BEHAVIOR ISSUE 24_Jerkins feature.qxd 15/04/2012 22:15 Page 1
NUTRITION
CALMING INFLUENCE Nervousness, irritability and excitability in horses in training can be frustrating for trainers and sometimes dangerous for those riding out. Behaviors such as wood chewing, windsucking or cribbing are equally undesirable as they can often lead to poor condition. Occasionally these oral stereotypical behaviors can be a sign of an underlying health issue. Health conditions such as tying up or gastric ulcers are anecdotally more prevalent in horses that appear to be anxious or stressed. There is no doubt that genetic make-up, environment, and the level and type of work will influence certain aspects of behavior, so there is always a great interest among horse professionals on the effect of a diet including supplements. WORDS: CatheRine Dunnett BSC, PhD, R.nutR PhOtOS: FiOna BOyD, hORSePhOtOS.COM
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