The Horse:Your Guide To Equine Health Care provides monthly equine health care information to horse owners, breeders, veterinarians, barn/farm managers, trainer/riding instructors, and others involved in the hands-on care of the horse.
Issue link: https://thehorse.epubxp.com/i/858568
49 September 2017 THE HORSE TheHorse.com the evening (he is on day turnout) he has started to pace and dig large holes. This is not behavior that is at all characteris- tic of him. He is still completely happy and relaxed in turnout and when riding, pretty much anywhere except for in his stall. We tried a different stall for a night and he exhibited that same behavior. I am at a loss as to what could have caused it or how I can help make it better. Do you have any suggestions? Lisa Lexington, Kentucky A It is difficult to make suggestions without much more information about Leo's history and manage- ment. I would recommend having an in-depth consult with an equine behavior- ist to help you figure this out—either an Animal Behavior Society-Certified Ap- plied Animal Behaviorist or a veterinarian who is board-certified in behavior and experienced with horses. Pacing and especially digging indicates that Leo is considerably stressed over something. Examples I have known over the years of sudden onset of this type of behavior in a previously comfortable environment were mostly social stress associated with changes in stall arrange- ments, etc., which I imagine you would have recognized and mentioned in your question. Other odd situations I can remember include fairly negative experi- ences in that environment: stray elec- tricity, static electricity from a synthetic blanket, and exposure to a wild animal (pig, sheep, snake, mountain lion in barn). In the meantime until you figure it out, if at all possible, I would recommend leaving him turned out 24/7 where he is happy. Schoolmasters as School Horses Q Do retired, well-schooled show horses really make good begin- ners' horses, even if they could be considered packers? How many of the school horses out there truly "appreciate" or enjoy their jobs? Gill via e-mail A Now that's a tough question, since I have not followed many horses closely from a show career into retirement as school horses. But, in general, it is reasonable to expect that for a well-schooled show horse that has been well-conditioned to reasonably consistent cues from balanced riders in relatively standard exercises and show routines, transitioning to a job as a beginner or any lower-level lesson horse is not exactly an easy retirement. The ever-changing rider and routine of the lesson horse job can pose unfair psy- chological, and even physical, challenges for any horse, young or old, previously highly schooled or not. So many of the school horses I see do appear stressed by the inconsistency from rider to rider and the often-contradictory cues of beginner and intermediate riders that result in an understandably confused and conflicted state. The same is especially true for horses used in certain types of therapy. That's likely why so many appear to shut down in a state of learned helplessness ( TheHorse.com/39157). The only thing worse than this for me to watch is the trainer who becomes frustrated with the poor horse in these moments of confusion. And then there are the packers ... blessed are those rare individuals that keep on ticking and don't appear to be stressed. You raise a very good point that, again, is difficult to answer. Even though these horses may not appear to be as bothered as others, you have to wonder. h Lollying Around Q My 4-year-old gelding plays with his tongue every night in his stall at feeding time when he's waiting on his hay: http://bit. ly/2tMXPrc. Why would a horse do this? Is it because new teeth are grow- ing in, or is he just bored? Jennifer via e-mail A Great video clip! This behav- ior goes by a few names, but lollying is probably the most common. I couldn't appreciate if there was any sucking, as well. There are actually many variations of tongue and lip movements in various combinations and specific forms. All are pretty peculiar and very interest- ing. As far as I know, no one knows for sure why some horses do it. These oral behaviors appear to be more common among orphan foals, particularly bucket-fed foals. Also, oral be- haviors often develop soon after weaning in early weaned foals. So one theory is that the behavior may fill the need for sucking. These tongue behaviors, like cribbing, may also increase salivation, which can help buffer stomach acids. Many early weaned foals and orphan foals have gastric ulcers. It is quite common for adult horses with cribbing and other aberrant oral behaviors to have gastric ulcers, as well. When the gastric ulcers are treated and eliminated, the abnormal behavior often subsides. It usually doesn't go away altogether but, rather, decreases. In your horse's case, because the behavior occurs when he is waiting for his hay, it may, like cribbing, serve to increase saliva to buf- fer the stomach acids that are flowing in anticipation of feeding. So I would recommend having your veterinarian perform gastroscopy and treat him for gastric ulcers, if necessary. I have not heard of these unusual oral behaviors associated with teeth coming in. One theory is that oral behaviors increase salivation and help buffer stomach acids.