Understanding Horse Body Language

Summary

Perception and communication in horses will be discussed including auditory (neigh, nicker, roar, snort); visual (ears, tail, nostrils) and olfactory (feces, urine, breath and equine appeasing pheromone) and the role of flehmen (lip curl) in the special sense perceived in the vomeronasal organ.

Presenter Information

Katherine Houpt, James Law Professor of animal behavior, is a veterinarian. She is also a PhD and board certified by the American College of Veterinary behaviorists. She has published a textbook titled Domestic Animal Behavior, now in its fourth edition, as well as numerous scientific articles. Her current research interests are cribbing and foal rejection. Dr. Houpt also has a column in Horse and Rider magazine. Dr. Houpt has ridden and fallen off horses in more countries than most and rides her grey Arabian gelding at home. See the Behavior Clinic website for more information on Dr. Houpt's research program at Cornell University.

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