The Domestic Horse The Origins, Development and Management of its Behaviour

Since it was originally domesticated in the late Neolithic period, the horse has been used for transport, labor, food and recreational purposes. This book enables the reader to gain insight into the past and present behavior of this fascinating animal as well as its profound effect upon human society. It will appeal to animal scientists and to those working with horses in a professional capacity as well as enthusiastic owners.

Humans have had a profound influence on the horse since its domestication in the late Neolithic period. Used for transport, labour, food and recreation, horses have become important in many facets of our society. Daniel Mills and Sue McDonnell have produced an exceptional account of our current knowledge of the development and management of the behaviour of the horse, from its wild roots. The Domestic Horse, first published in 2005, brings together, for the first time, an unrivalled collection of international scientific authors to write on the latest findings concerning the behaviour and welfare of this beautiful animal. Illustrated throughout, The Domestic Horse will appeal to animal scientists, those working with horses in a professional capacity and the owner/enthusiast. It also provides sound complementary reading for animal/equine science courses and veterinary students.

Part I. Origins and Selection of Horse Behaviour: 1. Domestication and early history of the horse M. A. Levine; 2. The horse in human society S. J. G. Hall; 3. Individual differences in the domestic horse, origins, development and stability M. Hausberger and M. A. Richard-Yris; Part II. The Natural Behaviour of Horses in the Wild and Domestic Environment: 4. Behavioural ecology of feral horses L. Boyd and R. Keiper; 5. Relationships and communication in socially natural horse herds C. Feh; 6. Maintenance behaviours K. A. Houpt; 7. Sexual behaviour S. M. McDonnell; 8. Maternal behaviour and mare-foal interaction S. L. Crowell-Davis and J. W. Weeks; 9. Ontogeny: preparing the young horse for its adult life J. Ladewig, E. Søndergaard and J. Winther Christensen; 10. Equine play behaviour D. Goodwin and C. F. Hughes; Part III. The Impact of the Domestic Environment on the Horse: 11. Rider-horse relationship D. S. Mills and J. McNicholas; 12. Learning abilities in the horse C. J. Nicol; 13. Horse training N. K. Waran and R. Casey; 14. Behavioural problems with the ridden horse P. McGreevy and A. McLean; 15. Repetitive movement problems in the horse D. S. Mills; 16. Equine behaviour and welfare J. J. Cooper and M. J. Albentosa; Index.

Since the horse was domesticated it has had a profound influence on human society, being used for transport, labour, food and recreation. This fascinating 2005 book gives an insight into the behaviour of the domestic horse and will appeal to scientists, those working with horses and to enthusiastic owners, alike.

Daniel S. Mills is principal lecturer in behavioural studies and animal welfare and director of the animal behaviour referral clinic at the University of Lincoln. He is the first specialist in veterinary behavioural medicine to be formally recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and has published widely on behaviour problems in the domestic horse and is co-author of Equine Behaviour, Principles and Practice.
Sue M. McDonnell is an associate professor and founding head of the Havemeyer Equine Behavior Programme at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, New Bolton Center. She has published widely on stallion sexual behaviour and dysfunction and is author of The Equid Ethogram, A Practical Field Guide to Horse Behavior.