#horsebehaviour

[brighterequines]

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

[brighterequines]

"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

[brighterequines]

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.

[brighterequines]

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.

[brighterequines]

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.

[brighterequines]

How have you made your horses life more interesting? Enrichment is a crucial and often overlooked part of horse ownership. One of the best ways to enrich your horses life is to create choice, hay nets at different levels, small holed, large holed and free access. This can replicate natural grazing and browsing behaviours and encourages movement in a stable or paddock.

There are numerous food orientated horse toys or puzzles that are available to buy, ensure they are introduced slowly so they don't cause high levels of frustration.

Itching posts or soft pillows for eye rubs can help horses that haven't got other horses to mutually groom with or suitable trees for scratching on.

Adding clicker training to your horses life, with free choice as to if they decide to engage is a great enrichment activity, creating choice, empowerment and increasing confidence.

The ideas for enrichment are endless and they don't have to cost a fortune. I would love to hear any of your ideas

Some of the photos show enrichment activities from Terri Hill Livery yard

#horseenrichment #horses #horsewelfare #horsebehaviour

[brighterequines]

Aggression - What's with the angry face ?

I often see aggressive horses during my day, from a “typical grumpy mare” to very dangerous, proactive aggressive cases.  In a natu

My most recent blog, is your horse shouting to be heard? #horsebehaviour #horseblog

[jilmona-blog]

#TrueFriendship #HorseBehaviour #Herd #Wielkopolski 3/14/15