Equine Behavior & Restraint (PDF)

EQUINE BEHAVIOR & RESTRAINT EQUINE BEHAVIOR Rarely aggressive Prey animals—humans can be perceived as predators •Exceptions: mare protecting foal, stallions guarding herd, protecting stall (esp. racehorses) •Bite, strike, kick Display flight or fight and typically try to escape Typically presen...

EQUINE BEHAVIOR & RESTRAINT EQUINE BEHAVIOR Rarely aggressive Prey animals—humans can be perceived as predators •Exceptions: mare protecting foal, stallions guarding herd, protecting stall (esp. racehorses) •Bite, strike, kick Display flight or fight and typically try to escape Typically present as anxious or fearful in the veterinary setting Either aggression or fear can cause the horse to turn on you and place you in danger EQUINE FIELD OF VISION Almost 360o Monocular vision (where both eyes are used to produce a separate image) Binocular vision (where both eyes produce single image) 60-70o •Makes judging distances in front of them difficult w/o moving head Three blind spots • Directly behind them • Directly in front of their nose • Between their eyes on forehead Pay attention to posture of the head, ear position, body posture, tail position, nostrils Foot stomping=mild threat/discomfort Pawing=frustration Whinny or neigh=greeting or separation call Nicker=caregiving or care-soliciting call Squeal=close mouthed vocalization defensive and/or aggression Snort=produced in alarm or frustration/conflict EQUINE BEHAVIOR EQUINE BEHAVIOR & SOUNDS EQUINE BEHAVIOR Signs of Fear Increased tension around eyes, mouth, neck Showing sclera (whites of eyes) Flared nostrils; deep breaths Increased respiratory rate Ears forward, alert Head high EQUINE BEHAVIOR Signs of Aggression Ears pinned back Pawing Snorting Lunging forward Turning head/biting EQUINE DEFENSE MECHANISMS Striking • Use their front legs Rearing/striking Kicking • Double barrel • Cow kick Lunging forward EQUINE DEFENSE MECHANISMS INDICATIONS FOR RESTRAINT • To control an animal so that it can be given medical attention • To prevent the animal from harming itself • To protect personnel and clients EQUINE RESTRAINT • Patience is a must • Do not approach the rear of a horse • Approach left shoulder at an angle • Slow and steady movements • Talk to the animal—calm, soft voice • Avoid quick/jerking movements or loud noises • Do not chase – you will lose this race! • Remember – a frightened horse (or bovine) will go over, under or through you to get away! • Handler and examiner on the same side of the horse • Key to success is reducing their stress APPROACHING A HORSE RESTRAINT FOR HORSES Physical restraint • Halters • Lead ropes Diversionary restraint • Techniques or devices to distract horses • Lightly tapping head (manual) • Use of a twitch (mechanical) Chemical restraint • Sometimes sedation is safest for all involved HALTERS AND LEAD ROPES Rope Halter Standard Halter PARTS OF THE HALTER Crown piece buckle Cheek piece Metal cheek rings Noseband Metal nose piece Throat latch piece Connecting strap Metal tie ring LEAD ROPE DOS & DON’TS Do Don’t • Hold rope close to the snap • Hold end close to halter with R hand and extra length with L hand • Wrap the rope around hand/arm— can lead to dragging • Allow the free end to drag the ground DIVERSION RESTRAINT • Tapping forehead or under the eye • Manual twitch • Nose, neck, ear • Can loose effectiveness • Use only for a few seconds • Mechanical twitch • Rope, chain, humane • Believed that the muzzle is a pressure point and once squeezed, endorphins are released APPLYING A TWITCH Tying a horse • Noninvasive procedures • Prevent further injury • Must be monitored and should be tied with a quick release knot OTHER TYPES OF RESTRAINT: Lifting a leg • Less likely to kick with a hind foot • Used to examine limbs, prepuce, penis, or udder Hobbles-rarely used anymore • Keep horses from kicking • Purpose is to connect two limbs together (usu. hind limbs) Stocks • Horse or cattle stand within the structure Restrict movement in specific areas OTHER TYPES OF RESTRAINT: • Cradle-looks like a neck brace • Barred restraint • Tied around the neck • Prevents horse from biting/chewing itself • Can be used to prevent damage to bandages • Can be used to break habit of cribbing Tail tie • Applied with rope/brown gauze • Tie around neck and chest to prevent movement of tail • Used for rectal/vaginal exams HOW TO APPLY A TAIL TIE OTHER TYPES OF RESTRAINT: Cradle Tying Hobbles QUESTIONS?