The Domestic Horse: The Origins, Development and Management of Its Behaviour

Front Cover
D. S. Mills, S. M. McDonnell
Cambridge University Press, Mar 10, 2005 - Nature - 249 pages
Since it was originally domesticated in the late Neolithic period, the horse has been used for transport, labor, food and recreational purposes. This book enables the reader to gain insight into the past and present behavior of this fascinating animal as well as its profound effect upon human society. It will appeal to animal scientists and to those working with horses in a professional capacity as well as enthusiastic owners.
 

Contents

Domestication and early history of the horse
5
The horse in human society
23
Individual differences in the domestic horse origins development and stability
33
Behavioural ecology of feral horses
55
Relationships and communication in socially natural horse herds
83
Maintenance behaviours
94
Sexual behaviour
110
Maternal behaviour and marefoal interaction
126
Equine play behaviour
150
The riderhorse relationship
161
Learning abilities in the horse
169
Horse Training
184
Behavioural problems with the ridden horse
196
Repetitive movement problems in the horse
212
Equine behaviour and welfare
228
Index
239

Ontogeny preparing the young horse for its adult life
139

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About the author (2005)

Daniel S. Mills is principal lecturer in behavioural studies and animal welfare and director of the animal behaviour referral clinic at the University of Lincoln. He is the first specialist in veterinary behavioural medicine to be formally recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and has published widely on behaviour problems in the domestic horse and is co-author of Equine Behaviour, Principles and Practice. Sue M. McDonnell is an associate professor and founding head of the Havemeyer Equine Behavior Programme at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, New Bolton Center. She has published widely on stallion sexual behaviour and dysfunction and is author of The Equid Ethogram, A Practical Field Guide to Horse Behavior.

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