Understanding and treating equine behavioural problems.
Authors: Carroll Sharon L, Sykes Benjamin W, Mills Paul C
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Understanding and treating equine behavioural problems Behavioural problems in horses represent a significant welfare and safety challenge, often resulting in relinquishment, re-homing, or euthanasia when unmanaged. Carroll, Sykes and Mills undertook a comprehensive review of the multifactorial causes of undesirable behaviours—spanning physiological dysfunction, management inadequacies, and inappropriate handling or training techniques—to establish a framework for effective intervention. Their analysis emphasises that successful behaviour modification requires a systematic approach integrating veterinary investigation of underlying medical causes, critical evaluation and adjustment of husbandry practices, and structured behavioural training, rather than relying on any single intervention. Notably, the authors highlight the underutilisation of psychotropic agents in equine behaviour medicine compared to small animal practice, presenting evidence that these medications can serve as a valuable adjunct to behaviour modification programmes when appropriately selected. For practitioners working across disciplines, this synthesis underscores the importance of collaborative diagnosis—ruling out pain, metabolic disturbances, and management failures before attributing problems to poor temperament or training deficits, and recognising that pharmacological support may enhance the success of behavioural rehabilitation in carefully chosen cases.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Always rule out physiological causes (pain, illness) before attributing behavioural problems to poor training or management—this requires veterinary investigation
- •Take a holistic approach combining management adjustments, appropriate training techniques, and handling modifications rather than relying on any single intervention
- •Work with your veterinarian to consider psychotropic medication as a supportive tool alongside behaviour modification training in appropriate cases, as this integrated approach is gaining evidence support
Key Findings
- •Undesirable behaviours in horses result from multiple causes including physiological issues, poor management, and inappropriate handling/training techniques
- •Effective behaviour modification requires investigation of physiological causes, assessment of management practices, and behaviour-modifying training
- •Psychotropic agents are underutilized in equine behaviour medicine compared to small animal practice but show benefits when used appropriately as part of comprehensive behaviour modification plans
- •Undesirable behaviours can lead to horse devaluation, re-homing, relinquishment, or euthanasia if not addressed