I thought this was such a great article that I'd post it right now, instead of waiting for me to get my inbox in order!
I think it's sooo relevant to horses as well - I've lost track of how many times I've heard people say that because a horse has such and such a "behavioural problem" it therefore must have been abused. Particularly now that there are so many self-proclaimed behaviour experts around to do the "diagnosis" and "rehab"!
Catherine, that's a brilliant article! It's all too easy to assume that animals have developed behavioural problems because they 'must have been abused' when in fact they are simply in pain! Or there may be other, external factors at work. At the Classical Riding Club Conference last year, where I was one of the speakers, I was quizzed by two girls about something my friend Racheal had said about one of our mares. This is one of our home-bred horses, and we've had a few problems with her aggressive behaviour. She's a feisty mare who doesn't suffer fools gladly, and is one of those horses who are very protective of their personal space. This is exacerbated by the fact that in bad weather she has to share a stable (albeit a very big one) with her mother. This situation will very shortly be remedied, and I know from past experience that once she has more personal space, this mare won't be a problem - in most situations she is, in fact, very easy to handle. So her aggression, then, is a natural feistiness exacerbated by very much less than ideal conditions which will, as I say, be remedied as soon as it becomes practical to do so.
But these two girls were convinced that something must have happened to the mare to make her afraid of humans. They kept asking me what had happened to her, and I could tell they didn't believe me when I said that nothing had happened to her; I've known her since the day she was born and she's certainly not afraid of humans. They insisted that her aggression was a fear reaction (which it can be in many situations, as we know) and wouldn't accept that in her case it's just that she's very protective of her personal space - some horses are, some aren't - just like humans. We have 2 other horses who (because of circumstances I won't bore you with) have also had to double up in bad weather - Zareeba and our 2 year old, Tariel. Yet there have been no problems with either of them - they seem to like being in each other's personal space.
This is one reason why, when I'm approached at seminars, conferences etc about behaviour problems, I'm very reluctant even to make suggestions (quite apart from the fact that what some people see as 'problem' behaviour, i often just see as 'normal' behaviour for the species!) It's easy to trot out glib diagnoses when in fact it's very often only after prolonged and systematic study of an individual that one can even come close to understanding why they behave as they do...
Dear Leslie,
I found reading your message regarding your mare fascinating since I've recently had a similar conversation about my own guelding who also exhibits some unwanted behaviours over the winter months.
My situation is that, at present, I am on a yard so I'm very much at the mercy of the owners. If the weather is bad, they insist that we keep the horses in while the fields drain. Every time this happens I get the same reaction from my guelding - he gets very cross and grumpy about people entering his space and will put his ears back and swish his tail etc. He can get to lifting a leg if he's been in for a couple of days. The reason I feel that this is a result of his environment and not behavioural per se is that this horse has the lovliest temperment (with me anyway - he doesn't suffer idiots gladly) during the summer months when he's out.
I was relating this to someone the other day and the reaction I got surprised me a bit. It was this persons view that leg lifting and general grumpiness shouldn't be happening whatever the situation and the horse should have more 'respect' for me than that. Whilst I am the first person to admit that my horse definately has aggression as part of his personality (which horse doesn't) I also feel that its not necessariy his fault that this spect of his personality comes to the fore when he's subjected to what he considers intolerable stress. I also feel that that if I tried to instill some 'respect' when he lifts a leg, I'd definately make matters worse. However, the conversation I had made me wonder whether I'm actually right about that so I would value your further views on this matter.
cheers,
Cath
I believe you're absolutely right in thinking that your gelding is justified in displaying some aggressive behaviour when he's under stress! I get very hot under the collar when I hear people talking as though horses should never be allowed to display any behaviour - no matter how justified - that we find upsetting or threatening! I wonder if the same people insist that children should never cry when they are hurt? Unprovoked - or unusual - aggression in horses is usually a sign that all is not well, and if we suppress such behaviour then we are overriding and ignoring the horse's needs. This is where the whole issue of 'respect' becomes such a red-herring,and it seems to me that it's being used as a catch-all to explain any behaviour that some people find unacceptable/threatening.
Sorry about that little rant! I know olur mare's attitude will change as soon as her circumstances do (soon!) and I'm sure that your gelding's temper will improve when his environment changes for the better!
I get very hot under the collar when I hear people talking as though horses should never be allowed to display any behaviour - no matter how justified - that we find upsetting or threatening!
How interesting to hear you say this, Lesley!
One of the things I often muse about is whether people want to listen to their horses? People often say, "I know exactly how my horse is feeling" or "My horse is very happy", but then feel it's fine to go on to comment that they "accept no nonsense", "don't allow the horse to be silly", or "Bad behaviour like that is just the horse taking the p***".
What exactly does the horse have to do to communicate in such a way that owners will listen? If they suffer in silence, they're "prefectly happy", if they object in any way it is something to be dealt with, suppressed, not tolerated. There is no possible way left for a horse to express their discomfort or dislike. I would love to find ways to discuss this with owners, but it's very difficult to get around the automatic thoughts and uncertainties about being manipulated by your horse.
Your comment about whether it would be the same if applied to a child is maybe a way to go about this.
For what it's worth I completely agree with what you've all said.
The other point that struck me about this article and how it applies to horses (maybe dogs etc too) is how when well-intentioned trainers receive one of these abused (and/or "abused") horses to work with, the original abuse becomes the excuse for all future behavioural problems. Depending on the ability and/or chosen method (and here I think "CT people" can be as equally guilty as "NH people") of the trainer, many of the problems will actually be triggered as a result of the training rather than anything to do with the previous experiences. But of course, it takes a trainer with a genuinely high level of humility and awareness to be able to recognise his/her hand in the ongoing problems.
Wow, what a thought provoking article. I like the bit where the man doing the 'abuse test' was taught a lesson. What a numpty! It's the kind of thing which we don't, at first, consider: the possibility that a nervous dog isn't so due to past abuse, but rather because he has never desensitized to loud noises or sudden movements. I think I'll forward this one on. It could teach a few people more than a little!
I think this is one of the most intelligent articles I have ever read form someone who works with animals. I do not put myself anywhere near the league of the author but the misguided belief of a man who read about an ‘abuse test’ (which he read in a book written by an ‘expert’) is why I get so fed up with the justifications based on assumptions. This should be compulsory reading for anyone who works with domesticated animals.
Dear all,
I agree totally that is is one of the best articles I've ever read and speaking as someone whose had several rescue dogs now, I couldn't agree more with the author!!
Whilst reading the article I though back to a converation I once had about why dogs stick with abusive owners and perhaps appear to worship them. It was the other persons belief that basically dogs are pre-programmed not to mind being kicked around and 'dominated' cos 'that's what happens in the wild - it's perfectly natural for them'!!!! The person, of course, was wrong about it being 'natural' for them as recent studies on wild dogs show, much like the better studies on feral horses, that society does not operate on the basis of aggression. However, it got me thinking about exactly what is going on here. I'm out on a limb here but could it be similar to what goes on in the minds of abused adults?? Not that I understand much about that either but I gather its often to do with fear of the unknown and a bit of homeostasis operating???? Does anyone know anything about this?
cheers,
cath