Document type : Article published on Farm.com
Authors: Carissa Wickens, Camie Heleski
Preview: Stereotypic behaviors are defined as repetitive, relatively unvarying patterns of behavior with no obvious goal or function. A horse that displays stereotypic behavior tends to perform the behavior in nearly the exact same way every time, and many horses also perform the behavior in a preferred location, e.g., in a specific area of the stall or paddock. This article will share what we have learned about stereotypic behaviors through science, and how this information can be applied to better manage and thus improve the welfare of horses with stereotypic behavior.
Stereotypic behaviors (STBs) are often referred to as "stable vices". However, we are moving away from using this terminology to describe stereotypies, as research studies aimed at further investigating STBs in horses are demonstrating that these behaviors are not simply the result of boredom. These behaviors are not an attempt by the horse to be a nuisance to their owner and should not be considered to be the fault of the horse. Although the exact, underlying cause(s) of STBs remain unknown, we have gained a better understanding of how, or rather why, stereotypic behaviors develop in horses. The development and continued performance of stereotypic behaviors appear to have a physiological or psychological basis.
