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Author McGreevy, P.D.; Nicol, C.J.
Title The effect of short-term prevention on the subsequent rate of crib-biting in thoroughbred horses Type Journal Article
Year 1998 Publication (up) Equine veterinary journal. Supplement Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J Suppl
Volume Issue 27 Pages 30-34
Keywords Analysis of Variance; Animals; *Behavior, Animal; Horse Diseases/*prevention & control/psychology; Horses; Male; Recurrence; *Stereotyped Behavior; Videotape Recording
Abstract 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.
Address Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, UK
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Notes PMID:10485001 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 88
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Author McGreevy, P.D.
Title Development and Resolution of Behavioural Problems with the Type Conference Article
Year Publication (up) Havemeier Workshop Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords
Abstract The ideals of equestrian technique combine art and science. Therefore students of equitation

encounter measurable variables such as rhythm, tempo and impulsion alongside more ethereal ones

such as outline and harmony. This mixture accounts for many of the idiosyncrasies of equestrianism

including the subjective scoring of performance in dressage tests, the elusiveness of perfection even at

an elite level of competition and the difficulty of expressing equestrian technique in empirical terms

(Roberts, 1992).

This chapter will describe and offer examples of the unwelcome behavioural responses horses

produce under saddle. Two broad sections are then proposed to allow the reader to consider

unwelcome behavioural responses caused directly by humans as distinct from those attributable more

to the horse than the rider. Ultimately the responsibility for problems in the ridden horse lies with

humans since we have undertaken the domestication and exploitation of equids. Therefore it is

accepted that the dichotomy is not absolute. The chapter closes with a
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Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 471
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Author Warren-Smith, A.K.; McGreevy, P.D.
Title Preliminary investigations into the ethological relevance of round-pen (round-yard) training of horses Type Journal Article
Year 2008 Publication (up) Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science Abbreviated Journal
Volume 11 Issue 3 Pages 285-298
Keywords
Abstract 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.
Address Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Notes Cited By (since 1996): 1; Export Date: 13 November 2008; Source: Scopus Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4657
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Author Goodwin, D.; McGreevy, P.D.; Heleski, C.; Randle, H.; Waran, N.
Title Equitation science: The application of science in equitation Type Journal Article
Year 2008 Publication (up) Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science Abbreviated Journal
Volume 11 Issue 3 Pages 185-190
Keywords
Abstract
Address School of Natural Sciences, Unitec, New Zealand
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Notes Export Date: 13 November 2008; Source: Scopus Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4656
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Author Hartmann, E.; Christensen, J.W.; McGreevy, P.D.
Title Dominance and leadership: Useful concepts in human-horse interactions? Type Journal Article
Year Publication (up) Journal of Equine Veterinary Science Abbreviated Journal Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
Volume Issue Pages
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Abstract Dominance hierarchies in horses primarily influence priority access to limited resources of any kind, resulting in predictable contest outcomes that potentially minimize aggressive encounters and associated risk of injury. Levels of aggression in group-kept horses under domestic conditions have been reported to be higher than in their feral counterparts but can often be attributed to sub-optimal management. Horse owners often express concerns about the risk of injuries occurring in group-kept horses but these concerns have not been substantiated by empirical investigations. What has not yet been sufficiently addressed are human safety aspects related to approaching and handling group-kept horses. Given horses? natural tendency to synchronize activity to promote group cohesion, questions remain about how group dynamics influence human-horse interactions. Group dynamics influence a variety of management scenarios, ranging from taking a horse out of its social group to the prospect of humans mimicking the horse?s social system by taking a putative leadership role and seeking after an alpha position in the dominance hierarchy to achieve compliance. Yet, there is considerable debate about whether the roles horses attain in their social group are of any relevance in their reactions to humans. This article reviews the empirical data on social dynamics in horses, focusing on dominance and leadership theories and the merits of incorporating those concepts into the human-horse context. This will provide a constructive framework for informed debate and valuable guidance for owners managing group-kept horses and for optimizing human-horse interactions.
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Publisher Elsevier Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0737-0806 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2017.01.015 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6048
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Author Tomkins, L.M.; Williams, K.A.; Thomson, P.C.; McGreevy, P.D.
Title Sensory Jump Test as a measure of sensory (visual) lateralization in dogs (Canis familiaris) Type Journal Article
Year 2010 Publication (up) Journal of Veterinary Behavior Abbreviated Journal
Volume 5 Issue 5 Pages 256-267
Keywords sensory lateralization; monocular vision; binocular vision; jump kinematics; dog
Abstract Sensory lateralization in dogs (n = 74) was investigated in this study using our innovation, the Sensory Jump Test. This required the modification of head halters to create three different ocular treatments (binocular, right, and left monocular vision) for eye preference assessment in a jumping task. Ten jumps were recorded as a jump set for each treatment. Measurements recorded included (i) launch and landing paws, (ii) type of jump, (iii) approach distance, (iv) clearance height of the forepaw, hindpaw, and the lowest part of the body to clear the jump, and (v) whether the jump was successful. Factors significantly associated with these jump outcomes included ocular treatment, jump set number, and replication number. Most notably, in the first jump set, findings indicated a left hemispheric dominance for the initial navigation of the Sensory Jump Test, as left monocular vision (LMV) compromised of jumping more than right monocular (RMV) and binocular vision, with a significantly reduced approach distance and forepaw clearance observed in dogs with LMV. However, by the third jump set, dogs undergoing LMV launched from a greater approach distance and with a higher clearance height, corresponding to an increase in success rate of the jump, in comparison with RMV and binocular vision dogs. A marginally non-significant RMV bias was observed for eye preference based on the laterality indices for approach distance (P = 0.060) and lowest body part clearance height (P = 0.067). A comparison between eye preference and launching or landing paws showed no association between these measures of sensory and motor laterality. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report on sensory lateralization in the dog, and furthermore, to compare both motor and sensory laterality in dogs.
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ISSN 1558-7878 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ S1558-7878(10)00019-5 Serial 5379
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Author McGreevy, P.D.; McLean, A.N.
Title Punishment in horse-training and the concept of ethical equitation Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication (up) Journal of Veterinary Behavior Abbreviated Journal J. Vet. Behav.
Volume 4 Issue 5 Pages 193-197
Keywords conditioning; welfare; ethical equitation; horse; punishment; training
Abstract By definition, punishment makes a response less likely in the future. Because horses are largely trained by negative reinforcement, they are susceptible to inadvertent punishment. Delays in the release of pressure can make desirable responses less likely and thus punish them. This study examines the correct use of negative reinforcement and identifies a continuum between poorly timed negative reinforcement and punishment. It explores some of the problems of non-contingent punishment and the prospect of learned helplessness and experimental neurosis. It concludes by introducing the concept of ethical equitation.
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ISSN 1558-7878 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6599
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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 Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication (up) Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research Abbreviated Journal
Volume 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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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4201
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Author McGreevy, P.D.; McLean, A.N.
Title Roles of learning theory and ethology in equitation Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication (up) Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research Abbreviated Journal
Volume 2 Issue 4 Pages 108-118
Keywords ethological training; equine ethnology; equitation; horse behavior; learning theory
Abstract 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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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4511
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Author McGreevy, P.D.; Harman, A.; McLean, A.; Hawson, L.
Title Over-flexing the horse's neck: A modern equestrian obsession? Type Journal Article
Year 2010 Publication (up) Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research Abbreviated Journal Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research
Volume 5 Issue 4 Pages 180-186
Keywords
Abstract We used an opportunistic review of photographs of different adult and juvenile horses walking, trotting, and cantering (n = 828) to compare the angle of the nasal plane relative to vertical in feral and domestic horses at liberty (n = 450) with ridden horses advertised in a popular Australian horse magazine (n = 378). We assumed that horses in advertisements were shown at, what was perceived by the vendors to be, their best. Of the ridden horses, 68% had their nasal plane behind the vertical. The mean angle of the unridden horses at walk, trot, and canter (30.7 ± 11.5; 27.3 ± 12.0; 25.5 ± 11.0) was significantly greater than those of the ridden horses (1.4 ± 14.1; ?5.1 ± ?11.1; 3.1 ± 15.4, P < 0.001). Surprisingly, unridden domestic horses showed greater angles than feral horses or domestic horses at liberty. We compared adult and juvenile horses in all 3 gaits and found no significant difference. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the longitudinal neck flexion of the degree desirable by popular opinion in ridden horses is not a common feature of unridden horses moving naturally. Moreover, they suggest that advertised horses in our series are generally being ridden at odds with their natural carriage and contrary to the international rules of dressage (as published by the International Equestrian Federation). These findings are discussed against the backdrop of the established doctrine, which states that carrying a rider necessitates changes in longitudinal flexion, and in the context of the current debate around hyperflexion.
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Publisher Elsevier Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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ISSN 1558-7878 ISBN Medium
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Notes doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2010.03.004 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6501
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