A horse is a horse - of course: Horse behaviour explained or What you really need to know about horses so that you don't make mistakes - Softcover

Myers, Jane; Myers, Stuart

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0994156138 ISBN 13: 9780994156136

Publisher: Equiculture Publishing, 2011

Synopsis

Understanding horse behaviour is a very important part of caring for horses properly. It is very easy to convince yourself that your horse is content to do all of the things that you enjoy, but a better approach is to understand that your horse sees the world quite differently to you, after all, you are a primate (hunter/gatherer) and your horse is a very large hairy herbivore! So it's not surprising that you both have a very different view of the world. We recommend that if in doubt take everything 'back to basics' and think about what a horse has evolved to be. This book describes horse behaviour in both the wild 'natural' environment and in the domestic environment. It then looks at how you can reduce stress in the domestic horse by understanding and acknowledging their real needs, resulting in a more ‘well-adjusted’, content and thriving animal. Do your horse a favour and read this book!

About this title

About the Author

Jane Myers MSc (Equine Science) is the author of several professional books about horses including the best selling book Managing Horses on Small Properties (published by CSIRO). Jane is particularly interested in sustainable horsekeeping practices and issues, such as low stress horse management that also delivers environmental benefits. Jane has lived and breathed horses from a young age and considers herself to be very fortunate in that she has been able to spend her life riding, training and studying these amazing animals. Stuart Myers (BSc) has a background in human behaviour and has been a horse husband for more years than he cares to remember! Stuart and Jane present workshops to horse owners in Australia, the USA and the UK about sustainable horse and horse property management as part of their business, Equiculture. See the Equiculture website www.equiculture.com.au where you will find lots of great information about horsekeeping and please join the mailing list while you are there!

Review

This book that looks into horse behaviour, succinctly explains what any horse carer or owner should know about typical horse behaviour and needs. Jane and Stuart Myers have provided another informative book that should be read by any horse fan. It covers what horses are (and what they are not!) as well as horse behaviour and lifestyle. In today's society, horses are often utilised for pleasure or performance and the way in which we keep them differs vastly to what they are used to - or need! - in the wild. Domestication can result in digestive problems (colic, ulcers, laminitis) and stereotypic behaviours such as crib biting or box walking. Jane and Stuart look at what horses need to be comfortable and healthy, and explain why some methods of horse keeping do not provide this. A Horse is a Horse is a straight forward read that has the potential to set many horse owners straight in a non accusing way. If you keep horses, you owe it to them to read this book and find out if there are ways that your management could be in need of adjustment - for your horses' benefit. By Christine Meunier on January 14, 2015, Amazon A well thought out factual and very readable book packed with information about the needs of horses. Suitable for both the beginner and the expert. Thought provoking about how humans anthropomorphise about horses (putting a human perspective on how horses feel/think etc) and understanding that horses are herd animals with all the encompassing characteristics. Hopefully, it will make more people aware of horses' needs, understand better training methods and take the appropriate action. Easy to read and understand and worthy of being an equine textbook. By Roz Bergman on February 20, 2015, Amazon This book is a must have for all horse owners and those who work in the equine industry. Understanding horse behaviour is vital in providing an environment that compliments a horse's desire to perform natural behaviours and social activities. I learnt more from reading this book than I did studying equine behaviour during my equine science degree. Another brilliant publication by Jane and Stuart Myers, who continue to educate others in sustainable horse keeping practices and issues. By Bec Feasey on October 2, 2013, Amazon If you don't have this book on your shelf, then at the very least you need it on your Kindle! Knowing why your horse is a horse, is critically important for all aspects of good healthcare, nutrition, and training. Packed with a ton of great information based on current scientific research and a wealth of experience, this book breaks it down into easy to read, informative and enjoyable chunks....with not a hint of pseudoscience babble in sight! I have been recommending the whole Myers' Sustainable Horse Keeping series to my clients for some time now; I'm glad to see them becoming more widely accessible in Kindle format. By Jayne Roberts on October 12, 2013, Amazon A very thought-provoking book. Stuart and Jane have a very clear way of writing that is easy to understand. There is a lot of information here so you will need to read it again! Over all a great book; I wish I had had this before I got my first horse. By Linda on February 17, 2015, Amazon

Edition details

• Publisher: Equiculture Publishing
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0994156138
• ISBN 13: 9780994156136
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 108