Dr. Chris Mortensen discusses abnormal horse behaviors, also known as 'stereotypic behaviors.’
Many of these behaviors, from cribbing, pacing, and weaving, can be linked to mental stress from confinement and dietary issues. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the causes of these behaviors, pointing out there's increased research and understanding which helps devise new strategies to alleviate these stresses.
Dr. Mortensen underscores the significance of turnout time, social contact with other horses and species and diet balance. He advises horse owners to analyze their animals' diets to ensure they are nutritionally balanced and reviews the use of items such as slow feeders and enrichments as useful tools.
Podcast Timeline
00:00 Introduction to Stable Vices in Horses
00:12 Personal Experiences and Observations at the Racetrack
01:45 Understanding Stereotypic Stable Vices
04:15 Introduction to the Speaker and the Podcast
04:39 The Prevalence and Impact of Stereotypic Behaviors
06:52 Exploring Specific Stereotypic Behaviors: Cribbing
19:42 The History and Evolution of Stereotypic Behaviors
24:58 The Role of Mental Stress and Nutrition in Stereotypic Behaviors
29:18 Understanding High Energy Diets in Young Horses
30:29 The Impact of Limited Turnout Time for Horses
32:19 The Evolution of Animal Welfare in Zoos
33:12 The Misconception of Boredom in Horses
42:05 The Importance of Turnout Time for Horses
43:34 The Role of Enrichment in Horse Welfare
45:25 The Impact of Diet Variation on Horses
46:28 The Benefits of Slow Feeders for Horses
49:26 The Role of Diet in Preventing Stereotypic Behaviors
50:10 Understanding Stereotypic Behaviors in Horses
51:24 The Importance of Social Contact for Horses
52:30 Conclusion: The Importance of Understanding Horse Behavior
Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.
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