Equine Behaviour

Equine Behaviour is an individual module course. It can be studied in its own right or part of a greater qualification, such as a certificate or diploma.

At the end of this course, you have an optional exam. If you take and pass the exam, you will receive a Statement of Attainment qualification. If you do not wish to sit the exam, but pass all assignments, you will receive a Course Completion letter.  

You can view information on exams by clicking here.  

 

 

Sample Notes from the Equine Behaviour Course

Lesson 1

INTRODUCTION: INFLUENCES AND MOTIVATION

Aim: Identify factors affecting equine behaviour.

The study of equine behaviour provides a foundation for training and horse care. There are aspects of behaviour that are unique to equines, and other aspects of behaviour that are shared with all types of animals. Though horses do share some behavioural characteristics with people, it can be dangerous to assume too much similarity. Equine behaviour appears to be far less affected by choices reached through reasoning.

WHAT IS AN EQUINE?

Equines are animals that belong to the scientific genus “Equus” 

Equines include six living species; which collectively are called “Horses” 

These six species are: 

·       Mountain Zebra (Equus zebra)

·       Plains Zebra (Equus quagga)

·       Grevy Zebra (Equus grevyi)

·       Onager (Equus hemionus)

·       Wild Donkey (Equus africanus)

·       Wild Horse (Equus przewalskii) 

Note: The modern domesticated horse has developed as a form of the wild horse. It differs genetically to the wild horse in having two less chromosomes in its genetic make up.

 

The scientific name of the domestic horse is: Equus przewalskii f. caballus (ie. F. = form)

WHY STUDY EQUINE BEHAVIOUR? 

The principal reasons for studying equine behaviour are: 

·    To be able to understand and recognise “normal” behaviour and from this be able to identify and do something about “abnormal” behaviour. This is particularly important as it allows horse owners to be able to recognise signs of distress / stress, allowing the management and care of the horse(s) to be improved.

·    Knowledge of equine behaviour can also assist in training. By knowing how a horse is likely to behave in a certain situation allows the rider to prepare for an eventuality, and to either avoid or resolve that particular situation in an informed manner. 

·    When selecting breeding animals it is important to determine if behavioural problems are “man-made” or the result of genetics. Breeders can selectively breed undesirable behaviour traits out of a bloodline and vice versa.

EQUINE ETHOLOGY

Equine ethology is the scientific study of equine behaviour. Technically, ethology is the study of animals in their natural habitat. The ethology of horses is quite complex but there are some notable behaviours that make the horse unique in the animal kingdom, these include:

·    Horses are strongly social

·    They are herd animals and are very comfortable when they can see other horses

·    Horses are seasonal breeders

·    Males tend to form separate male subgroups at certain times of the year

·    Horses are considered a prey species in the animal kingdom.

·    Horses are capable of strong pair bond relationships

·    Horses are herbivores, or plant-eating animals

·    They rely on grazing grasses and leaves for food

·    Horses typically show a tendency for imitation between young and old

(Source: University of Kentucky)

It can be seen from the above list that the behaviour of the horse is defined by its niche as a social prey species. There has been a long association between horses and humans and many features of equine behaviour suggest a predisposition to inter-species co-operation.

Unfortunately, many of the traits which ensured the survival of the horse’s ancestors are difficult to accommodate in the domestic environment. The importance of dominance in human understanding of social systems has tended to overemphasise its importance in the human-horse relationship.

The evolving horse-human relationship from predation to companionship has resulted in serial conflicts of interest for equine and human participants.

Only by understanding the nature and origin of these conflicts can ethologists encourage equine management practices which minimise detrimental effects on the behaviour and welfare of the horse.   

WHAT MOTIVATES EQUINE BEHAVIOUR?

It is assumed that all animal behaviour is an adaptation designed to support survival, either directly or indirectly. This is not always the case though.

Animals can behave self-destructively, out of habit, or out of boredom, just as humans can.

When dealing with certain aspects of behaviour that we consider problematic or difficult, we need to determine where the behaviour has come from.

There are two prime motivators:

1.     Genetic (inherited) characteristics, and

2.     Experience (learned) characteristics

Genetics are of prime importance. Genetic characteristics are also sometimes referred to as “inborn”, “innate” “inherited” or “instinctive”. Most animals are genetically programmed to act in certain ways in certain situations. Horses all possess behaviour patterns, inbuilt from their wild ancestors.

Experience equates to “learned characteristics”. Experience may encompass terms including: “acquired”, “experiential” or “environmental”. These behaviours are learned through the experience of interacting with the environment (which includes the people or other creatures in it), or can be learned through personal, subjective experience (perceptions, thoughts and feelings). In the case of horses, these latter factors are usually difficult to identify.

Since genetic and environmental factors both influence behaviour, it is very difficult, if not impossible to distinguish exact causes for a particular behaviour.

Most behaviour is likely to be influenced by a blend of both genetics and experience. It is best to assume no behaviour can ever be characterised as totally instinctive or totally learned. Even when you feel confident that behaviours are predictable, the interplay of unknown influences (perhaps genetic) mean that an animal may never be totally predictable.

While learned and genetic factors both play a role in all behaviours, the relative significance of each is variable. Some behaviours in animals can be relatively “unlearned” and therefore, almost impossible to modify. In such cases, we can determine that genetics is the major influence.

Other behaviours are relatively easy to modify, thus mostly “learned”. In such cases, we can determine that genetics has a minor influence.

There is a formula that describes the interactive relationship be between genotype and environment:

ph + f (g, e)

(Where ph = phenotype (external features), f = function, g = genetic, and e = environmental aspects)

Studying and understanding equine behaviour becomes important when: selecting animals for breeding purposes, training young horses, working with a trained horse, or retraining “difficult” or abused older horses.

It is important that a horse owner has an understanding of the relationship between the environment and various behaviour patterns and recognises the limitations of their influence.

This can help to determine what kind of environment an owner has to offer the horse in order for him to express his “normal” behaviour.

 

 

 

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