Behaviour scientists say that learning processes are universal and just like all beings, horses can be trained, or more precisely they learn to modify their behaviour by three distinct processes: trial and error (operant conditioning); association (classical conditioning); and getting used to things (habituation). They named these the Principles of Learning, or Learning Theory; an apt name because as many horse people will tell you, they may work perfectly in theory, but turn out to be a lo
Bighead is an insidious disease that can be hard to diagnose. First described in 400AD, ‘bighead’, ‘bran disease’ and ‘Millers disease’ were the terms used in the early 1900’s to describe the enlarged head seen on cart horses in London. The word ‘bighead’ however, does not even closely describe the generalised skeletal osteoporosis that occurs when horses are not getting sufficient dietary calcium, it just describes the end stage of
How does symmetry - or the lack of it - impact horse and rider, their performance, comfort, and welfare? Are performances compromised by the patterns that develop as horses and riders compensate for being ‘crooked’? Is the lack of symmetry in fact a symptom to a much deeper cause?
Skin diseases of horses in southern Australia. As with all species, skin disease in horses is common. Whereas sometimes symptomatic treatment of the clinical signs results in a successful outcome, many cases are more complex and so good treatment outcomes rely on an accurate diagnosis and a multifactorial treatment and or management approach.
In this article Dental Vet Dr Chris Heislers outlines the most common skin diseases affecting horses in Southern Australia.
Despite the widespread media coverage of Hendra virus outbreaks and the release of the Hendra vaccine last November, many horse owners are still uncertain about different aspects surrounding the vaccine and do not know if they should vaccinate their horses.
In this article, Dr Nathan Anthony a member of the AVA HeV Task Force who is involved with the Qld Government interagency review of HeV Infection Prevention Advice answers some of the most frequently asked questions from horse owners.
"The question is not whether we need learning theory: when thousands of horses worldwide go to the slaughterhouse every week because of behavioural problems the question is can we do without it?"
All cracks in the hoof wall have the potential to progress to catastrophic breakdown of the entire capsule, which is why they should be dealt with as soon as they appear.
A thorough understanding of the behavioural science that explains the learning mechanisms which result in habituation has enabled Dr Andrew McLean to adapt this natural process into six reliable training methods that work with all horses, and make habituation faster, safer, and much more reliable
Long distance transport is stressful to some horses, particularly horses that suffer from ‘nerves’ during travelling or in anticipation of competing. Nervy horses shake and tremble, working themselves into a lather, and drip sweat, which can all cause pre-competition fatigue, and obviously dehydration, particularly during hot weather.
Clicker training is extensively used very successfully to train all sorts of animals but is still not widely accepted for training horses, mostly due to a lack of understanding about how horses learn, and the whole concept of negative and positive reinforcement.
Breeders should be the first to assume the long term responsibility for every foal produced. Self-regulation is the key, and in the following article, Jane Myers and Jeanette Gower highlight some of the considerations to make in advance if we are to give those future foals the best possible chance.
During exercise, heat is produced as a by-product of skeletal muscle contractions. To prevent overheating and maintain core body temperature, horses have to lose this generated heat.
Of all animals, humans are the ultimate calculating opportunists. While pressing the world around us into our service we have bred and trained a few of the other animals to suit our purposes. Among these domestic species, we are, I think, most indebted to dogs and horses. The nature of this debt is complicated by deep bonds, some of which appear to be more or less reciprocal.
To help first time and experienced owners alike, Equine Dental Vet member Dr Miesja Reynolds has put together a comprehensive article explaining the mare cycle Transition into breeding.
This healthcare information is provided to you by the partnership between Horses and People and Equine Dental Vets, an organisation committed to advancing horse health.
The emergence of resistance in many parasite populations, and the lack of any new worming compounds on the horizon is driving researchers to find better ways to control worms in domestic horse populations. We need to move away from an interval treatment regime towards an evidence-based, strategic, and targeted program that will help extend the life of our current arsenal of worming products.
