Sunday 18 March 2012

Equine Behavior A Guide for Veterinarians and Equine Scientists



Dear Users,
This classic text is written by Paul McGreevy. Beautifully showed with more than 500 pictures and line diagrams this book is an essential resource for practising veterinary doctors, students and equinr lovers with a specific interest in horses, ponies and donkeys. Professional trainers and handlers, equine scientists and behaviour therapists will also find its contents invaluable.
CONTENTS: 

CHAPTER ONE
Evolution and classification 1
Evolutionary background 1
Classification of equids 2
Changing roles 4
Domestication 4
Current status 7
The horse’s future 11
Stable management 13
Traditional stable management 13
Modern stable management 13
Management practices 14
Behavior 16
Normal behavior in stabled horses 16
Abnormal behavior in stabled horses 21
Stereotypic behaviors 23
Introduction to evaluating behavior problems 28
References 31

CHAPTER TWO
Vision 37
Acuity 38
Depth perception 42
Stimulus visibility 42
Accommodation 43
Color vision 44
Foal vision 45
Problems with vision 46
Chemoreception 46
Smell 46
Taste 48
Hearing 49
Touch 50
Summary of key points 51
Case study 51
References 53

CHAPTER THREE
Introduction 55
Fundamentals of functional and behavioral
neuroanatomy 56
Major components of the central nervous
system 56
Forebrain 58
Brainstem 60
Cerebellum 61
Spinal cord 61
Behavioral neuroanatomy 62
The cerebrum 62
Evolutionary brain divisions 63
The limbic system 63
Memory 64
Neurophysiology and neurochemistry 65
Electrophysiology 65
Neurotransmitters 65
Equine psychopharmacologic agents 69
The neurological examination 72
Behavior and mental status 72
Cranial nerves 73
Gait and postural reactions 75
Neurological diseases with behavioral
signs 75
Hydrocephalus 75
Infectious diseases 76
Metabolic disorders 78
Leukoencephalomalacia 79
Epilepsy 79
Narcolepsy 80
Headshaking 80
Summary of key points 81
Case studies 82
CHAPTER FOUR
Learning theory 85
The definition of learning 85
Intelligence 86
Imprinting and socialization 87
Non-associative learning 90
Habituation 90
Sensitization 92
Associative learning 92
Classical conditioning 93
Operant conditioning 94
Training and behavior modification 95
Reinforcers and punishments 96
Using reinforcers 97
Reinforcement schedules 98
Shaping behavior 99
Clicker training 100
Contiguity 101
Punishment 102
Contingency 103
Generalization and discrimination 103
Extinction 105
Memory 105
Additional topics in equine learning 107
Learning sets 107
Insight versus simple learning 107
Maze tests 109
Social learning 110
Error-free learning 111
Influences on learning 111
Breed differences in normal behavior 111
Temperament 112
Breed differences in abnormal behaviors 113
Summary of key points 113
Case study 114
References 116
CHAPTER FIVE
Social organization 119
Groups of horses 120
Group size and home ranges 123
Social hierarchy 124
The effect of rank on behavior 126
Measuring rank 128
Pair bonds 129
Dispersal 131
Agonistic behavior 131
Responses to potential danger 131
Aggression 133
Submission 137
Homing 138
Social organization in donkeys 138
Applying the data from free-ranging horses to
domestic contexts 139
Social behavior problems 143
Mal-imprinting and over-bonding 143
Aggression to humans 144
Voluntary isolation 145
Weaving and box-walking 145
Timing 145
Risk factors 145
Physical prevention 146
Managing locomotor stereotypies 146
Summary of key points 147
References 147
CHAPTER SIX
Body language 151
Ritualized displays between stallions 157
Sounds 158
Recognition of sounds 160
Tactile communication 160
Communication by odors 161
Marking strategies 162
Donkey communication 162
Summary of key points 162
References 162
CHAPTER SEVEN
Fetal movements 165
Infant growth and movements 166
Adult kinetics 169
Sidedness and symmetry 169
Lateral flexion 170
Simple turns and pirouettes 170
Gaits 171
Walk 172
Flat and running walks 174
Diagonal and lateral walks 174
Trot 174
Pace 176
Stepping pace 176
Rack 176
Passage and Piaffe 176
Canter and gallop 178
Airs above the ground 180
Other locomotory maneuvers 180
Jumping 180
Bucking 182
Rearing 182
Swimming 182
Influences on locomotion 183
The effect of conditioning 183
The effect of the rider 183
Responses to the whip 184
Responses to confinement and refusal
to load 184
The effect of warming up 185
Summary of key points 186
References 186
CHAPTER EIGHT
The transition from milk to solids 189
Food selection and rejection 191
Grazing 192
Taste tests 193
Natural influences on food intake 194
Social factors 194
Lactation and seasons 194
Time-budgeting 194
Human influences on food intake 195
Timing and content 195
Variety 197
Behavior associated with ingestion 197
The relationship between nutrition and
behavior 198
Dysphagia 199
Anorexia and hypophagia 199
Hyperphagia 200
Wood-chewing and bed-eating 200
Coprophagy 201
Geophagia 201
Oral stereotypies 201
Drinking 206
Summary of key points 208
Case study 209
References 209
CHAPTER NINE
Development of eliminative responses 217
Defecation 218
Urination 220
Summary of key points 221
References 221
CHAPTER TEN
Grooming 223
Mutual grooming 223
Self-grooming 224
Pest avoidance 227
Behavioral thermoregulation 228
Rest and sleep 228
Drowsing 229
Sleep 229
Play 234
Locomotory play 235
Interactive play 235
Manipulative play 238
Behavioral anomalies in maintenance
behavior 238
Unmanageable play 238
Refusal to lie down 239
Inappropriate responses to being groomed 239
Summary of key points 241
Case study 241
References 241
CHAPTER ELEVEN 
Free-ranging harem-maintenance
behavior 245
Development and maintenance of sexual
behavior in free-ranging stallions 246
Free-ranging matings 249
Seasonality 251
Traditional stallion management 252
Factors affecting sexual responses in
the stallion 253
Individual preferences 253
Visual stimuli 253
Olfactory stimuli 253
Learning 254
Pharmaceuticals 255
Castration 255
Masturbation 256
Sexual behavior of male donkeys 257
Behavior problems in the stallion 258
Failure in reproductive behavior 258
Aggression and other handling problems 259
Self-mutilation 260
Summary of key points 261
Case study 261
References 262
CHAPTER TWELVE
Sexual maturation 265
Reproductive cycles 266
Artificial influences on the breeding
season 269
Foal heats 270
Silent heats 270
Split heats 270
Anestrus 271
The influence of hormones and exogenous
factors on reproductive behavior 271
Pregnancy 271
Foaling 272
Maternal–infant interactions 274
The maternal–infant bond 274
Fostering 276
Suckling 277
Other maternal behaviors 279
Weaning 279
Management practices prior to weaning 279
Management practices at weaning 280
Weaning methods 281
Sexual behavior in female donkeys 282
Maternal behavior in female donkeys 282
Reproductive behavior problems in
the mare 283
Foal rejection 283
Nymphomania 284
Mounting 284
Aggression in mares 285
Summary of key points 285
Case study 285
References 286
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Background 291
What can be learned? 291
Horses for courses 292
Traditional dogma 292
Shifting the mindset 293
Welfare and wastage 294
Horse whisperers 296
The problems with contemporary training 297
Equine mentality 297
Hard-wiring and habits 298
Ineffective rewards 299
Conflict behaviors – the manifestation of
problems 299
Conflict 299
The potential contradiction of contact 301
The solutions 302
The science of training 302
Foundation training under-saddle 304
Foundation training in-hand 305
Refinement under-saddle and in-hand 307
Resolution 307
Summary of key points 309
Case study 309
References 311
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The principles of good handling 313
Donkey handling 315
Approaching the horse 315
Restraint 316
Equipment for restraint 317
Restraint of the head 320
Restraint of forelimbs 321
Restraint of hindlimbs 321
Donkey restraint 322
Chemical restraint 323
Transportation of horses 323
Orientation 324
Head position 325
Preventing dehydration 326
Restraint of horses during air transit 326
Transport of horses for slaughter 327
Summary of key points 327
References 327
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Introduction 331
Mechanical approaches 332
Behavior modification 333
Handling problems 334
Problems with the ridden horse 335
Inappropriate obstacle avoidance 335
Hyper-reactivity responses 337
Agonistic responses to conflict 338
Evidence of pain and irritation 338
Evidence of poor physical ability 339
Evidence of learned helplessness 340
Causes of unwelcome responses in the
ridden horse 340
Human causes of unwelcome behavioral
responses 340
Horse-related causes of unwelcome behavioral
responses 343
Summary of key points 344
Case study 344
References 345

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