WEAVING IN HORSES

• Weaving is a lateral swinging of the head, neck and forequarters; stall walking is a repetitive circular walking in the stall.

• The two behaviors are considered to be related, because horses that perform one of these behaviors may also perform the other instead of also performing an oral repetitive behavior.

• Although people believe that weaving affects performance or puts undue strain on tendons, there is no scientific study to confirm that belief.

• A weaver will display its behavior in a predictable manner.
•  It often precedes an arousing event (feeding time), when close social contact is limited but the horse still can see other horses, exercise and feeding allowance are not matched, or bedding is not straw. 
• Repetitive locomotor behaviors are more common when horses are kept in small (< 4 acres) paddocks, with restricted cantering.

• Some cases of stall walking may be managed if the feeding is made to resemble ambulatory grazing by having piles of hay scattered in the stall or installing foraging devices that induce horses need to spend more time eating.

• Research suggests that the installation of a mirror inside the stall reduces in many cases the incidence of both weaving and stall walking.

• It is recommended that the mirror be placed toward the front of the stall so the reflection can be seen as the horse approaches the door.

Following are some tips for treating and preventing weaving and stall walking:

• Increase turn-out and exercise, or manage horse from pasture if possible.

• Usefeedingstationsaroundthestallor scatter feed and hay around the stall.

• Try to reduce predictors of the arrival of food, which may be difficult because most if not all barns work on a schedule

• Introduce a stall mirrorif the horse is sociable. (If the horse is anti-social a mirror may increase other undesirable behaviors such as kicking and lunging in the stall.)

• Avoid using anti-weaving grills and other devices, which research shows frustrate horses further.

• Wean gradually rather than abruptly, and wean in groups.

References

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/ASC/ASC212/ASC212.pdf

BUCKING IN HORSES

• A horse will buck from a sudden fright. If a car pulls out in front of you on the highway your reaction might be to stomp on the breaks, hit the horn, swerve, or just scream.
• A horse's reaction to a sudden fright is to buck or bolt.
• This is the horse’s evolutionary response to having animals with claws jump on its back
• Once the horse starts bucking, a lot of times he will frighten himself so he will keep bucking
• A horse will buck from a sharp, sudden pain.
• A loose saddle pulled across withers may pinch the skin and cause a sudden, sharp pain with a consequent reaction.
• Some horses will buck from having a cold saddle put on their back in the morning. That’s a condition called “cold backed.”
• Some horses will buck because they are sly

Reference

http://www.nickumlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/why-does-a-horse-buck.pdf

BOX WALKING IN HORSES

Box-walking is the name given to describe characteristic, repetitive pacing movements that a horse may make around its stable.
The horse typically paces around the sides of the confined area and may seem preoccupied with this behaviour and have difficulty stopping.

Locomotory stereotypies such as weaving and box-walking are considered to reflect aspects of the horse's natural behaviour that are being prevented by the limited stable environment.
Box-walking in particular may reflect the horse's strong motivation to walk and graze, which is limited within a stable

PROBLEMS

Box walking can become problematic in that the horse not only disturbs his bedding but he expends considerable energy and may, in extreme cases, develop asymmetrical musculature if they always walk in the same direction, giving rise to problems in performance under the saddle.
If extremely stressed he may sweat, tremble and even damage himself on the sides of the stable doors/openings in trying to escape the stable.
It may be difficult to manage your horse from within the stable as they find it difficult to stop pacing.
Box-walking may also cause excessive wear of shoes or hooves, particularly if the stable floor is concreted.
However, there is no real evidence that box walking reduces performance in the majority of cases and the term 'vice' is not very helpful

PREVENTION
• Having other horses within the stable or opposite/next to the horse, with which it can interact fully at a social level.
• Lowering the internal walls between stables or if there are problems with unfamiliar individuals being next to each other, placing bars or a grilled window in the separating wall (although note this means that the horses will have direct contact that may be relevant for disease control problems).
• Use of more windows or openings in the stable so that the horse has a wider view of the outside environment and choice.
• Placing a specially designed mirror surface within the stable to mimic visual access to neighbours.
• Increasing forage, ie hay/haylage.
• Barn housing, ie loose group of horses within a barn or yard.
• Provide feeding enrichment, eg a variety of forages in haynets hung around the stable or a foodball, so extending feeding time and acting as a distraction at key times for the behaviour.


For more information

http://www.vetstream.co.uk/fellowes-farm/html/pdf/Factsheets/Horse/24_282013.pdf

BRUXISM IN HORSES

• Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, is the medical term given to describe the rhythmic movement (side to side) of the molars causing a grinding crunching or scraping sound.
• Bruxism is not a specific sign for a particular problem it is often a sign of a physical or a psychological issue.
• Bruxism is frequently an indicator of a painful condition in both foals and adult horses.
• In foals, bruxism is often associated with the occurrence of gastric ulcers, which is considered to be related to early or sudden weaning and the feeding of concentrates.
• In adult horses, repetitive tooth grinding is often observed in horses experiencing local pain, and often once the painful condition has been dealt with the horse stops the behaviour.
• As in foals, bruxism has been recorded in horses with gastric ulcers.
• Bruxism is also observed in horses suffering from certain neurological conditions. It is also associated with many other conditions from dental pain, through to lead poisoning.
• Teeth grinding is also seen in horses who are experiencing pain associated with being ridden - in this case the cause may be due to the training methods, the equipment or the riders behaviour
• Discomfort can be expressed by the horse in various ways, and teeth grinding has been suggested as one sign of ill-fitting equipment such as a pinching saddle, tight-fitting nosebands and bit action (although mouthing the bit should be considered distinct from bruxism).
• There are many anecdotal reports of teeth grinding occurring in association with different bit types.
• Horse experiencing pain or discomfort will frequently grind their teeth when a bit is placed in their mouth; in addition this sort of grinding may also be caused through tension or conflict.
• Teeth grinding, where the horse only performs the behaviour in the stable, when being groomed or saddled, may become compulsive.
• Sudden onset of teeth grinding must be investigated in relation to clinical problems, since it is likely to be due to pain.
• Longer term more fixed bruxism, with continuous grinding involving the side to side movement of the jaw may in time lead to wear of the molars, and as such, oral problems that could cause pain and/or feeding issues.
• It may also be a sign of stress or discomfort associated with being ridden and this needs to be investigated to find out what aspect of being ridden is causing discomfort for the horse
• A clinical examination should always be undertaken to identify if there is a physical problem with the horse. 
• This includes oral examination, endoscopy to determine if there are indications of gastric ulceration and other clinical investigations and interventions to determine the source of the pain.

For More information

http://www.vetstream.co.uk/fellowes-farm/html/pdf/Factsheets/Horse/24_290775.pdf

WIND SUCKING

Cribbing or crib biting is an abnormal, compulsive behaviour or stereotype seen in some horses.It is also called as wind sucking.
Horses grabbing solid object such as the stall door or fence.
Crib bitting is highly linked to stomach ulcers.

Causes

• Dietary deficiencies
• Boredom /Anxiety
• Stress
• Gastric inflammation/ colic

Treatment

• Antacid diet should be given.
• Higher roughages should be given.
• Reduce the level of concentrates.
• Collar like device can be applied to prevent wind sucking.
• Decrease stall confinement.
• Increase contact with other horses
• Bedding materials like straws can be used.

HEAD SHAKING

Head shaking syndrome exhibit repetitive,involuntary headshaking that is more vertical.
Head shaking is a clinical signs of variety of disease.
Guttral pouch and paranasal sinus lesions.
This behavioral problem is most commonly seen in the warmer months of the year.

Causes
Insect bites
Ear mites
Dental problems
Allergies
Sunlight sensitivity

Signs
Damage of the sensory nerve of the skin.
Snorting
Head tossing
Violent shaking of head
Wiping of the nose

Affected horse will try to rub the nose on a foreleg or the ground at the canter.
In many cases horse is unrideable or dangerous to ride.

Treatment
In allergic rhinitis systemic antibiotics is required.
Ear mites should treated topically.