Synopses & Reviews
First published in 1983, the second edition of this informative book remains the most comprehensive and current overview of the behavioral traits and adaptations of horses. The book integrates findings from hundreds of international researchers to provide the reader a factual synthesis of the behavior of domestic and feral horses. Building on the strengths of the first edition, the author has thoroughly updated coverage of horse ancestry, development, perception, learning, play, social behavior, behavioral manipulation, maintenance activities, and sexual behavior.
In this second edition more emphasis has been given to animal husbandry and management. Additionally, the second edition includes an all-new section on ecological influences on activity patterns, habitat utilization, social behavior and reproduction. An expanded section on applied ethology provides behavioral considerations for management and insight regarding the behavioral indicators of horse health and well being. This is followed with an updated appendix listing behavioral symptoms and possible causes. The text contains numerous tables and nearly 100 illustrations and photos.
Review
One of the people out there studying horses is Dr. Waring, a professor at Southern Illinois University. He uses big words such as polyphasic, but defines them, "The daily sleep cycle of horses is polyphasic, that is, with more than one period of sleep occurring per 24-hour period." He gives the academically correct citations of studies, yet describes the results in language the rest of us can understand. I dare any horseperson of any experience level to read it and not learn something.
"Katherine Walcott, Eventing USA, Issue Two, 2003"
Review
Horse Behavior, 2nd edition, is a very well researched book that addresses a through review of normal horse behavior. Dr. Waring brings together references from a wide variety of disciplines, often from very difficult to get sources, and integrates them with his own research into a comprehensive picture of the horse. Each chapter is well orgainzed in its contents, resulting in a book that will be an excellent reference. This is a "must have" for any serious student of horse behavior and for those who just enjoy the animal. "Bonnie V. Beaver, BS, DVM, MS, DACVB, Texas AandM University"
Review
"The coverage in the book is incredibly broad, thorough and detailed." - Cheryl Asa, Director of Research, St. Louis Zoo
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 385-413) and index.
Table of Contents
Part I: Introduction 1. Ancestry of the Horse
2. Perception and Orientation
3. Motor Patterns
PART II: BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT
4. Ontogeny of Behavior Patterns
5. Play
6. Investigative Behavior
7. Learning and Memory
PART III: MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES
8. Resting and Sleep
9. Ingestive Behavior
10. Eliminative Behavior
11. Comfort Behavior
PART IV: REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR
12. Sexual Behavior of Stallions
13. Sexual Behavior of Mares
14. Maternal Behavior
PART V: SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
15. Social Organization
16. Social Attachment
17. Home Range and Territoriality
18. Social Dominance
19. Agonistic Behavior
20. Communicative Behavior
PART VI: ECOLOGICAL INFLUENCES
21. Interaction of Horses and Their Environment
22. Ecological Influences on Reproduction and Social Behavior
PART VII: APPLIED ETHOLOGY
23. Behavioral Considerations in Horse Management
24. Behavioral Manipulation
25. Behavioral Indicators Relevant to Health and Well-being
APPENDIX
Variety of Equine Behavioral Symptoms and Possible Problems Indicated
Expressions and Postures
Perception Changes
Orientation Changes
Coordination Changes
Maintenance Behavior Changes
Social Abnormalities
Problem Behaviors (Vices)