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Factors influencing stereotypical behaviour patterns in horses: a review of 52 clinical cases

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

R.A. Casey*
Affiliation:
Anthrozoology Institute, University of Southampton, SO16 7PX, U.K.
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Extract

Behaviours such as weaving, box-walking and wind-sucking have traditionally been regarded as undesirable behaviours or ‘vices’ by horse owners, which has led to ‘treatment’ regimes that aimed to physically prevent the performance of the behaviour rather than understand the underlying causes for it. In recent years, however, a number of studies have shed light on the epidemiology of these behaviours (e.g. Luescher et al 1998), leading to the development of more welfare compatible treatment options. In this study, a clinical population of horses presented with stereotypical behaviours is examined for relationships between presenting signs and historical and observational findings.

Type
ISAE
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2003

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References

Cooper, J..J., McDonald, L, & Mills, D.S. (2000). The effect of increasing visual horizons on stereotypical weaving: implications for the social housing of stabled horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 69, 6783.Google Scholar
Waters, A.J., Nicol, C.J. & French, N.P. (2002). The development of stereotypical and redirected behaviours in young horses: the findings of a four year prospective epidemiological study. Equine Veterinary Journal Google Scholar
Luescher, U.A., McKeown, D.B. & Dean, H. (1998). A cross-sectional study on compulsive behaviour (stable vices) in horses. Equine Veterinary Journal Suppl., 27, 1418.Google Scholar