Reinforcement and Behavior

Just like humans, horses need encouragement. This encouragement, or more appropriately, reinforcement is used as a tool to better train horses. During reinforcement phases, trainers either reward or punish horses based on their response to cues. The end result of training using reinforcement is a horse that responds to cues accurately, even after long intervals between the reinforcement. 

There are two main stages of reinforcement: acquisition, and finished (fully trained horse). In the acquisition stage, horses must be reinforced on short schedules. Schedules refer to how often a horse is reinforced. Finished or fully trained horses can be determined by their ability to go without reinforcement on much longer schedules.

As with any type of equine behavior, varying from horse to horse, the amount of reinforcement needed varies depending on the individual. There are many factors that affect the horses ability to learn and retain new responses. One factor is the environment the animal was raised up in. Horses that are trained and handled at an earlier age are more predictable and docile. Genetics also play a large role in the cognition of horses. Some horses learn and memorize information more easily than others do. There can also be a combination of early experiences and genetics that affect a horses ability to learn and respond to reinforcement.

Reinforcement plays a large role in equine memory. Once a behavior is learned, reinforcement aids the horse in memorizing what they have acquired. According to the Horse Industry Handbook, no reinforcement could result in the “extinction” of a learned behavior. While this response may indicate that the horse has forgotten, sometimes the horse ignores behavior that is not reinforced regularly enough. Reinforcement can also be used in reverse and applied to unwanted behaviors. Behaviors that are unwanted can go “extinct” if they are not reinforced. 

Sources: Horse Industry Handbook

 

Written by Sean Nunnery, Bladen County Summer Intern

Sheath Cleaning: The Why and How

Over the holiday weekend, I was able to have dinner with an old friend who is also an equine veterinarian that sees many different issues and problems in his daily rounds.  During our conversation, I asked him what is one management practice he thought horse owners should think about more often.  His immediate response was that sheath cleaning should be made a part of every gelding or stallion owner’s care plan if it is not already.

A dirty sheath can cause a gelding or stallion discomfort and irritation and over time could lead to infection and, in rare cases, even lameness as grime and dirt build up in the protective double fold of skin over the horse’s penis.  This build up can form a hard ball called a “bean” as natural gland secretions in the sheath called smegma mix with dirt and dead skin cells. This bean can get caught near the opening of the urethra and in time cause difficulty or painful urination.  While not every male horse will need sheath cleaning every time examined, it is a good practice to check your horse’s sheath at least twice a year.  A good time to do this is when your horse is already tranquilized for a veterinary or dental procedure as this is when your horse is more relaxed and the penis will be extended for easier access.

While wearing latex gloves and using caution to avoid being kicked, wet soft (roll) cotton or a sanitized sponge with warm water and a mild, non-abrasive soap.  There are commercial cleaners available or dish soap works well as it breaks down the grime and grease well.  Apply a very small amount of soap or cleanser to the wet cotton or sponge and then apply to the penis, scrubbing gently.  Rinse well with more cotton or clean sponge soaked in warm water, carefully washing off the grime and all soapy residue.  It is then important to search for a “bean” by using a finger to very gently run around the outer edge of the sheath in the pocket that is just above the urethral opening.  If there is one present, it can gently be squeezed out with some pressure.

Always have a holder for your horse and practice caution and good hygiene during the cleaning, never using force.  Do not hesitate to ask your veterinarian or someone with more experience for guidance or help, particularly when working with breeding stallions.  Also, many veterinarians will perform the cleaning for a minimal fee if they are already tranquilizing your horse for another procedure.   

Keeping Horses Calm on the 4th

Celebrating Independence Day with fireworks is fun and exciting, but maybe not for some of our equine friends.  Check out the following article for tips on how to keep your horses safe.

https://thehorse.com/110527/tips-for-keeping-horses-safe-during-july-4th-festivities/

Caring for Horses in the Heat

I think it's time we all face it - it's the summertime and it's hot! Similar to humans, horses can also experience heat stress and heat related symptoms. Below are a few tips to help keep your horse safe during the hot summer. 

Provide fresh, clean water along with a trace mineral or salt block. When it's hot out having fresh, clean water available will encourage horses to drink. The trace mineral or salt block will help balance the horse's electrolytes. 

Provide shade with good ventilation. Even though horses may not always use it, it is important to provide shade. A run-in shed or trees work great for shade. If the shaded area is poorly ventilated, use a fan to help air movement. 

Ride your horse in the coolest part of the day. Generally, early in the morning and later in the evening are the coolest times to ride. If it is hot out be sure to decrease the intensity and duration of your ride. It is recommended to avoid riding if the air temperature and the relative humidity exceed 150 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Be sure to extend your cool down time after exercise. Horses need to have their skin exposed for evaporative heat loss to occur, so remove tack for a faster cool down. Horse or sponge the horse with cool water focusing on key areas, such as the chest and between the back legs. It is important to get the excess water off after hosing or sponging. If excess water is left on the horse's body it can actually cause the horse to re-heat. This process of hosing or sponging and sweat scraping excess water may have to be repeated multiple times until the horse is completely cooled off. 

It is important to recognize signs of heat stress. Heat stress signs in horses are similar to those in humans. Indicators include rapid respiratory rate or labored breathing, high rectal temperature at rest, unusual sweat response (too much or too little), lethargy, and decreased appetite.

Follow these tips to keep your horse safe in the heat.