Equine Behaviour : Principles and Practice

by Mills, Daniel S.; Nankervis, Kathryn J.

• ISBN13: 9780632048786
• ISBN10: 0632048786
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-09-16
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

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".

Author Biography

Daniel Mills BVSc, MRCVS is a Veterinary Surgeon and Senior Lecturer in Behavioural Studies at De Montfort University, Lincoln, from where he also runs a referral behaviour clinic, and Kathryn Nankervis BSC (Hons), MSc is a Lecturer in Equine Physiology at De Montfort University, Lincoln. She is also the founder of the Equi-Tutor Learning Programme.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Acknowledgements	viii
Part One: Understanding behaviour Concepts	1	(66)
Approaches to the Study of Behaviour	3	(15)
What is behaviour	3	(3)
Ethology versus psychology	6	(3)
A brief guide to conducting a behaviour study	9	(6)
Conclusion	15	(1)
Topics for discussion	16	(1)
References and further reading	16	(2)
Origins of Behaviour	18	(15)
An evolutionary approach to understanding behaviour	18	(1)
Lemarck versus Darwin	19	(3)
Genes not individuals	22	(4)
Evolutionary throwbacks and genetic jumps	26	(1)
Adaptation and apparent stupidity in domestic horses	27	(2)
Evolution and the variety of behaviour	29	(2)
Conclusion	31	(1)
Topics for discussion	31	(1)
References and further reading	32	(1)
The Evolutionary History of the Horse	33	(20)
Introduction	33	(5)
Early evolution of the horse	38	(5)
The arrival of Equus	43	(2)
The origins of the modern breeds	45	(2)
Domestication and its consequences	47	(5)
Topics for discussion	52	(1)
References and further reading	52	(1)
The Lifetime Development of Behaviour	53	(14)
Instinctive and learned behaviour, what is the difference?	53	(3)
Sensitive phases for special times and specific associations	56	(2)
Using play for better management	58	(2)
Using natural biases in development to improve management	60	(5)
Conclusion	65	(1)
Topics for discussion	65	(1)
References and further reading	66	(1)
Part Two: Mechanisms of Behaviour	67	(96)
The Processing of Information	69	(22)
Introduction	69	(1)
The nervous system	69	(3)
Neural transmission	72	(8)
Central processing	80	(4)
Behavioural motivation	84	(4)
Autonomic and somatic nervous systems	88	(1)
Topics for discussion	89	(1)
References and further reading	90	(1)
The Special Senses	91	(19)
Sight	91	(8)
Hearing	99	(3)
Chemoreception	102	(5)
Cutaneous sensation	107	(1)
Topics for discussion	108	(1)
References and further reading	108	(2)
Communication and Social Organisation	110	(29)
Communication	110	(15)
Social organisation	125	(4)
The composition of the group	129	(1)
The social structure of the group	129	(4)
The dynamics of the group	133	(3)
Conclusion	136	(1)
Topics for discussion	137	(1)
References and further reading	137	(2)
Sexual and Reproductive Behaviour of Horses	139	(24)
Basics genetic foundation of the individual's sexuality	139	(1)
Normal mare specific behaviour	140	(9)
Normal sexual behaviour of the stallion	149	(4)
Modifiers of the genetic blueprint	153	(7)
Conclusion	160	(1)
Topics for discussion	160	(1)
References and further reading	160	(3)
Part Three: The Flexibility of Behaviour and its Management	163	(63)
Learning and Training	165	(31)
Psychological processes	165	(2)
A few basic procedures	167	(9)
Applying reinforcement to train new behaviours	176	(4)
Punishment and its problems	180	(2)
General guidelines to training new behaviours	182	(1)
Learning beyond a change in behaviour	183	(3)
Training techniques for problem behaviours	186	(7)
Conclusion	193	(1)
Topics for discussion	194	(1)
References and further reading	194	(2)
Welfare	196	(30)
Understanding welfare	196	(1)
What is right is not always the same as what is good	196	(1)
Measuring welfare	197	(8)
Is the domestic horse a fish out of water?	205	(5)
Stereotypies	210	(10)
Principles of treatment for stereotypies and other behaviour problems	220	(4)
Conclusion	224	(1)
Topics for discussion	224	(1)
References and further reading	225	(1)
Appendix	226	(1)
Index	227