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| Author |
Warren-Smith, A.K.; Greetham, L.; McGreevy, P.D. |
| Title |
Behavioral and physiological responses of horses (Equus caballus) to head lowering |
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Journal Article |
| Year |
2007 |
Publication |
Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research |
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2 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
59-67 |
| Keywords |
behavior; head lowering; heart rate; horse; training |
| Abstract |
Horse trainers often report that lowering the height of a horse's head so the poll is below the height of the withers can induce a calming effect during training. Four groups of horses were used in a 2-part study to investigate the behavioral and physiological effects of head lowering in horses. In Part 1, Group A had no experimental stimuli applied and horses in Group B were trained to lower their heads when presented with a specific stimulus by the handler. The stimulus for head lowering was the application of downward pressure on the headcollar via the lead rope until the horse lowered its head such that its lips were approximately at mid-cannon (third metacarpal) height, whereupon the pressure was released. The stimulus was applied again if the horse raised its head during the 300-second test period. In Part 2, Groups C and D were aroused until their heart rates exceeded 100 beats per minute (bpm). Group C had no further experimental stimuli applied whereas Group D lowered their heads as a response to the above stimulus for a period of 300 seconds. Repeated measures analysis showed that there was no difference between the heart rate of Groups A and B or Groups C and D but that the heart rate of Groups A and B were lower than Groups C and D during the 300-second post-arousal (P < 0.001). The horses in Groups A and B were more likely to contact the handler (P < 0.001), exhibit licking and chewing (P < 0.001), rest a hindleg (P < 0.001), and sniff the ground (P < 0.001) than those in Groups C and D. The number of stimuli required to maintain the head in a lowered position was greatest during the first 30 seconds (P = 0.012 and P < 0.001, Parts 1 and 2, respectively). The current study has shown that head lowering in horses does not influence cardiac responses, even after the horses had been aroused to have their heart rates above 100 bpm. Therefore, it is not a method that will aid in calming an aroused horse in training. Contrary to popular belief, there was no association with licking-and-chewing and head lowering, nor with these behaviors and response acquisition. |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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4201 |
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Warren-Smith, A.K.; Curtis, R.A.; Greetham, L.; McGreevy, P.D. |
| Title |
Rein contact between horse and handler during specific equitation movements |
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Journal Article |
| Year |
2007 |
Publication |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
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108 |
Issue |
1-2 |
Pages |
157-169 |
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Horse; Long-reining; Rein contact; Rein tension; Riding; Training |
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To explore the range of tensions used in reins to elicit specific movements from a range of horses, 22 horses of mixed age, sex, breed and training history were long-reined and ridden through a standard course. The reins contained embedded load cells so that tensions used to elicit specific movements could be measured and logged. These movements were categorised into `left turn', `right turn', `going straight' and `halt' and were separated for left and right rein tensions. The data were analysed using two-sample non-parametric Kolmogorov-Smirnoff tests and the differences between categories of horse and equipment were analysed with one-way analysis of variance. The tensions recorded in the reins were greater for long-reining than riding (median 5.76, Q25 3.9, Q75 13.3 N and median 5.29, Q25 9.3, Q75 2.9 N, respectively, P = 0.025), irrespective of whether the horses were ridden with a halter or a bridle or whether the test was completed at a walk or a trot. The tensions did not differ between the left and right reins (P > 0.05) when the horses were being driven or ridden in a straight line, providing evidence that an `even contact' was maintained. The rein tension required for going straight was less than for any other responses, showing that a lighter contact on the reins can be maintained between the application of specific stimuli. The rein tension required to elicit the halt response was greater than for any other response (P < 0.001). The rein tensions required to complete the course did not differ with the use of bridle versus the halter (P > 0.05). Clearly, a range of rein tensions is required for horses to elicit specific responses. In the interests of horse welfare and avoidance of habituation, those involved in equitation need to become aware of the tensions used in training horses and seek to keep them to a minimum. When rein tension can be measured objectively, this process can be easily implemented and monitored. |
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Admin @ knut @ |
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4336 |
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McGreevy, P.D.; McLean, A.N. |
| Title |
Roles of learning theory and ethology in equitation |
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Journal Article |
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2007 |
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Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research |
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2 |
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4 |
Pages |
108-118 |
| Keywords |
ethological training; equine ethnology; equitation; horse behavior; learning theory |
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By definition, ethology is primarily the scientific study of animal behavior, especially as it occurs in a natural environment; applied ethology being the study of animal behavior in the human domain. The terms equine ethology and ethological training are becoming commonplace in the equestrian domain, yet they seem to be used with a conspicuous lack of clarity and with no mention of learning theory. Most of what we do to train horses runs counter to their innate preferences. This article summarizes the ethological challenges encountered by working horses and considers the merits and limitations of ethological solutions. It also questions the use of terms such as “alpha” and “leader” and examines aspects of learning theory, equine cognition, and ethology as applied to horse training and clinical behavior modification. We propose 7 training principles that optimally account for the horse's ethological and learning abilities and maintain maximal responsivity in the trained horse. These principles can be summarized as: (1) use learning theory appropriately; (2) train easy-to-discriminate signals; (3) train and subsequently elicit responses singularly; (4) train only one response per signal; (5) train all responses to be initiated and subsequently completed within a consistent structure; (6) train persistence of current operantly conditioned responses; and (7) avoid and disassociate flight responses. Adherence to these principles and incorporating them into all horse training methodologies should accelerate training success, reduce behavioral wastage of horses, and improve safety for both humans and horses. |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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4511 |
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Goodwin, D.; McGreevy, P.D.; Heleski, C.; Randle, H.; Waran, N. |
| Title |
Equitation science: The application of science in equitation |
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2008 |
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Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science |
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11 |
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3 |
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185-190 |
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School of Natural Sciences, Unitec, New Zealand |
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Export Date: 13 November 2008; Source: Scopus |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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4656 |
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McGreevy, P.D.; Nicol, C.J. |
| Title |
Prevention of crib-biting: a review |
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Journal Article |
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1998 |
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Equine veterinary journal. Supplement |
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Equine Vet J Suppl |
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27 |
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35-38 |
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Animals; *Behavior, Animal; Horse Diseases/*prevention & control/psychology; Horses; *Stereotyped Behavior |
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Crib-biting is a common oral stereotype. Because of perceived deleterious effects on the health and appearance of subjects the prevention of crib-biting is regularly attempted. The resourcefulness of horses in satisfying their motivation to perform this behaviour often frustrates owners' efforts at prevention. This paper reviews the efficacy and observable consequences of attempting to prevent crib-biting by a variety of methods. These include attempts to prevent the grasping of objects, to interfere with air-engulfing and to introduce punishment for grasping and neck-flexion. Other approaches include the use of surgery, acupuncture, pharmaceuticals, operant feeding and environmental enrichment. A remedy that is effective for every crib-biter remains elusive. We conclude that, rather than concentrating on remedial prevention, further research should be directed at establishing why horses crib-bite and how the emergence of crib-biting can be avoided. |
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Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, UK |
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PMID:10485002 |
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refbase @ user @ |
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87 |
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McGreevy, P.D.; Nicol, C.J. |
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The effect of short-term prevention on the subsequent rate of crib-biting in thoroughbred horses |
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Journal Article |
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1998 |
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Equine veterinary journal. Supplement |
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Equine Vet J Suppl |
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27 |
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30-34 |
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Analysis of Variance; Animals; *Behavior, Animal; Horse Diseases/*prevention & control/psychology; Horses; Male; Recurrence; *Stereotyped Behavior; Videotape Recording |
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The results of an experimental study of the motivational consequences of short-term prevention of crib-biting are reported here. Eight test horses wore a cribbing collar for 24 h. This was effective in preventing crib-biting in 6 subjects. Using analysis of co-variance that accounted for baseline differences in crib-biting rate, test horses showed significantly more crib-biting than control horses on the first day after prevention (P < 0.05). There was also a highly significant increase in the crib-biting rate of test horses on the first day after prevention in comparison with their baseline rate (P < 0.01). This defines the increase as a post inhibitory rebound. An increase in the novelty of the cribbing bar and an increase in feeding motivation during the period of prevention are rejected as explanations of the rebound in this study. Instead, it is suggested that the rebound reflected a rise in internal motivation to crib-bite during the period of prevention. Behaviours that exhibit this pattern of motivation are generally considered functional; and it has been argued that their prevention may compromise welfare. |
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Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, UK |
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PMID:10485001 |
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refbase @ user @ |
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88 |
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McGreevy, P.D. |
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Book Whole |
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2004 |
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Equine Behavior: A Guide for Veterinarians and Equine Scientists |
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Cited By (since 1996): 25; Export Date: 21 October 2008 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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4530 |
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McGreevy, P.D.; McLean, A.N.; Warren-Smith, A.K.; Waran, N.; Goodwin, D. |
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Defining the terms and processes associated with equitation |
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2005 |
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Proceedings of the First International Equitation Science Symposium |
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10-43 |
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Cited By (since 1996): 6; Export Date: 24 October 2008 |
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Admin @ knut @ |
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4616 |
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Warren-Smith, A.K.; McGreevy, P.D. |
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Preliminary investigations into the ethological relevance of round-pen (round-yard) training of horses |
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Journal Article |
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2008 |
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Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science |
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11 |
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3 |
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285-298 |
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Recently, training horses within round-pens has increased in popularity. Practitioners often maintain that the responses they elicit from horses are similar to signals used with senior conspecifics. To audit the responses of horses to conspecifics, 6 mare-young-horse dyads, this study introduced them to each other in a round-pen and videoed them for 8 min. These dyads spent significantly more time farther than 10 m apart than they did less than 1 m apart (p < .001). The time they spent less than 1 m apart decreased over the 8-min test period (p = .018). Mares occupied the center of the round-pen and chased youngsters for 0.73% of the test period (p < .001). Mares made all agonistic approaches (p < .001), and youngsters (p = .018) made all investigative approaches. Head lowering and licking-and-chewing were exhibited most when the youngsters were facing away from the mares (p < .001). The frequency of head lowering increased during the test period (p = .027), whereas the frequency of licking-and-chewing did not change. The results bring into question the popular interpretation and ethological relevance of equine responses commonly described in round-pen training and show that mares did not condition young horses to remain in close proximity to them. |
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Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia |
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Cited By (since 1996): 1; Export Date: 13 November 2008; Source: Scopus |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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4657 |
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