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The behaviour of horses in relation to management and training
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cises is to make the dog more tractable. In addition, however, they help the owner progressively to establish confidence when dealing with their growing PUPPY * The veterinary profession can perform an invaluable service to the dogowning public. Veterinary surgeons see most dogs when they are still young, when their owners bring them in to receive “puppy shots”. It is important that owners are convinced that anti-aggressiveness exercises must be done while the dog is still a pup, i.e. while it is still manageable. In addition, veterinarians can do themselves a favour; puppies that are brought in for injections are often returned if they have medical problems later in life. It is in the interests of the practising veterinarians (and their assistants) that their animal clients are well behaved, easily manageable and not likely to bite.
THE BEHAVIOUR TRAINING
OF HORSES IN RELATION
TO MANAGEMENT
AND
M. KILEY-WORTHINGTON Ethology
and Neurophysiology
Group,
University
of Sussex,
Brighton
(Gt. Britain)
ABSTRACT
Behavioural problems of horses are common. It is argued that although the behaviour of horses has been modified by domestication, much of their behaviour remains identical to their wild counterparts. This behaviour evolved to be the most appropriate in the natural environment. A blue-print that can be useful in reducing problems is to design environments, both social and physical, to cater for horses’ psychological and physical needs. Examples were given of how the environments associated with weaning, social groupings, and breeding could be redesigned to be more appropriate. An understanding of learning theory and social organization can help the trainer to reduce behavioural problems. Another approach is to attempt to understand the horses’ world. This is in part possible by studying the species-specific characteristics of the receptors, the brain and the analysis of information, and the methods horses use for communication. The indications are that visual perception is acute. Horses are very sophisticated visual communicators. We have less information about their olfaction, gust&ion and hearing. Vocal communication consists of an analogue system indicating general levels of “excitement”. The importance of tactile communication has been under-estimated, although used widely in training. The brain anatomy gives some idea of the relative abilities of the horse in analysing sensory information and coordinating motor activity.
cises is to make the dog more tractable. In addition, however, they help the owner progressively to establish confidence when dealing with their growing PUPPY * The veterinary profession can perform an invaluable service to the dogowning public. Veterinary surgeons see most dogs when they are still young, when their owners bring them in to receive “puppy shots”. It is important that owners are convinced that anti-aggressiveness exercises must be done while the dog is still a pup, i.e. while it is still manageable. In addition, veterinarians can do themselves a favour; puppies that are brought in for injections are often returned if they have medical problems later in life. It is in the interests of the practising veterinarians (and their assistants) that their animal clients are well behaved, easily manageable and not likely to bite.
THE BEHAVIOUR TRAINING
OF HORSES IN RELATION
TO MANAGEMENT
AND
M. KILEY-WORTHINGTON Ethology
and Neurophysiology
Group,
University
of Sussex,
Brighton
(Gt. Britain)
ABSTRACT
Behavioural problems of horses are common. It is argued that although the behaviour of horses has been modified by domestication, much of their behaviour remains identical to their wild counterparts. This behaviour evolved to be the most appropriate in the natural environment. A blue-print that can be useful in reducing problems is to design environments, both social and physical, to cater for horses’ psychological and physical needs. Examples were given of how the environments associated with weaning, social groupings, and breeding could be redesigned to be more appropriate. An understanding of learning theory and social organization can help the trainer to reduce behavioural problems. Another approach is to attempt to understand the horses’ world. This is in part possible by studying the species-specific characteristics of the receptors, the brain and the analysis of information, and the methods horses use for communication. The indications are that visual perception is acute. Horses are very sophisticated visual communicators. We have less information about their olfaction, gust&ion and hearing. Vocal communication consists of an analogue system indicating general levels of “excitement”. The importance of tactile communication has been under-estimated, although used widely in training. The brain anatomy gives some idea of the relative abilities of the horse in analysing sensory information and coordinating motor activity.