Informative Insights
Equine research and cited information for educational purpose.
Informative Insight Post #1
Why is my horse so spooky?
Understanding Behavior & Handling
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Horses, in fact, are prey animal in which they perpetually weigh their environment for threats. Their first instinct is to bolt if a threat is perceived (action over thought). One of the ways we can help out a horse grasp there is no danger (although sometimes there may be --For example, a snake nearby) is to influence their assessment in a scary situation for them. By staying calm the horse can feel that you have already assessed the threat of your situation to be unimportant. Remember, a horse can feel your heartbeat from 4 feet away. If you are anxious, they can feel this in you and will assume the threat is unsafe and react innately. Let your horse investigate the perceived threat and see what he/she is worried about. Once the horse brings back it’s attention to you continue your time with them as trust leadership is developed.
Herd dynamics play a factor here and more so, if you are the sole resource provider for your horse. Horses are very adaptable, that is, they create social hierarchies that sometimes change but instill safety and order within the herd to prioritize ranks for resources. With a human, a horse will look at how you figure into this pecking order. There is normally one leader (have confidence within) of the herd that will keep everyone safe and moving. Is the horse the leader or are you within the domestic hierarchy environment?
Being aware of your horse’s body language will also help you identify if he/she is moving away from a perceived threat. Behaviors include but not limited to:
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Ears Forward-The horse is alert and paying attention to what is in front of him/her
Ears Rapidly Swiveling- Ears that are flicking back and forth are a sign that the horse is in a heightened state of anxiety and alertness He/she may be trying to locate the source of a frightening sound or smell, or (s)he may be overwhelmed by too many stimuli
Head Elevated- Your horse is focused on something in the distance, and (s)he’s probably trying to figure out whether he should flee, investigate or ignore it
Standing splayed legged- A horse spreads his/her front legs out to the sides and leans back a little when scared. Usually seconds away form a spook or bolt
Flared Nostrils- A horse will stretch his/her nostrils wide to draw in more air as (s)he exercises. Could also be a sign of being nervous.
Tight, Pinched or Pursed Mouth- This is a subtle sign that the horse is worried, stressed or scared. Can lead to more aggressive communication such as biting or running away
Tense Eyes- As with tension around the muzzle, tightening of the muscles around the eyes is a subtle, early sign of stress, fear or discomfort
Rapid Darting- When a horse’s eyes are flicking from side to side, (s)he’s probably scared or looking for a way to escape. The sign may precede a spook or bolt, but if (s)he feels trapped, (s)he may react by biting or kicking in an attempt to get away. Remove him/her from the situation or calm him/her down to keep yourself safe.
Whites of the Eyes Showing- When a horse is worked up to the point that the whites of his eyes are showing, he is extremely upset. If his ears are also pinned, then (s)he is angry If (s)he’s snorting or trembling, then (s)he is scared
Body Trembling- Shaking is almost always a sign of fear A horse that is so scared it is trembling will either run or fight to get out of the situation
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While handling horses always considering safety first, we now understand more about why horses spook, how to identify flight behaviors and how we may help them safely through situations that may be fearful for them.
References
Holistic Horse Studies. Equine Handling and Safety
Jones, L.J. (2020). Horse Brain Human Brain: The Neuroscience of Horsemanship. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Books.
Informative Insight Post #2
Massage and the Nervous System (NS)- The Brain Controls All Parts of the Body Through Nerves
Is the most complex system in the body making up the brain, spinal cord and nerves. NS coordinates all systems in the body and initiates all voluntary movement. Control actions, reactions, reflexes, senses, movement, feeling, behavior, activity, responses to the environment and involuntary movements such as heartbeat, breathing and digestion.
NS divides into two categories:
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Central Nervous System (CNS)- brain, cranial nerves, spinal cord, spinal nerves and sensory receptors AND
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Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)- Automatic Nervous System (ANS) & Somatic Nervous System (SNS).
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Central Nervous System (CNS)- brain, cranial nerves, spinal cord, spinal nerves and sensory receptors. The brain and spinal cord form the center of the nervous system. The brain is protected by the cranium, surrounded by cerebral fluid and encased by the meninges Meninges - protective, nourishing membrane.
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The brain uses 20% of the oxygen inhaled into the lungs. The brain in the horse is relatively small (about 0.1% of the body) and weighs an average of 0.6 kg. The Brain Consists of:
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Forebrain (Cerebrum, Hypothalamus, Thalamus, Olfactory)
The Forebrain accounts for 75% of the total volume.
Cerebrum Largest area of the forebrain, it is ridged and furrowed to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of neurons and their fibers which connect the different parts of the brain. Reacts to sensations such as vision, hearing, temp, touch and smell based on past memories. Controls most physical and mental activities. Responsible for learning, disposition, mood, emotion and intelligence
Forebrain Hypothalamus forms the base of the forebrain, size of a grape. Connected by a stalk to the pituitary gland Controls pituitary gland and glands of the endocrine system and autonomic nervous system. Includes blood pressure, temp, behavioral and sex responses, aggression and pleasure Forebrain.
Thalamus 3rd part of forebrain responsible for initial sorting of incoming messages and directing them to the appropriate areas of the brain for processing.
Olfactory Lobe last part of forebrain deals with sense of smell Midbrain Situated behind the cerebrum Controls responses to sensations of sight, smell and the voluntary control of breathing, behavior and movement.
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Midbrain
Situated behind the cerebrum which controls responses to sensations of sight, smell and the voluntary control of breathing, behavior and movement.
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Hindbrain (Medulla Oblongata, Cerebellum, Pons)
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Medulla Oblongata links the spinal cord and brain controls the vital processes such as heart beat, digestion, respiration and breathing and coordinates swallowing, sneezing and coughing
Cerebellum aka little brain, smaller version of the cerebrum responsible for balance, posture, movement and muscular activity
Pons links the medulla oblongata and thalamus in the right and left hemisphere
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The spinal cord is housed within the vertebral column which is comprised of a long rope of nerve fibers that carries messages from the brain to all parts of the body. The spinal cord runs from the medulla oblongata to the middle of the sacrum 7 cervical, 18 thoracic, 6 lumbar, 5 sacral and 5 coccygeal nerves emerge from the spinal cord of the horse. The Spinal Cord consists of gray matter contains the nerve cell bodies and the white matter contains the axons traveling to the brain. Dura Mater is the outer most layer, a tough, fibrous tissue covering the spinal cord.
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2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)- Automatic Nervous System (ANS) & Somatic (or Voluntary) Nervous System( SNS).
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As the spinal nerves leave the spinal cord, they divide into two branches:
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Dorsal Branch: supply the skin, muscles, bone and fascia above the spinal cord
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Ventral Branch supplies the limbs, skin, muscles, bone and fascia below the spinal cord
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The Brachial ( bray.kee.uhl) Plexus runs over the scalene muscle and lies under the scapula (for protection). A web of cervical and thoracic ventral nerve branches that serve the flexor and extensor muscles of the forelimbs. Injury to this area is serious and may cause a positional abnormality, muscle atrophy, the inability to bear weight and extend or flex the forelimb
The Lumbosacral Plexus serves the hind limbs. Area where the ventral branches of the lumbar and sacral nerves meet. Penetrates the abdominal roof wall and the pelvic cavity, which runs deep within the body, well protected under the spine, pelvis and between the femurs.
Cutaneous (kyoo.tay.nee.uhs) Nerves are superficial nerves that are responsible for detecting heat, cold, pressure and pain in the skin.
Dermatomes is a surface area of the body served by a specific nerve or group of nerves. Pain can be referred to areas of the body anywhere along the route of the nerve serving the site of pain.
ANS regulates organs and behaviors that the animal has no control over such as heart, stomach and intestines. Consists of motor neurons that control cardiac and smooth muscles in the internal organs such as the intestine, bladder and uterus. Organs are supplied by nerves from two subdivisions of the ANS which work in opposition of each other. The Sympathetic Nervous System and Parasympathetic Nervous further divides into:
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sympathetic (involved in the fight or flight response. Raises awareness of the senses, increases the capacity of the circulatory and respiratory systems and suppresses the digestive system. Increases sweating, heartbeat and blood flow, dilates pupils and inhibits bodily functions such as salivation or urination) and
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parasympathetic (functions when the animals are in a safe, relaxed environment Slows heartbeat, increases salivation and allows urination and digestion)
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Horse Sense Sight, Hearing, Taste, Smell, Touch
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Proprioception -The spatial awareness that allows the horse to unconsciously monitor the position of its body can coordinate balance and movement. Part of the Vestibular System, which is primarily concerned with balance, coordination and agility. Consists of motor and sensory nerves situated in muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints that send messages to and from the CNS to adjust posture and movement.
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SNS is sensory and motor neurons activated by senses in response to physical stimuli such as light, sound, temperature, and pain. The Reflex Arc, for example, would be a horse twitching or blinking to remove a fly. Another example, is a horse moving away from heat, pain, and/or pressure. Brings signals from the external sense receptors to the brain, which responds by sending signals known as effectors to the muscles.
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Neurons are contained withing the bundles of neurons carry messages throughout the body. Each neuron has 3 parts: cell body (contains the nucleus and mitochondria and important for energy production), axon (single long fiber that transmits messages away from the cell body * Schwann cells specialized, fatty cells that speed up the signals traveling along the axons * Axon Terminal secrets neurotransmitters that cross the synapse carrying the nerve impulse form one neuron to another), dendrites (branch like fibers that collect and direct nerve impulses to the cell body). There are 3 different types of neurons:
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Sensor (have long dendrites to carry massages from the senses to the CNS
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Motor ( have long axon and short dendrites to carry messages from the brain to the muscles an glands)
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Interneurons ( sends information between sensory and motor neurons and is only found in the CNS).
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Synapses is the junctions in between neurons. The electrical impulses are sent along the dendrites and axons and carried across the synapses by neurotransmitters that bind to a docking area known as receptors.
Nerve impulses travel in a few milliseconds, allowing for an almost instantaneous response to stimuli. When a neural pathway is used repeatedly, the number of neurotransmitters and receptors increases, making movement more natural and easier to perform. When it is not used, the number of neurotransmitters and receptors decreases fluency of movement is lost.
Massage and the Nervous System. Both the autonomic and somatic nervous systems can be influenced by soft tissue work. Effleurage - a gentle stroke massage that stimulates touch receptors in the skin. Passive Stretching - stimulates the stretch receptors and proprioception in the joints. Tapotement - rhythmical stimuli that stimulates circulation. Petrissage - mobilizes muscle and fascia, influences the pressure receptors in the superficial tissues and the movement of venous blood and lymph.
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Reference
Holistic Animal Studies
Informative Insight Post #3
Reward what is right, rather than punish what is wrong.
Rewarding a behavior you want is something the horse really wants. When you reward a behavior you like, those behaviors are reinforced and are more likely to increase in frequency, eventually becoming habitual.
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A positive reinforcer is something added to the environment that will strengthen the delivery of a desired response. It can be a food reward, a pat of approval, giving the horse a chance to do something it wants to do.
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Positive reinforcement = adding something
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Today I worked with Logan allowing him to make a choice of his own building confidence and strengthening our bond together.
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Side note: Learned/Trained Helplessness. Some training methods emphasize on ONLY what horses shouldn't do. Horses then become accustomed to being corrected for what they've done wrong, they learn it is better to do nothing unless they are told to do it.
They get worried and freeze because they don't know what the right answer is.
If you notice your horse is not more active or willing to try when you are working with them, then reward what is right rather than punish what is wrong.
Informative Insight Post #4
The Goal of Observation: Conformation and Posture
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Get to know your horse’s distinct characteristics. Then notice changes in their musculoskeletal system in time. It is hard to differentiate some inherent conformation factors arising from posture (whether in a good or bad light) because confirmation may or may not be a source of muscular dysfunctions. For example, paddling may be observed in gait faults which can be caused by inherited conformational faults, and can be observed as an incorrectly structured joint that does not allow physiological movement ( interestingly, this gait fault conformation may be considered desirable and regarded as a characteristic that is simply accepted in some breeds such as the Spanish purebreds). As a result, in most cases, will lead to, a relieving posture or movement (paddling) that is caused by seeking to avoid a painful condition or to make it endurable which may or may not disappear unaided, as the pattern of movement becomes firmly embedded in the brain. One the other hand, for instance, weak core muscles in a horse affects posture and balance. A simple example, weak abdominal muscle will typically result in poor back posture (the dip in a horse’s back). In both examples, the horse needs to be aided in changing anatomy from static to functional to ensure the best results (paddling/poor muscling - correct hoof care and bodywork in both examples). It is important to recognize that what is seen in confirmation is subjective ( one person's opinion) and may or may not result in the source of the dysfunction. Therefore, the quality or ability of a horse can surpass given the right circumstances.
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Ford is one of my heart horses. He is a sweet, outgoing, approx. 15-year young quarter horse cross, sorrel, gelding. I would like to start riding him this year; however, I will ensure physically and emotionally he is ready. Every chance I get I stare at my horses, lol. I love observing (noticing any changes) in them and how they interact with each other. I’ve noticed for a while; he will stand with his right hind-limb under his belly. I’ve been providing Ford w monthly full body massages for about 5 months which has helped him out tremendously, with both physically and mental aspects of his wellbeing. He is on a 2-week natural barefoot corrective trim cycle to build functional, self-maintaining hooves, which is going in the right direction. However, he still had his back hind limb camped under him. I decided to start a 30-day challenge --- daily bodywork release for him. I have composed a full body release sequence that addresses the whole horse which entail core muscles stretching and shiatsu, which only takes about 5 mins. We are at 8 days so far. I’ve started to observe postural improvements. Throughout the day at random times, I look over at him and observe that he is standing more biomechanically correct, more of the time. I am excited to see what happens in one month!
