The mare may kick or bite the foal when it approaches to nurse, or the mare may run away from the approaching foal. Occasionally stallion-like behaviour towards the foal may be exhibited which is likely to cause injury or death to the foal. Foal rejection may be treated through the use of restraints such as stocks or hopples, tranquillizers, hand nursing or hand milking or the use of a surrogate mother to raise the foal.
Depression
Depression is not very well recognized in horses. It can present in many different ways and be caused by many different situations. Notable causes include change of pasture/stable mate, change in environment/diet/work and chronic pain. Signs and symptoms can include anorexic, weight loss, the horses appears withdrawn and not engaged, immobility, delayed blinking of the eyes, lowered head carriage and decreased cortisol levels. Many horses tend to develop compulsive or uncharacteristic behaviours. Treatment is to engage the horse through stimulus. Horses may respond to a change in their environment, a new pasture/stable mate or through the use of medications.
Head Shaking
Head shaking in the absence of apparent physical stimulus such as a fly is considered a stereotypical behavior.
2 main etiologies include seasonal (spring-fall), which is idiopathic or trigeminal nerve irritation.
Horses with head shaking present with vertical shaking of head, snorting or sneezing and rubbing of nose. The shaking can be intermittent or continuous, can occur while the horse is at rest or during work and can be violent enough that it can make them hard to handle. To differentiate between behavioural and trigeminal induced headshaking, a nerve block can be administered.
Treatments include nose nets, face masks and various medications.
Self-Mutilation
Many situations involving pain or discomfort or social frustration can lead to a horse to self- mutilate. Stallions are more prone to self-mutilation due to social isolation.
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