| Welcome to the first in the series on horse | | | | behaviours so you get to eat sooner! |
| behaviour. We have a simple purpose: to benefit | | | | Similarly, as a young foal makes the first cautious |
| horses through the science of animal behaviour. | | | | attempts at movement, the purpose of solitary |
| Our experience is that once people have access | | | | play in foals seems to be both exercise and |
| to practical, scientifically accurate knowledge, they | | | | practice. In the first few days and weeks, the |
| naturally begin to choose in ways which increase | | | | mare provides food and protection for her baby, |
| their animals' well-being. This is the purpose which | | | | thereby allowing the foal to concentrate on the |
| underpins this free series of Equine Science | | | | solitary business of perfecting locomotion. He does |
| articles which we will publish over the coming | | | | this in play displays of running, hopping, kicking, |
| months. | | | | jumping and skipping around his mother, often in |
| Surprisingly, few of the findings of the scientific | | | | circles. At this early stage in a foal's life, play |
| equine behavioural research have actually filtered | | | | seems also to be a major component in |
| down to those who can really make a difference | | | | optimalising blood supply to different parts of the |
| - horse owners like yourself. As an animal | | | | foal's body. As far as scientists can tell, solitary |
| behaviourist I know that once you understand the | | | | play continues in foals until an equilibrium is |
| science of animal behaviour, & can take actions to | | | | achieved in vascularisation. It is only at this point, |
| reduce the pressure that domestication places on | | | | that foals are ready to test their muscles in play |
| our horses, many everyday problems just | | | | on other youngsters in the herd. |
| evaporate. Through the series we will be looking | | | | For a happier horse, here are three personal tips |
| at various aspects of the horses life, living | | | | Keep you horse turned out as much as |
| alongside humans & how simple understanding can | | | | possible and preferably with the same group. This |
| lead you to make a positive impact on their lives. | | | | will encourage bonding and more play in the herd. |
| It is now a scientifically accepted fact that horses | | | | Their natural behaviour is to be together 24 hours |
| seek out a partner to become a life long pair | | | | per day. (Most of us would not even contemplate |
| bond, a special relationship which potentially lasts | | | | keeping a zebra away from their herd - the |
| throughout their lives. Play is one of the ways in | | | | domestic horse & the zebra share the vast |
| which this social bond is enhanced & strengthened. | | | | majority of their evolutionary history.) |
| In this article we go beyond the basic benefits to | | | | At night, if your horse is stabled put him next |
| look at other motivations for play. | | | | to his pair bond - preferably they should be able |
| Whilst pair bonded horses often seek each other | | | | to nuzzle each other - but at the very least they |
| out as preferred play partners, owners who allow | | | | should be able to see each other. Being able to |
| their horses to live in a permanent, stable group | | | | touch, allows them to satisfy some play needs, |
| can often be lucky enough to witness the entire | | | | including grooming & nipping each other. |
| herd enjoying a bout of play together. Often the | | | | Do not keep your horse on his own - make |
| game is initiated by a single horse (usually a | | | | sure he always has equine companionship. It is |
| youngster) but the rest then pick up the signal | | | | unnatural for a herd animal to spend extended |
| and readily join in. Scientists know that there are | | | | periods alone & may lead to significant stress & |
| many factors which influence when a horse might | | | | all of the associated problems. |
| feel motivated to initiate play, but at least two | | | | If you're passionate about horses we encourage |
| are important: | | | | you to consider a serious career as an Animal |
| - As a prey animal, your horse must feel safe | | | | Behaviourist. In our experience converting your |
| enough to play (compare this to seal pups where | | | | passion into your livelihood is a sure way to |
| play is the highest cause of mortality in | | | | contentment, and as self employed behaviourist |
| youngsters, who fail to pay attention to predators | | | | you'll have the freedom to shape the life you |
| whilst they are playing); | | | | really desire. Our only request: gain a scientifically |
| - The weather conditions need to be just right. | | | | based qualification before you begin consulting. |
| Horses generally do not play when it is raining or | | | | Look for an organisation who provides both the |
| windy. This is because the weather adversely | | | | practical science & the skills you need to set up |
| affects their sensory perception of their | | | | business as a equine behaviour consultant. Ask |
| environment - simply, it is too dangerous to play if | | | | education providers; 'Do you consult yourself & if |
| you can't hear, see or smell approaching predators | | | | not, how can I be sure I'll be completely prepared |
| properly & especially if the bulk of your attention | | | | to go out & earn a living once qualified?'. So |
| is focused elsewhere. | | | | before you make your decision, think about what |
| Typically, when an entire herd decides | | | | happens after you qualify - will you be able to |
| environmental conditions are satisfactory for all to | | | | earn a living? We see so many people who are |
| play at the same time, they choose a play | | | | passionate about animals, but have taken a |
| pattern that is colloquially referred to as "chase | | | | course which didn't equip them to earn a living |
| and charge" - the whole herd runs flat out | | | | doing what they love to do. |
| together in specific directions and in so doing, | | | | For both your sakes (the animals you will help & |
| plays a game of simulating a fleeing response | | | | you) put yourself on a path which will lead to |
| from a predator. This is a ritualized pattern with | | | | making a living the day you graduate. In the horse |
| specific rules of conduct. | | | | industry in 2010 the best option is your own |
| So some biologists believe that another function | | | | business |
| of play therefore, is practicing appropriate muscle | | | | Our mission statement is simple... positively |
| movements to help prepare horses for dealing | | | | influencing the well-being of animals worldwide. The |
| with dangerous events that may occur in the | | | | challenge arises in implementing such a vast |
| future. By contrast, in studies of cat play | | | | concept. I am clear that we need horse owners |
| behaviour, it was found that, rather than | | | | like yourself to create the positive impact we |
| conserve energy, as you might expect, hungry | | | | seek... I would be thrilled if you decide to join me |
| kittens played harder and for longer. The | | | | on this path. If you would like to read more about |
| suggestion has been that if you are a starving | | | | practical, applied animal behaviour I recommend |
| predator like a kitten, it makes good sense to | | | | Teach Yourself Horse or Meeting the Needs of |
| work harder at getting proficient in hunting | | | | Your Horse. |