Equine Behaviour

Daniel Mills BVSc, MRCVS is a Veterinary Surgeon and Senior Lecturer in Behavioural Studies at De Montfort University, Lincoln, from where he also runs a referral behaviour clinic, and Kathryn Nankervis BSC (Hons), MSc is a Lecturer in Equine Physiology at De Montfort University, Lincoln. She is also the founder of the Equi-Tutor Learning Programme.

Preface vii

Acknowledgements viii

Part One: Understanding Behaviour Concepts 1

1 Approaches to the Study of Behaviour 3

What is behavior 3

Ethology versus psychology 6

A brief guide to conducting a behaviour study 9

Conclusion 15

Topics for discussion 16

References and further reading 16

2 Origins of Behaviour 18

An evolutionary approach to understanding behavior 18

Lamarck versus Darwin 19

Genes not individuals 22

Evolutionary throwbacks and genetic jumps 26

Adaptation and apparent stupidity in domestic horses 27

Evolution and the variety of behavior 29

Conclusion 31

Topics for discussion 31

References and further reading 32

3 The Evolutionary History of the Horse 33

Introduction 33

Early evolution of the horse 38

The arrival of Equus 43

The origins of the modern breeds 45

Domestication and its consequences 47

Topics for discussion 52

References and further reading 52

4 The Lifetime Development of Behaviour 53

Instinctive and learned behaviour, what is the difference? 53

Sensitive phases for specia1 times specific associations 56

Using play for better management 58

Using natural biases in development to improve management 60

Conclusion 65

Topics for discussion 65

References and further reading 66

Part Two: Mechanisms of Behaviour 67

5 The Processing, of Information 69

Introduction 69

The nervous system 69

Neural transmission 72

Central processing 80

Behavioural motivation 84

Autonomic and somatic nervous system 88

Topics·for discussion 89

References and further reading 90

6 The Special Senses 91

Sight 91

Hearing 99

Chemoreception 102

Cutaneous sensation 107

Topics for discussion 108

References and further reading 108

7 Communication and Social Organisation 110

Communication 110

Social organisation 125

The composition of the group 129

The social structure of the group 129

The dynamics of the group 133

How horses defend their resources 134

Conclusion 136

Topics for discussion 137

References and further reading 137

8 Sexual and Reproductive Behaviour of Horses 139

Basic genetic foundation of the individual’s sexuality 139

Normal mare specific behavior 140

Normal sexual specific behaviour l49

Modifiers of the genetic blueprint 153

Conclusion 160

Topics for discussion 160

References and further reading l60

Part Three: The flexibility of Behaviour and its Management 163

9 Learning and Training 165

Psychological processes 165

A few basic procedures 167

App1ying reinforcement to train new behaviours 176

Punishment and its problems 180

General guidelines to training new behaviours 182

Learning beyond a change in behaviour 183

Training techniques for problem behaviours 186

Conclusion 193

Topics for discussion 164

References and further reading 194

10 Welfare 196

Understanding welfare 196

What is right is not always the same as what is good 196

Measuring welfare 197

ls the domestic horse a fish out of water? 205

Stereotypies 210

Principles of treatment for stereotypies and other behaviour problems 220

Conclusion 224

Topics for discussion 224

References and further reading 225

Appendix 226

Index 227