Dr. Scott Weese, University of Guelph Researcher, outlines best practices for Horse Farm Infection Control.

Read more: Infection Disease Control tips for Horse Farms - Dr. Scott Weese (15:62)

by Missy Wryn

Are you baffled by a sudden change in your horse’s behavior? Did it seem to come on suddenly, out of the blue with no warning? Is your horse trying to bite you or kick at you, or is he getting pushy or bucking for no apparent reason? Behavior changes in your horse can be baffling, frustrating and sometimes downright dangerous! If gone unaddressed horses can end up being abused, sold or even euthanized unnecessarily.

I have often been the last stop for a horse that is otherwise on their way to be auctioned or euthanized due to problem and dangerous behavior. In order to get to the source of the behavior, I have a lengthy intake process where the answers to my numerous questions are a road map to the source of the problem behavior. Here are some questions I ask that the answers can be very telling:

1. When did you first notice the behavior change?
2. Think back, was your horse trying to tell you something before the behavior became a problem?
   • If so, in what way was your horse trying to tell you, for example little nips, pinny ears, cinchy, crow hopping?
3. Did you and/or your horse have an accident?
   • If so what were the details?
4. Was there anything going on at the barn at the time the behavior changed?
   • Did anything change in your horse’s environment i.e. did your horse lose a barn mate to moving or death?
5. Has there been any change in feed or supplements?
6. Has your horse ever had dental work?
   • If so when was the last time?
   • Were power tools used?
   • Was sedation used and if so was it heavy or light?
   • Did the dental specialist or veterinarian work with your horse’s head high in the air or did the specialist/vet work from their knees with your horse’s head down?
7. If your horse is in a stall, how many hours a day does your horse spend in the stall?
   • Does your horse pace, crib or have stall bound behaviors?
8. What position in the herd is your horse with other horses?
   • Does your horse get picked on?

As you go through this exercise don’t dismiss even the silliest thought that comes to mind, it may be a clue to unraveling your horse’s change in behavior; write down everything that you can think of.

Read more: Why the Sudden Behavior Change in My Horse?