The behaviour and welfare of the horse

272 Pages·2010·9.049 MB·English

by  Fraser, Andrew F

The Behaviour and Welfare
of the Horse, 2nd Edition
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The Behaviour and Welfare
of the Horse, 2nd Edition
Andrew F. Fraser MRCVS, MVSc
Formerly Professor of Surgery (Veterinary)
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Canada
and
Formerly Editor-in-Chief, Applied Animal Behaviour Science
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© A.F. Fraser 2010. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any
means, electronically, mechanically, by photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission
of the copyright owners.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library, London, UK.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Fraser, Andrew Ferguson.
The behaviour and welfare of the horse / Andrew F. Fraser. -- 2nd ed.
p.
Rev. ed. of: The behaviour of the horse / Andrew F. Fraser. c1992.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-84593-629-7 (hardback : alk. paper) -- ISBN 978-1-84593-628-0 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Horses--Behavior. 2. Animal welfare. I. Fraser, Andrew Ferguson. Behaviour of the horse. II. Title.
[DNLM: 1. Behavior, Animal. 2. Horses. 3. Animal Welfare. SF 281 F841b 2010]
SF281.F73 2010
636.1'083--dc22
2009040515
First edition (1992) ISBN-13: 978 0 85198 7 859
Paperback ISBN-13: 978 1 84593 628 0
Hardback ISBN-13: 978 1 84593 629 7
Commissioning editor: Sarah Hulbert
Production editor: Tracy Head
Typeset by SPi, Pondicherry, India.
Printed and bound in the UK by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Contents
About the Author vii
Preface ix
Acknowledgements xi
Introduction xiii
1 Development of Equine Behaviour 1
2 Sensory Faculties and Behavioural Roots 20
3 Neural Substrate 37
4 Behavioural Homeostasis 46
5 Eating, Drinking and Ingestive Welfare 58
6 Body Care and Evacuation 68
7 Kinetic Behaviour and Racing 79
8 Spatial Factors 97
9 Rest, Work and Transportation 106
10 Breeding Function 123
11 Mare/Foal Dynamics 137
12 Foal Function and Welfare 155
13 Development and Social Behaviour 169
14 Humane Control and Husbandry Welfare 182
15 Disordered Behaviour and Stress 195
16 Equine Culture and Protection 215
Glossary of Terms 225
References 233
Index 243
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About the Author
In his youth, Andrew F. Fraser worked as a horseman. He then received his veterinary education in Glasgow,
Scotland, and Guelph, Canada. He was an agricultural veterinary practitioner in Britain, North America and
Jamaica for 14 years. He served as the Veterinary Director at the Newfoundland Pony and Horse Sanctuary,
Trinity Bay, Newfoundland – a facility for aged or infirm horses. He has retired as Director of Animal Care
and Professor of Surgery (Veterinary) at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, was previously
a Professor in the Department of Clinical Studies, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatchewan,
Canada, and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Surgery, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies,
University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
He has been a pioneer in the scientific study of applied animal behaviour and was the original editor-in-
chief of the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science for 16 years. His ethological books include
Reproductive Behaviour in Ungulates (1968, Academic Press), Farm Animal Behaviour (1974 and 1980,
Bailliere Tindall), an edited volume entitled Ethology of Farm Animals (1985, Elsevier) and, with D. Broom,
Domestic Animal Behaviour and Welfare, 4th Edition (2007, CAB International). He is the author of The
Native Horses of Scotland and Days of the Garron: The Story of the Highland Pony. His further books on
horses, published by Creative Publishers, include Horse Twilight (1990), Founding Horses (1991) and The
Newfoundland Pony (1992). The first edition of The Behaviour of the Horse was published in 1992 by CAB
International.
Andrew Fraser has developed a specific interest in the behaviour and well-being of horses, having owned
numerous horses during his life. He currently resides in Newfoundland.
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Preface
Since publishing the first edition of this book, applied research on domestic animal behaviour has become
married to practical animal welfare science. These two disciplines have gained status and relevance from each
other. The impetus for such development appears to be no more than a civilized advance in our appreciation
for the animals we use. In the meantime, there has been more enlightenment acquired about the natures of
our animals from the greatly expanded body of scholars in these joint disciplines, which have retained their
scientific principles.
The horse has, of course, retained an eminent place among livestock with respect to care. There is particu-
lar public concern for its well-being in all aspects of its existence. It was therefore an obvious decision to
combine the topics of equine behaviour and welfare in an updated version of the original edition. In doing
so, some portions of text in that publication which rationalize welfare have been incorporated. Other addi-
tions include new information and some items contained in two recent monographs by the author. The latter
areHumane Horse Care and Carriage Horse Welfare, published privately by the Canadian Farm Animal Care
Trust in very limited editions. The principal objective in this second edition has been to focus on matters that
are determinant in the recognition, establishment and maintenance of the horse’s well-being.
Over recent decades, a body of information on horse behaviour has become established by publications
from expert sources. These endeavours to accumulate knowledge of the horse’s manner of living and its
nature, and its means of dealing with its domesticated conditions should not cease; so much has still to be
learned, understood and acted upon. The point has now been reached where advised actions in support of
the horse’s basic well-being become evident in various new ways that fit its behaviour and circumstances.
Such a policy of favourable action for the animal is actual welfare. Applied ethology has an inherent purpose
in determining factors of animal welfare. This text now connects both issues, recognizing the character and
dynamics of the horse and seeking, where possible, to accommodate these with suitable care and husbandry
by either implication or prescription.
A.F. Fraser
Newfoundland, Canada
August 2009
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