Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
NOMADIC
If horses had a theme song, it would be “Don't Fence Me In”; they are born wanderers.
But we do have to confine our horses, especially when horsekeeping on a small acreage.
Their nomadic tendency can lead to confinement behaviors such as pawing, weaving, and
pacing. These vices are a response to inactivity, lack of exercise, overfeeding, and insuffi-
cient handling. Regular exercise is essential for the horse's physical and mental well-being.
Adequate turnout space and exercise time can prevent the development of these vices.
Horses that are kept in box stalls or small pens need to be turned out and allowed to be
horses. Otherwise, they may become either very bored with their existence or extremely
hyperactive. An introverted horse that has “tuned out” is just plain dull: lazy, unresponsive,
and balky. The overly energetic horse is “wired”: anticipatory, nervous, irritable, and pos-
sibly unsafe.
SENSES
Keen senses allow horses to pick up very slight changes in the environment. More sensitive
to subtle movements, far-off sounds, smells, and possibly barometric pressure than humans,
horses are frequently alerted to potential danger while we notice nothing out of the or-
dinary. Horses are capable of feeling vibrations through their hooves warning them of ap-
proaching predators or other horses.
