Sue McDonnell, PhD, Certified AAB, Author at The Horse

Sue McDonnell, PhD, Certified AAB

Sue M. McDonnell, PhD, is a certified applied animal behaviorist and the founding head of the equine behavior program at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine. She is also the author of numerous books and articles about horse behavior and management.

Minimizing Foal Stress Levels in the Breeding Shed

Posted by Sue McDonnell, PhD, Certified AAB | Jul 16, 2020 | Article, Behavior, Behavior & Handling, Breeding and Reproduction, Breeding Planning, Breeding Shed, Foal Care, Horse Care, Transport Stress, Welfare and Industry

What would be the best plan for handling a foal whose dam is being covered by a stallion?

Stressed in the Stall

Posted by Sue McDonnell, PhD, Certified AAB | Jul 7, 2020 | Article, Behavior, Behavior & Handling, Buildings & Structures, Farm and Barn, Horse Care, Stable and Other Vices, Stalls

My horse recently started pacing and digging holes in his stall. What could be causing this behavior?

Water Temperature and Horse Drinking Behavior

Posted by Sue McDonnell, PhD, Certified AAB | Nov 18, 2019 | Article, Behavior, Behavior & Handling, Horse Care, Water & Electrolytes, Winter Care

Why might our horses drink from an ice cold creek or tank rather than from the heated water buckets? Equine behaviorist Dr. Sue McDonnell explains.

Does a Racehorse Know if He Wins or Loses?

Posted by Sue McDonnell, PhD, Certified AAB | Nov 1, 2019 | Behavior, Commentary, Equine Behavior Commentary Series, Equine Welfare Legislation, Thoroughbred Racing, Thoroughbreds

And what difference would it make to the horse if he wins or loses? An equine behaviorist weighs in.

Donkey Dynamics

Posted by Sue McDonnell, PhD, Certified AAB | Oct 24, 2019 | Article, Behavior, Behavior & Handling, Donkeys, Donkeys and Burros, Mules, Donkeys, & Other Equids

What might cause a young male donkey to suddenly split from the herd? An equine behaviorist offers insight.

Why Does My Horse Play With His Tongue?

Posted by Sue McDonnell, PhD, Certified AAB | Aug 5, 2019 | Article, Behavior, Behavior & Handling, Digestive Tract Problems, Diseases and Conditions, Horse Care, Nutrition, Ulcers, Welfare and Industry

What could be the cause behind this young horse’s strange tongue lollying at feeding time? Dr. Sue McDonnell answers.

An Old Horse Starts Cribbing

Posted by Sue McDonnell, PhD, Certified AAB | Jul 11, 2019 | Behavior, Behavior & Handling, Commentary, Horse Care, Older Horse Care Concerns, Stable and Other Vices

A reader’s 17-year-old horse started trying to crib recently, which she’s never seen him do before. Why would he start now? An equine behaviorist offers insight.

Older Creature Comforts: Keeping Senior Horses Happy

Posted by Sue McDonnell, PhD, Certified AAB | Jun 27, 2019 | Behavior, Feeding Old Horses, Older Horse Care Concerns, Welfare and Industry

I’m concerned about my senior horse’s happiness. How can I keep him comfortable and content?

Watching the Herd

Posted by Sue McDonnell, PhD, Certified AAB | Jun 13, 2019 | Article, Behavior, Communication With Your Horse

How can watching horses interact in a herd help improve my relationship with my horse?

Happy and Unhappy Horses at Home

Posted by Sue McDonnell, PhD, Certified AAB | Jun 6, 2019 | Article, Behavior, Equine Welfare Legislation, Farm and Barn

Has any research been done regarding what horses might like and dislike about their homes?

Frustrated by Fecal Egg Counts?

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Sue McDonnell, PhD, Certified AAB

Articles by Sue McDonnell, PhD, Certified AAB