Behavior Genetics of the Horse (Equus caballus) - Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals - page 239

effects produced by intensive neonatal handling. These words included
“trusting,” “spoiled brat,” “cooperative,” “juvenile delinquent,” “respectful,”
“pushy little monster,” “drama queen,” “lover,” “friendly bugger,” “tendency
to go catatonic,” and “potentially dangerous,” to list a few ( Horse Forum,
2012 ). It seems that the different responses of foals to early intensive
handling are affected by several factors. Genetic factors influencing tempera-
ment may be one; another may be differences in the time the handling is
performed; and last, differences in the way the handling procedures are per-
formed may also influence responses.
Long-Term Effects of Early Intensive Handling
Henry et al. (2009) conducted a groundbreaking study to monitor the
behavior of “imprint-trained” foals in normal social groups with adults and
peers from the early stages of development to adolescence. The results are
both startling and disturbing. The subjects were 19 French Saddlebred
mares and their foals (11 females, 8 males), all maintained under the same
conditions until birth. Delivery of the foals was not assisted and all foals
received minimal care apart from the application of an antiseptic on their
umbilical stumps. After birth, the foals were divided into one of two treat-
ment groups: the control group, which included foals and mares left undis-
turbed (except for antiseptic application), and the experimental group,
which included foals that had been handled following the “imprint training”
guidelines ( Miller, 1991 ). Apart from the early experimental handling
procedure conducted on the handled foals, both handled and non-handled
(control) groups received only limited human contact necessary for routine
procedures (mainly feeding and changes of pasture). They were kept under
identical management, and the groups were mixed on the same pasture.
The handled foals were later observed at four stages of life: during the
early postnatal period, at six months of age with their mothers, at weaning,
and at one year of age.
Early Postnatal Period
Handled foals stood up and suckled significantly later than control foals, and
also displayed abnormal suckling activity. This suggested a delay caused by
the handling procedure rather than a lowered capacity. However, handled
foals displayed short-term disturbances not seen in the non-handled foals,
such as fast breathing and excessive trembling, indicating that the procedure
significantly delayed these first two developmental stages. The abnormal
suckling behaviors included excessive chewing and teat seeking directed
“at the air” or at the handler and not toward their mother All of the handled
foals struggled during handling (attempting to get up) before lying motion-
less with high muscle tone ( Henry et al., 2009 ).