03/05/2022
DON’T DISABLE YOUR HORSE’S SMOKE ALARM
It is vitally important to address root cause of any aggressive responses and to consider why a horse feels the need to defend themselves. Using punishment is extremely detrimental to horse welfare and counter-productive it can lead in some cases to an escalation of the aggressive response especially if the horse’s signals are ignored , the horse may then increase their level of aggression or alternatively when their behaviour is ignored they may shut down or go into learned helplessness. The use of punishment is hugely detrimental to the horse/human relationship. Horses being none verbal can only communicate via body language and behaviour. Punishment including hitting and shouting can also lead to suppression of the defensive response for the behaviour to re-emerge at a later date worse than before as a consequence of spontaneous recovery (Fenner, et al,2019). It is extremely rare that a horse does not show any precursor behaviours or early warning signs before acting defensively. It is important to learn these signs and identify triggers in order to avoid causing them. Aggressive responses are manifestations of a horse’s fight response and is more likely to occur if a horse’s flight response is thwarted (Porges, 2012, Levine, 2010). From an ethological standpoint horse’s will flee in the face of threat (McGreevy et al, 2012, Rees, 2017). These biting and aggressive responses are referred to as ”affective attack” (Panksepp, 1998, Panksepp and Biven, 2012). It is important to appreciate why horses may resort to these responses and not simply label the horse as ”grumpy” or ”nasty” as this predisposes people to utilise punishment.
It is important to AVOID punishment and the suppression of a horse’s communications and warnings that then later leads to escalations and worsened biting or kicking responses . Similar to punishing a dog for growling it’s like disabling a smoke alarm as the warning signs are suppressed .
Pain, physical discomfort and illness can also lead to aggression and general irritability. Any changes in your horses’ behaviour should also be fully investigated by your veterinary surgeon to rule out pain or any other medical causation (Fureix et all, 2010, Lesimple et al, 2016) . Aggression can often require a multidisciplinary approach between a vet, other paraprofessionals and a qualified behaviourist.
References
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Devi, N.B., 2019 A comparative study of aggression and self control on Gender (ie Boys and Girls) in Mizo population. Vancouver
Fenner, K., Mclean, A.N. and McGreevy, P.D., 2019. Cutting to the chase: How round-pen, lunging, and high-speed liberty work may compromise horse welfare. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 29, pp.88-94.
Fureix C, Menguy H, Hausberger M. Partners with bad temper: reject or cure? A study of chronic pain and aggression in horses. Plos One 2010;5(8).
Fureix, C., Bourjade, M., Henry, S., Sankey, C. and Hausberger, M., 2012. Exploring aggression regulation in managed groups of horses Equus caballus. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 138(3-4), pp.216-228.
Lesimple C, Aube L, Fureix C, Hausberger M. Detecting and Measuring Back Disorders in Nonverbal Individuals: The Example of Domestic Horses. Animal Behavior and Cognition. 2016; 3(3):159–79.
Lesimple, C. Indicators of horse welfare: State of the art. Animals 2020, 10, 294.
Levine, P.A., 2010. In an unspoken voice: How the body releases trauma and restores goodness. North Atlantic Books.
Levine PA. In an unspoken voice: How the body releases trauma and restores goodness. North Atlantic Books; 2010.
McGreevy, P., 2012. Equine behavior: a guide for veterinarians and equine scientists. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Olczak, K. and Klocek, C., 2014. A REVIEW OF AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR IN HORSES. Ad Alta: Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 4(2).
Panksepp, J., 1998. Affective neuroscience: The foundations of human and animal emotions. Oxford university press.
Panksepp, J. and Biven, L., 2012. The archaeology of mind: neuroevolutionary origins of human emotions (Norton series on interpersonal neurobiology). WW Norton & Company.
Pierard, M., McGreevy, P. and Geers, R., 2019. Effect of density and relative aggressiveness on agonistic and affiliative interactions in a newly formed group of horses. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 29, pp.61-69.
Porges, S.W. and Furman, S.A., 2011. The early development of the autonomic nervous system provides a neural platform for social behaviour: A polyvagal perspective. Infant and child development, 20(1), pp.106-118.
Rees, L., 2017. Horses in Company. The Crowood Press.
Riva, J., Bondiolotti, G., Michelazzi, M., V***a, M. and Carenzi, C., 2008. Anxiety related behavioural disorders and neurotransmitters in dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 114(1-2), pp.168-181.
©️Jessie Sams 2022 Beeching Horse Behaviour and Animal Behaviour and Trauma Recovery Service
