Day: July 27, 2009

Diet and stable management play a major role in horse behavior, according to researchers from the University of Bristol. “There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that the more you can mimic the almost continuous natural grazing behavior of horses in the wild, the better,” said study co-author Becky Hothersall, Phd, a researcher studying Equine Learning and Cognition at the University’s School of Veterinary Science. Continue reading…

Chomp! Incisors lock onto the edge of the board, and the horse arches his neck as he inhales. You’ve caught a cribber in the act. This horse is practicing what is known as a stereotypic behavior. Behaviors such as cribbing, weaving, and stall-walking might appear as nuisances, but behaviorists estimate they’re seen in 10-20% of the population of domestic horses. Such behaviors can become problems, as they can affect a horse’s well-being and his serviceability as an equine athlete. They even can render him unfit for use. Continue reading…