Equine Behaviour Referrals

RE: Equine Behaviour Referrals

Virginia Campbell — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 06:38:35 GMT

Just looked at the Pony Club website. Membership has declined by 30% since its peak 35 years ago. I wonder if that has something to do with the decline in handling standards. Or is the handling of horses starting to mirror the handling of pet dogs...babying them, buying pink sparkly browbands and bags and bags of heavily marketed treats and letting the overfed brats drag them all over the place?

RE: Equine Behaviour Referrals

Jill Butterworth — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 09:38:08 GMT

Hi Wren, thank you for your reply, this is a good topic to put 'out there'. I would define a 'behaviour' problem, as anything untoward that the client can't manage or understand, and clearly the range is huge. A good behaviourist can spot the links you allude to which are relevant in all aspects of management and yes, handling and loading problems are often inter-related, but an owner doesn't perceive a problem until they want to compete, for example. It's hugely time consuming to get a detailed history.

Many handling and ridden 'problems' are social gestures aimed at us and so can also be related, but very often are caused by pain/tack/rider, and teasing these apart is the skill, slow motion often helps to look at the subtle changes in body language and timing.

I would concur that many people have horses these days without the handling skills that were passed down, and many of these methods were good and worked. The rise in celebrity methods is a worrying trend, some things work, but used on the wrong horse (i.e. without a correct diagnosis) they can be very dangerous/inhumane as they are not a panacea.

I did a certificate with the Society of Equine Behaviour Consultants (SEBC) (I had a reasonable amount of previous horse experience and my BHSAI) and there were plenty of 'Ah Ha' moments as we were taught detailed behaviour observation, tension signs, social behaviour, learning theory and retraining methods etc. A really big part is knowing when to refer to a horse vet/saddler/physio etc. (including analysis of those difficult cases). It's basically putting science and names to things you are bound to have encountered as a horse person and finding the best way (if possible) to help an owner to fix the problem within their capabilities and facilities.

The behaviour societies are attempting to work together but are in state of flux, and are frequently not in agreement. New research is happening all the time, as animal behaviour is such a popular science subject, but is sometimes piecemeal, and would benefit, in my view, from Evidence Based centralisation, such as the RCVS is trying to implement.

The reason for my question (at last!) was to help the SEBC decide whether to continue without insisting consultants gain permission from the client's vet or whether we should change our policy.

RE: Equine Behaviour Referrals

Wren — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 09:44:12 GMT

It's an interesting question and I think I'd need you to define what you class as behaviour referrals, as to be honest it's not really a phrase that you come across in the horse world.

I actually get asked about this sort of thing pretty rarely as a vet, but quite frequently as an experienced horse-person and backer/breaker. In the past I'd have taken on some of these (especially the ridden issues) myself, but as I get older my appetite for retraining something which has taken to bucking the rider off every 100yds has rather diminished! Where we do get involved it's often at the 'teeth/back/ulcers/ovaries' rule out stage - these are the things that horse people generally are advised to get checked before assuming a problem is behavioural. I'd say the majority of (particualry ridden) behavioural problems have a pain element somewhere, which would place them in our hands, but it can be the very devil to pin down. These horses generally have very very vague clinical signs and even when you find something it can be hard to judge the relevance - some horses keep trooping on with horrific impinging DSPs on radiographs, others down tools with tiny radiographic changes. And insurance companies are often reluctant to pay out thousands on 'fishing trips' for something that may or may not be physical. Some only pay if you can find a definite physical problem.

I think behavioural problems break down into a range of groups - handling problems, loading problems, ridden problems etc. and I'd probably recommend different people for different things, although there is often a bit of cross-over. It's interesting how often people have, for instance, a non-loader which, when you question them, turns out to be generally bargy to lead, or nappy to ride, but they haven't connected the dots.

Assuming we've ruled out physical problems, there are a couple of blokes round here (old-fashioned 'nagsmen') that I'd recommend for ridden problems - these guys are firm, but fair and stick like glue. Ideally once they've 'fixed' the horse they have the owner along for a few days so that they can teach the owner how to cope themselves. Are they qualified? I highly doubt it, but their experience is worth a thousand pieces of paper.

There are quite a few people who specialise in loading problems (and again, assuming you've ruled out things like poor driving, a weak trailer/lorry floor, tried the horse in a lorry if it usually travels in a trailer, and vice versa etc. etc.). I know a couple that I'd recommend locally, plus there are a couple of big names who will travel pretty much anywhere, for a price. Unlikely to have qualifications either!

Handling problems are another similar issue, and I'd probably use a similar group of people.

For me, qualifications are not really important, but insurance is essential, and methods and results are also. If someone asked my opinion on someone I was not familiar with I'd ask them to visit the trainer, chat to some of their current clients and watch them working with horses either on video or in the flesh, and only proceed if they were totally happy with all aspects.

I have to say that I can't remember ever making a formal veterinary referral in this field. I suggest people I think will be able to help if I'm asked. I think it's nice to have an input (though again, I believe my advice is sought more because of my horse experience than my being a vet), but ultimately this seems to be a client decision.

You will have to forgive me if I am preaching to someone who knows all of the above!

I have some thoughts on general manners and handling, which I feel has markedly decreased as a skill over the last 15-20 years (I have thoughts on the reasons too!). This makes life increasingly difficult and sometimes dangerous for us as vets - I am currently writing a piece on this for publication. However I am not quite sure if this is included in what you are asking about?