Weaving (horse)

Weaving is a behavior displayed by some horses in which the horse repetitively sways side to side, shifting its weight and moving its head and neck back and forth. It may also include swaying of the rest of the body and picking up the front legs, and is categorized as a stable vice.[1] Some horses exhibit non-stereotypical weaving, and instead engage in variations on this behavior [2].

Causes

Horses often perform this vice due to stress. Horses tend to weave near the door of their stall, possibly because they desire to leave the stall, as this would resolve the underlying cause (boredom). Horses also sometimes weave near a window to the aisle or the exterior of the stable, which would provide visual stimulation. Some horses that have developed the habit will also weave while turned out, signifying that the problem is not solely one of confinement. Although it is commonly thought that weaving is caused by boredom, many experts consider it a stress response, usually due to isolation from other horses, general discontent or unhappiness, or insufficient grazing time.

Many horsemen believe weaving is a learned habit. However, some experts theorize that weaving could be more likely to develop in horses with a genetic predisposition [3]. Thus, there is a debate over whether weaving is a learned behavior that horses pick up by observing another horse who weaves, or if it is an inborn tendency that develops under a certain set of environmental conditions. However, these two arguments fail to take into account the fact that most behaviors can be both genetically and environmentally influenced; it is possible that both sides are correct to some extent. Horses that exhibit non-stereotypic weaving do not necessarily begin after watching another horse weaving (stereotypical or non-stereotypical), suggesting that horses can being weaving without learning it from another horse [2]. Some people claim that it is usually safe to allow other horses to see a weaver, unless it is known that the horse may be genetically predisposed (their sire or dam was a weaver). [3] Others feel it is caused by environmental factors, and that other horses in the same setting will pick up the behavior once a single horse starts. However, this may be due to all horses experiencing similar stresses, and thus engaging in similar behavior. Weaving may also be caused by anticipation of predictable events such as feeding or turnout, as the behavior has been observed to increase prior to these events [2]

Negative effects

Weaving is generally not a very damaging vice over short periods of time, but horses that are consistent weavers over time may have abnormal hoof wear, and slowly stress their joints. The stall floor may also come to have uneven wear. The overall value of a horse is not necessarily diminished by its weaving, but the underlying cause of stress or boredom that is causing the behavior should be investigated and rectified to ensure the horse's well-being.

Management

Like most vices, weaving is a very difficult habit to break, and may not disappear even after the original problem has been resolved. However, there are several ways to manage a weaver and reduce its stress:

  • Allow a weaver to see other horses, even if he is stalled separately.
  • Provide a companion for the horse, if possible. Some options include goats, cats, or chickens for such horses.
  • Provide visual stimulation. In a stall, an open window often helps the situation.
  • Keep the horse occupied when stalled. For example, provide a good supply of hay or a toy.
  • Allow the horse to spend more time spend outside of its stall. This mimics a horse's natural environment more closely and should reduce stress levels.
  • Hanging a mirror in a stall often helps weaving, because the horse believes there is a nearby horse. This trick is often very effective, and recent studies in the UK have demonstrated that it can reduce weaving by 97%.[4] Note that the mirror should be made from stainless steel to minimize safety concerns.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Cooper J., McGreevy P. (2007) Stereotypic Behaviour in the Stabled Horse: Causes, Effects and Prevention without Compromising Horse Welfare. In: Waran N. (eds) The Welfare of Horses. Animal Welfare, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-306-48215-1_5
  2. 1 2 3 Clegg, Heather A., Buckley, P., Friend, Michael A., McGreevy, Paul D. "The ethological and physiological characteristics of cribbing and weaving horses". Applied Animal Behaviour Science, January 2008. Retrieved September 26, 2018, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2007.02.001
  3. 1 2 McAfee, Lynn M., Mills, Daniel S., & Cooper, Jonathan J. "The use of mirrors for the control of sterotypic weaving behaviour in the stabled horse". Applied Animal Behaviour. September 10, 2002. Retrieved on September 26, 2018, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2007.02.001
  4. ↑ Harding, Justine. "Another Look at Weaving." The Horse, April 1, 2005. Web site accessed July 27 , 2007 at https://thehorse.com/128380/weaving-in-horses-another-look/
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