Horses are very social animals who develop strong bonds with other horses, animals, and humans. Horses naturally seek leadership and establish and maintain their rank in herd pecking orders. Disrespect happens when a horse does not see humans as their leader. But what are the signs of a disrespectful horse, and what can you do…
Communication is necessary for survival in every species. Animals communicate using sound and nonverbal communication like gestures since they cannot use words. With this in mind, how do horses communicate? The sounds horses use to communicate with their herd members, other horses, and different species include whinnies, neighs, nickers, and squeals. They can also communicate…
Watching a herd of wild horses at a full gallop is a sight to behold. They communicate changes of pace and direction almost invisibly, and not one crashes into another! Wild horses form strong bonds with each other, and herd life is vital for survival. So why is it that sometimes wild horses get kicked…
Just like humans, horses can bully each other. In most cases, horses exhibit some form of dominant behavior to establish or maintain rank within a herd. But what happens when this behavior goes too far? Equine bullying can cause considerable harm to other horses, both physically and mentally. But how can you stop a horse…
Weaving is a repetitive swaying motion exhibited by some horses in stables or along fence lines. Similar to nail biting in humans, it is a coping mechanism for horses. Weaving has been shown to cause a release of endorphins, or ‘feel-good’ hormones. This means it can very easily and quickly become an addictive habit! This…
If you’ve ever fallen off and ‘eaten dirt’, as the saying goes, you’ll know that it doesn’t taste very good! Yet, some horses choose to eat or lick dirt, sometimes in large amounts. So, if it doesn’t taste very good, why do they do it? And more importantly, if your horse is eating dirt, is…
The topic of weaving is a common one amongst the equestrian community. You might have seen adverts of horses for sale stating that the horse weaves. Or you might have seen a horse in your barn who weaves whenever they are stabled. So, what makes weaving bad for horses? Weaving is a behavior that horses…
For the vast majority of horses across the world, hay makes up over half of their diet. Horses require lots of fiber in their diet, and feeding hay is a great way to achieve this. Hay is simply dried and baled grass and is a staple in most equine diets. That is why it is…
Dealing with the passing of a pet is never easy. When it’s a much-loved equine, there are also many other things to consider, such as dealing with the body, which can make it just a bit harder. However, amidst the grief, it’s interesting to wonder whether or not horses know when they are going to…
Weaving is a common vice that many horses have. It is usually developed due to boredom, isolation, and stress. It is a repetitive rocking and swaying behavior traditionally done inside a stall. However, sometimes weaving can occur while a horse is out in the field. Why is my horse weaving in the field? Horses can…