Horse: Animal behaviour and problems.

General information

In Central Europe the horse has nowadays almost become insignificant as an agricultural farm animal. In these regions the horse has only and above all the function of a sport or leisure time animal. Due to this fact it can easily happen that we do not realize any more what important role the horse has played in the development of civilization and culture of mankind. The horse was used for campaigns against other peoples and the wars were won together with the horse. Without the horse, the work in the agricultural field, in the mining and in other industries would not have been possible at all.

Horses are herd animals who need fresh air and movement. Horses are not a gymnastic equipment! A great number of interested people gets acquainted with the horse and is instructed technically in riding lessons. The relationship with the horse who has his own environmental needs and requirements characteristic of the species, however, mostly comes off badly. There are for instance horses needed for horseback acrobatics who have to "transport" children by the dozen amost in hourly rates. It is obvious that the horses thus suffer and waste away. Horses do need love and care!

Social behaviour

Horse ownership should at all events fulfil the natural needs of the horse. It is important to keep the horses in groups in free-range husbandry. If after careful examination of the situation this is not possible, it is an absolute must to establish at least horse boxes with run-out yards freely accessible at any time. There should always be a place ready for all kinds of weather laid out in a way that every horse of the herd can move freely during several hours daily, if possible together with other animals of the same species. Everyone who has to do with horses ought to take their natural needs into consideration! They have the urge to always wanting to see, to hear, to smell their fellow species and to have body contact with them. The ownership in individual boxes is, therefore, not appropriate to the species. The herd gives the flight animal horse security and also offers protection from enemies. Neither a human being nor another animal can ever replace a fellow species. Horses form, in accordance with nature, so-called stallion families: These are composed of a grown up stallion, several mares as well as their foals and older cubs. The harem is jealously guarded and defended against rivals by the stallion. He also chases away the grown up and soon pubescent stallions of the group. These then join together with other colts who suffered the same destiny. The female offspring often remains in the same family for years. There is a social ranking among the mares which is being revealed to the crafty observer especially in situations of rivalry (feed, attractive resting places). Colts often try to abduct mares from the existing harem in order to found a new stallion family. All in all a highly developed social system. Unfortunately, this fact is not taken into account especially in expensive sports horse ownership but also in many hobby ownerships. A deplorable state of affairs which hardly can be coped with in the face of the powerful lobby.

Behavioural disturbances

The best known behaviour disorders are the "sawing" and the "weaving". Gnawing at wooden articles, shying or kicking equipment or the person looking after the horse are in most cases the result of keeping horses in ways not appropriate to their species or of dealing badly with them. Constantly kicking and biting horses are dangerous for he persons looking after them. Be careful!

Man-Animal communication

In the course of the centuries, many fine methods for the communication between man and horse have been more and more developed. Apart from command helps while riding and going by train or car (rein lead, methods in urging on the horse, weight shifting), the daily contact with the animal in the form of speaking, flattering, administering reward titbits is the most important "way of talking".

Curb-bits, spures, whips? Professional aid in responsible hand for the education of horses is absolutely practicable. A light lash of a whip on the croup at the right time is acceptable. If, however, sharp bits that hurt the delicate mouth or sharp spures used in a rough way are at play, this is not allowed at all.

Due to modern machines in agriculture the horse is no longer used as a working horse but has become above all a sport and leisure time animal. So the communication between man and horse takes place more and more on a sports level. There are many books treating this topic so that it would be pointless to hold talks here on this. Horses are most sensitive creatures and react promptly and confidently on clear signs of their owner.

Undesirable behaviour

Shying, biting, kicking or also gnawing at equipment are often the result of keeping horses in ways not appropriate to their species or in dealing badly with them. Also the "sawing" and "weaving" represent a problem. "Sawing" can hardly be corrected and, moreover, is detrimental to the health of the horse.

Mood barometer

Horses show a clear display. If one can see the white of their eyes or if the horses put their ears back, then it's best not to tangle with them. If on the other hand the horses eat quietly, there is no danger in approaching them. Also when riding out it is easily detectable if the horse is in a nervous, aggressive, peaceful or quiet and relaxed mood. The position of the ears and the facial expression tell a lot. Experienced horse owners know how to interpret these signs and to recognize the prevailing mood.

Psychology of animals

In order to be able to better understand the horse and his species-specific nature, it is recommendable to study the behaviour of the feral horses in more detail, i. e. to read books about it. In the course of the domestication of the feral horses, the basic nature of the horse as a typical herd and flight animal has hardly changed. If we recognize the natural needs of the animal and behave accordingly, we will much quicklier acquaint ourselves with the horse. Moreover, we also learn to realize when we can demand something and get our way and when we better not impose on him.