Show Notes
What do horses do all day? What should they be doing all day compared to their wild counterparts? A critical topic for any horse owner or enthusiast.
In this episode, Dr. Chris Mortensen, an equine educator and researcher, discusses the experience of observing the behaviors of equids throughout the day. He notes the vital importance of understanding the natural behaviors of horses and other equids as it influences how they are managed, fed, and looked after.
Dr. Mortensen references multiple studies comparing behavior patterns - observing time spending habits, natural behaviors, and common stress behaviors particularly when horses are in confined spaces or too densely packed. He stresses on the importance of sufficient feeding, exercise, and turnout time for the overall health and well-being of the horses.
Podcast Timeline
00:01 Introduction to Equine Behavior Study
00:43 The Start of My First Behavioral Study
00:56 The Process of Recording Equine Behavior
02:25 Observations from the Behavioral Study
04:20 Introduction to the Speaker and the Topic
05:35 The Importance of Understanding Equine Behavior
06:03 The Impact of Behavior Research on Equine Management
06:45 The Natural Behavior of Horses
08:24 The Behavior of Wild Equids
10:40 The Behavior of Domestic Horses
14:55 The Importance of Turnout Time for Horses
17:40 Times of foraging for horses
24:42 The Impact of Pasture Density on Equine Behavior
29:12 The Behavior of Stalled Horses
38:15 The Importance of Proper Management for Horses
39:12 Conclusion and Call to Action
Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.
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