Equine Behaviour : Principles and Practice

Almost every person working with horses will have studied equine behavior to a certain extent. Understanding the flexibility and limits of behaviour is essential to improving both the horse's welfare and its performance. This book will enable students, trainers, riders and horse owners to understand the fundamental principles behind the behavior of horses and how to apply them in different situations in practice.Part 1 looks at the constraints which apply to the modern horse because of its evolutionary history and the nature of the evolutionary process itself. Part 2 examines the processes and mechanism which control the behaviour and responses of a horse and explores the sources of individual variation, whilst Part 3 looks at the effect of the environment on the horse's behaviour and welfare - this includes a critical look at current and recent training techniques such as 'imprint Training and 'join up'. Here is a readable, scientific text expertly illustrated throughout to clarify the key concepts in equine behaviour.

Almost every person working with horses will have studied equine behavior to a certain extent. Understanding the flexibility and limits of behaviour is essential to improving both the horse's welfare and its performance. This book will enable students, trainers, riders and horse owners to understand the fundamental principles behind the behavior of horses and how to apply them in different situations in practice.

Part 1 looks at the constraints which apply to the modern horse because of its evolutionary history and the nature of the evolutionary process itself. Part 2 examines the processes and mechanism which control the behaviour and responses of a horse and explores the sources of individual variation, whilst Part 3 looks at the effect of the environment on the horse's behaviour and welfare. This includes a critical look at current and recent training techniques such as 'imprint training and 'join up'.

Here is a readable, scientific text expertly illustrated throughout the clarify the key concepts in equine behaviour.

Douglas E. Hutchens

This softcover book is divided into three sections and ten chapters covering origins and concepts, mechanisms, and learning, training, management, and/or modification of equine behavior. Welfare aspects of the domesticated horse are also discussed. Other topics for discussion are included, as are references at the conclusion of each chapter. The purpose is to provide equine specialists and veterinary students with a basic understanding of equine behavior. The intended audience is equine specialists and veterinary students. This text features both basic animal science and its practical application to demonstrate cause and reason for most equine behavior. The authors thoroughly review the evolution of equines to today's horses to further illustrate the mechanism of common reactions of horses in most situations. Also, the physiology of external stimuli processing is explained in great detail. Finally, at the end of each chapter, important topics for discussion are listed to stimulate thought and interaction of students to promote a better understanding of the material. The authors do a good job of elucidating the mechanisms behind equine behavior and habits. Through this approach, many equine behaviors are easily understood. Those veterinary students without an extensive background and knowledge in equine husbandry and behavior will find this information especially helpful as they fulfill their requirements in equine medicine in the curriculum. Conversely, it should be noted that this text is not another book describing the 'in vogue' training method but is the basis for a thorough understanding of the mechanisms and origins of equine behavior.

Understanding the flexibility and limits of behaviour is essential to improving both the horse's welfare and its performance. This book tackles the fundamental principles which will enable owners, riders, trainers and students to understand scientific principles and apply them in practice. Subjects covered include the analysis of influences on equine behaviour, the perceptual world of the horse, learning and training techniques including the latest developments in "join-up" and "imprint training". Fundamental principles of behavioral science and their applications with respect to understanding, raising, and training horses is explained here, in a reference readily understandable to owners, trainers, and riders as well as veterinary practitioners and students.More than 100 illustrations visually reinforce key concepts described in the text. We may be motivated in our study of behaviour by the hope that we can improve the performance of our own horse in some particular way, seeking to make it do what we want, but in studying horse behaviour and its origins and management in general terms, we should not forget that not all horses are winners. This text addresses the fundamental principles of behaviour in horses which enable owners, riders, and trainers to understand scientific principles and apply them in practice