Glenspey and the elephant – Equus Magazine
After Bob Barker died last year, I read a story about how in 2013 the old icon of the game show business had paid a substantial sum—$880,000—to rescue three elephants…
Behavior
How to deal with a shoeing meltdown
Most horses, on most days, will stand patiently during a farrier’s visit. But there’s always a chance of a “meltdown.” Horses, after all, can have bad days just like we…
Why are horses afraid of pigs?
Question: Is there anything I can do to get my horse over an intense fear of pigs? I’ve owned my 11-year-old Thoroughbred-cross gelding, Tex, for four years and he’s always…
What science says about ear covers for horses
A growing number of show horses are outfitted with sound-reducing ear gear, ranging from foam balls stuffed inside the auditory canal to knit “bonnets” that cover the entire pinna. But…
Do hormones cause mares to misbehave?
A new study from the University of California, Davis, challenges the common assumption that misbehavior in mares is often linked to “elevated ovarian hormones.” Case histories The California researchers reviewed…
Three signs that your horse is bored
Getty Images If you’re looking to learn alongside your horse, try developing the ability to recognize signs of equine boredom or frustration. Sometimes horses communicate these feelings with obvious gestures,…
Do’s and Don’ts in dealing with a nervous horse
What seems like nervous behavior in horses is often a sign of fear. Here five things to do—or to avoid—when dealing with an anxious horse. DO: Adopt a calm demeanor.…
An expert’s view of calming products for horses
Horse owners can choose from several types of products formulated to help calm horses. Options include feed supplements, pheromones, aromatherapies and more. Aromatherapy Just like aromatherapy products for people, those…
Glossary Of Horse Vocalizations And Sounds
While horses rely most on body language to communicate, the noises they make are also meaningful. There are four types of horse vocalizations: whinny, nicker, snort, and squeal. Each equine…
Making a Spooky Horse More Confident
Use this step-by-step approach to make a spooky horse more confident or handle an unexpected scary scenario. Spooking isn’t fun for either horse or human. We’ve all experienced this scenario:…