Equine Behavior: A Guide for Veterinarians and Equine Scientists

by Paul McGreevy

Equine A Guide for Veterinarians and Equine Scientists is the quintessential reference for all who really want to know what makes horses tick.

Research in horse behavior has made great strides in recent years. This book examines the truth behind modern trends and ancient traditions. Full of insight, it rounds up the latest findings of practitioners and researchers from all over the world, drawing on both cutting-edge research and best practice. With more than 1,000 references, the book explores equine behavior from first principles, by considering the behavior of free-ranging horses and focusing on ways in which management and training influence the responses of their domestic counterparts. Equine physicians, trainers, handlers and owners all need to be students of equine behavior, because the first sign of a problem is often a change in behavior. So, whether you own, ride, lead, groom, feed or heal horses, what you observe is vital to your understanding.

Behavioral problems in the stable and under saddle are a grave concern for equine veterinarians worldwide, because they can lead to poor performance, welfare issues, abuse and, ultimately, wastage. Traditionally, veterinarians gave priority to the physical health of their equine patients. This book is a unique attempt to demonstrate the way science can throw light on how and why problems and unwelcome behaviors arise. It also offers ways to bring about change for the better.

Beautifully illustrated with photographs and line diagrams, Equine A guide for veterinarians and equine scientists is an essential resource for practising veterinarians, students and enthusiasts with a specific interest in horses, ponies, and donkeys. Professional trainers and handlers, equine scientists and behavior therapists will also find its contents invaluable.

Genres: Horses

412 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2004

Reviews

[J Dillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and scientific without going too far into exhaustive explanations, this is a great book for anyone looking for a better understanding of the "what" and "why" of horse behavior.

Facts and figures are listed in here, but so are neat tables, complete with charts and explanatory photographs. Not only are the pictures great examples of concepts elaborated upon in the text, they help spice things up for readers like me, who tend to space out when faced with page after page of text only.

I found this book to actually be pretty exciting nerd alert and very easy to get through. Yes, it took me a while, but all books that require actual analysis for a thorough understanding (compared to the fiction books I normally rip through) do.

If you have a slightly science-y background (a must in order to understand a number of subjects contained within this book) and an interest in horses (why would you read this review if you're not? For that matter, why would you even look at this book? It's in the title, sis!), I highly recommend this. I think it, although older, this is a great starting point to better understand equine behavior and be able to approach horses in a way that will help facilitate learning and understanding between our two species, leading to a streamlined ability to care for and work with them.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written for veterinarians and scientists, I found the reading slow (which is why it took so long to finish - 9 years must be my record!) but valuable. Even a laywoman such as myself could find lots of information that is helpful to understanding my horse. I also found a lot to be thankful for that my horse does not do! I had no idea of all the behaviors one could experience in the horse world. Between Clinton Anderson's training methods and this book, any horse person can be comfortable there, and that is a must. Horses pick up on their owner's behaviors, insecurities, and uncertainties, so it is best to have some knowledge of how a horse works and how to relax around them.

[sparrowcrazy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. Incredibly informative, it really makes you see horse ownsership and horse behavious in general in a whole new way.

It made me question a lot of the things we as horseowners do with our horses; what right do we have to force such restrictions on an animal that has such vastly different needs than what we usually can provide.

I'd recommend this to anyone who works with horses, even if it's just a hobby. I should in fact recommend it as obligatory literature for riding schools, maybe it would make people a bit more aware and respectful.

[Jenny P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly suggest reading this to anyone with a more advanced interest in equine behavior. There's a lot in here that you wouldn't be able to find from your average book on horses.

[Brittany]

Recommended in animals make us human

[Holly B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be positioned as more of a text book but frankly I was riveted reading straight through it. If you want state of the art science behind your understanding of equine behavior it is really the only book around. McGreevy demystifies (and occasionally debunks) what would be horse whisperers and magical thinking equine communicators say they do. In particular, he demonstrates the many different ways that misinterpreting or anthropomorphizing horses is a form of cruelty because so much punishment is handed out for behavior that may look deliberately stubborn or mean-- but actually arises from entirely different motivation. If you think learning theory is boring hang on through those chapters because he’ll show why a working knowledge of classical and operant conditioning (and all the variations) is so essential for teaching. Equine Behavior (crammed as it is with data) is a great resource for figuring out why some training techniques succeed and others don’t. I have much more respect for my own horse and the exceptional trainers who help him flourish after reading this book

[Primrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading for school Equine sciences tudies.This is why my recreational reading has fallen behind.