HORSESHORSES

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Normal behavior in a horseNormal behavior in a horse

• Herd Animal

• Touch– Rely on touch with other horses

• Nuzzle – Friendship and acceptance

– Groom each other

• Smell– Better sense of smell than humans– Can smell the “fear smell” of a human

• Body and facial language– Fear – Flare their nostrils and flatten ears– Aggression – Similar to fear but will also open their

mouth, raise a leg, and/or clamp down their tail.

• Oral Communication– Snort – Followed by an intense stare can be a way of

alerting that danger is near or making sure others are not under threat.

– Nickering – Friendly; between horses and humans– Neigh – Loudest and most commonly used

• Locate other horses or announce their presence.

• Flight Instinct– Horses may react to unfamiliar objects and

circumstances by spooking, or fleeing, from the object of fear.

• Blind Spot– Horse can not see behind them or directly in

front of them.

APPROACHING A HORSEAPPROACHING A HORSE

• Approach from the left side (shoulder area)

• Talk to the horse as you are approaching, let them know that you are there.

• Watch body language (ears especially)

• In our barn, Shasta has no right eye, so be sure you are speaking to her if you are on that side.

Walking behind a horseWalking behind a horse

• Be sure to continue talking to the horse, lets them know where you are

• Place a hand on the horse as you are walking toward the rear– Keep your hand on the horse at all times as

you are walking behind– The closer you are to the horse, the safer you

are.

CribbingCribbing

• Horses exhibit a behavior called cribbing as an “anxiety” trait or OCD type behavior.

• Uses upper teeth to grab a stationary object– Arches the neck– Pulls backwards while swallowing air and

grunting– Can cause colic

COLICCOLIC

• Colic = Abdominal pain– Could be build up of gas– Could be impaction (sand)– Enterolith– Parasites– Variety of causes

COLIC SYMPTOMSCOLIC SYMPTOMS• Pawing and/or scraping • Stretching • Frequent attempts to urinate • Flank watching: turning of the head to watch the stomach

and/or hind quarters • Biting/nipping the stomach • Pacing • Repeated lying down and rising • Rolling (Will not usually shake when they get up)• Groaning • Excess salivation • Loss of appetite • Decreased fecal output • Increased pulse rate • Dark mucous membranes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LHVLkeF9kw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9_mffkKMsQ

LAMINITIS “AKA” FOUNDERLAMINITIS “AKA” FOUNDER

• Symptoms – lameness – can affect all 4 feet. Shift weight to back legs with front legs extended (typical founder stance). May refuse to stand or walk.

• Digital pulse – bounding (should not feel pulse easily)

FOUNDERFOUNDER• Causing factors:

– Excess of carbs (too much grain, lush pasture)

– Excessive weight– GI problems and stress/shock

TEETH FLOATINGTEETH FLOATING

• Teeth continuously grow

• As they chew – they wear the teeth into “points”

• Can cause damage to cheek and tongue.

• May see grain fall out of mouth when trying to eat.

• Undigested grain in feces.

Manual float

Power float

Point on tooth

COPD (Chronic Obstructive COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) aka HeavesPulmonary Disease) aka Heaves

• Caused by – Dusty or moldy hay– Dust & molds in bedding– Dust & other irritants in environment

• Symptoms– Coughing– Labored Breathing– Yellow nasal discharge

• No cure

HeavesHeaves

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVDycgk7oqc&feature=PlayList&p=3AC7A383065C70A3&index=12

Double barrel line due to labored breathing (double breaths)