This book is a general guide to understanding horse behavior, how the horse learns and how horse handlers can adjust their behavior to avoid creating anxiety in the horse. The author begins by providing an overview of the evolution of the horse and the consequences of domestication. She goes on to provide a very detailed description of normal equin

A basic understanding of behavioral science will provide riders and horse owners with an abundance of valuable information with which to design an optimal living environment for their horses. The underlying premise is that when a horse’s living conditions reflect its natural needs, when it is permitted to be itself, not only are its well-being, health, and performance enhanced, but it is less likely to develop any vices. In this book the author introduces the reader to behavioral science in an understandable and stimulating way, combining horse-specific behavior with practical stable management. It is a must for all horse lovers who want further insight into the true nature of their four-legged friends.

"Horse behaviour and welfare is a major issue as horses are mainly sport and recreational animals where the human-animal relation is essential. Scientific studies on this topic have increased greatly over the last decade and this publication enlightens some of the major issues raised such as horse temperament, early experience, horsing and social management and equine behaviour welfare. Precise studies are described here, that are placed in the more general context of the international scientific advances. Important behavioural aspects concern: how to measure temperament traits and the genetic/experimental influences on temperament, when, how and whether to handle foals in order to improve human/foal relation, the importance of the social environment on the behaviour of young and adult horses. On the other hand, the improvement of equine welfare through better practices is described such as housing design, feeding practices or social grouping. The use of behavioural cues in order to assess welfare is discussed and tested through experimental approaches. This book constitutes a very rich overview of the recent and new research lines in the field of horse behaviour and welfare."

A new edition of a highly respected textbook and reference in the rapidly emerging field of equitation science. Equitation Science, 2nd Edition incorporates learning theory into ethical equine training frameworks suitable for riders of any level and for all types of equestrian activity. Written by international experts at the forefront of the development of the field, the welfare of the horse and rider safety are primary considerations throughout. This edition features a new chapter on research methods, and a companion website provides the images from the book in PowerPoint.

Equine Behavior: A Guide for Veterinarians and Equine Scientists is written for all those who really want to know what makes horses tick. Behavioral problems in the stable and under saddle are of concern to equine veterinarians worldwide because they lead to welfare issues, abuse and ultimately wastage. Equine veterinarians, trainers and handlers must be aware of each horse's behavior as a first step in detection of problems, whether they are clinical maladies or training issues. As they constantly study their horses' responses to their environments they are all, in effect, students of horse behavior. Drawing on over 1,000 references, Equine Behavior explores the subject from first principles by considering the behavior of free-ranging horses and considering ways in which management and training influences the responses of domestic horses. All too often veterinarians feel that management of the mental health of equine patients is beyond their expertise. This book addresses many important gaps to enable practitioners to understand how horses can learn to perform unwelcome behaviors and how to change those behaviors where appropriate. The new edition builds on the success of its pioneering predecessor and presents a thorough revision of all chapters to reflect the latest developments in this dynamic field. The chapter on equitation science has been expanded and there have been major revisions to the sections on stereotypic behavior, cognition studies, nutrition and housing. The book remains a must-have purchase for all veterinarians who deal with horses, for equine scientists, trainers and everybody with an interest in the subject. Features a practical, hands-on approach to all aspects of equine behavior Discusses all factors that effect equine behavior Contrasts normal behavior with abnormal behavior Reviews all behavioral problems Lists and reviews the latest drug therapies Addresses difficult-to-treat clinical problems such as head-shaking, with insights from the leading researcher in this area Provides a brief clinical evaluation of 'horse-whispering' Illustrates the key behavioral differences between horses and donkeys

This book continues to provide a comprehensive overview of equine behaviour and an outline of current advances in our understanding, as well as offering insights into contemporary and future challenges for improving horse welfare and safety. Completely updated and revised, a new, international, expert editorial team builds on Andrew Fraser's decades of work as an ethologist, veterinarian, historian, horseman, breeder, trainer, conservationist, and field scientist, sharing essential knowledge to improve horse behaviour and welfare. This classic text remains an essential resource for veterinarians, animal scientists, equine professionals and horse owners.

Unlock the myth and mystery surrounding the current horse training literature. Understand the reasons that make any horse training method work. Use the effective methods developed by research scientists that created the powerful tools of behavior modification that can help trainers and riders create successful horse performance. Learn the power of behavior modification that allows any horse behavior or training method to be explained. Create reasonable, achievable lessons for your horse. Create rider aids and cues that truly reward the horse. Increase desirable horse behavior while decreasing the undesirable. Learn step-by step lessons to train horse behavior. Behavior Modification for Horses was written by a rider and trainer with over twenty-five years of experience working with the best riding masters in Europe. Patti Dammier brings the best expertise of both worlds: horse training and a professional background as an educator and researcher—an innovative approach that takes the work of scientists and explains behavior modification based on horses. It is time to move away from the trendy and quick-fix horse-training methods and learn the basic principles of behavior modification that teaches anyone to create a positive training environment and a method to obtain desirable behavior from horses.

Horse training isn’t a mystical procedure. In fact, there isn’t mystery in the methods necessary to teach any skill. To learn any skill there is a logical sequence that if adhered to, allows a behavior to be taught and learned. Creating a Positive Horse consists of using positive methods, which in turn creates a positive attitude. Positive Horses explains those positive methods necessary to create horses that perform on taught/learned cues, both on the ground and in the saddle that are systematically rewarded, but also have an extremely positive attitude to their trainer/companion. The system uses the method, ‘Behavior Modification’. This book is about: • Explanation of basic educational methods using systematic sequences that support training horses. • Creating the goals and objectives for each individual horse rather than a “one size fits all” approach. • Training using positive reinforcement— how food rewards creates useable cues, instead of the trainer performing meaningless behavior that the horse doesn’t understand. • Horses learning basic cues: come, stand, walk on, and halt, which provides safety on the ground and assists in the next work in the saddle. • Applying basic training to other equestrian disciplines. • Addressing training method failure, because the trainer doesn’t assess the correct the behavior to reward and doesn’t understand the methods. • Horse case studies exemplifying the use of behavioral methods.

Horses can develop a range of behavioural problems, which if left untreated, could cause the relationship between horse and human to break down. With many different well-meaning opinions offered to solve such situations, it can be difficult to find the right path. In this book, Rose Scofield examines behavioural issues using the latest academic research. Offering practical solutions and with useful diagrams and photographs throughout, the book helps to protect and develop the horse-human relationship.

Horses are beautiful creatures who respond favorably to humans because we have the ability to create a positive relationship with them. But how do we create a positive learning environment that will obtain desirable behavior from horses? In her guidebook, a professional educator and Grand Prix dressage horse trainer shares step-by-step lessons and powerful tools of behavior modification that will help horse trainers and riders create successful horse performance. Dr. Patti Dammier relies on over twenty-five years of experience in horse training and professional research and education to offer an innovative approach that uses scientific evidence to teach basic principles of behavior change. Through her methods, case studies, and key points, riders and horse trainers will learn how to: ? Establish goals and objectives specifi cally tailored for each horse ? Create reasonable and achievable lessons ? Develop rider aids and cues that reward behavior ? Decrease undesirable behavior without unnecessary force ? Manage risk and ensure a safe learning environment Horse Makeovers is a guidebook for anyone eager to learn an educated approach to training horses that utilizes proven scientific research, resources of learning theory, and techniques of positive motivation to achieve results.