Horse Behaviour Explained*

A general guide to understanding horse behaviour, how the horse learns and how horse handlers can adjust their behaviour to avoid creating anxiety in the horse. The author begins by providing an overview of the evolution of the horse and the consequences of domestication. She goes on to provide a very detailed description of normal equine behaviour and its impact on husbandry and training. This is followed by the causes of abnormal and undesirable behaviour in the stable, handling and when being ridden. The author links difficulties arising from the management of horses today with the natural behaviour of the horse and recommends therapeutic, as well as training, methods for horses exhibiting behavioural problems.