?

Every one of us can look at our horses life through a LIMA lense and make a change.

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A moment between friends under the shade of the Oak tree on a hot day.

This hot weather is beautiful but how does your horse manage in the heat. Horses cope better with cold weather than hot so it is important to ensure they have suitable shelter to escape the sun and the flies. Standing nose to tail with friends also helps rid them of flies on their face.

#horsefriends #horsebehaviour #hothorse #relax

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Thinking outside the box

Does your horse kick out or snatch their hoof away? Does your horse need sedating for the farrier ? By rewarding the behaviours you want you

Using clicker training to think outside the box with behaviour problems

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My horse wont leave his friend

Does your horse nap? Will he leave his friends? Does your horse get anxious when other horses leave him ? Separation anxiety is a common pro

Napping can be a real problem for horse owners, creating stress and upset for the horse having to leave his herd

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The Ethics of Handling Feral Ponies

I often have the pleasure of working with feral ponies, they are incredibly brave souls who have big fears to overcome.The initial handling

A look into my work with Feral Ponies

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How do I stop my horse chewing the fence !

A recent case I saw involved a horse that chewed fences, the brand new post and rail fence was quickly being ruined by the horse and various

Does your horse chew wood - check out my blog to read up on a recent case study I saw

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SuperCob Away!

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Because she's worth it #windswept #shetlandponv

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Training methods

How do horses learn? How are you influencing your horses behaviour? How is your horse motivated to learn new behaviours ?

Understanding how your horse learns is crucial for us horse people. We are all reading about the latest new method or taking on a new trainer. If you can understand how they are influencing your horse, if they are triggering avoidance behaviours or seeking behaviours, if they are being as ethical as they say they are. By understanding how your horse is learning you can look past the marketing hype and really understand the learning methods you are putting your horse through.