b'Last Months BEHAVIOR gelding a stallion will not necessarily re-duce the likelihood of further attacks. In Most-ReadSo first, I would recommend a detailedfact, if this is socially provoked displaced aggression, triggered when the male is veterinary workup including a neurologicthreatened by other males, gelding can Articles exam. Some medical conditions canresult in an even greater insecurity and, affect the brain and should be consid- so, a lower threshold for intimidation by onered when uncharacteristic and severeother horses and for lashing out. aggression occurs. For example, liverOne of the most serious attacks of what disease can affect the brain enough toclearly looked like displaced aggression cause aggressive outbursts. Also, a sud- that I have personally witnessed involved den sharp pain or startling stimulus (e.g.,a pony gelding being led near the pasture static electricity spark) can elicit such aof a threatening stallion. It all happened response.so quickly, but a second before grasping Another common cause in stallions andthe handlers arm, the gelding clearly geldings is what we call displaced socialshowed signs of trying to submit to the aggression. When a horse is threatenedthreatening stallion. I have seen many by another horse, but not at liberty tocases of a quick nip or grab at clothing, Horses Eye Blinkattack that animal, he might lash out atbut in this case the ponys open-mouth Rate Could Reveala person or another animal that is easilylunge and hold onto the handlers bare within reach, especially if positionedwrist resulted in considerable soft tissue Stress Levels between him and the other horse. Thisdamage. As is so often described, the little TheHorse.com/40152 reaction is not widely understood, but itsfellow was immediately docile, as if he important in such cases to appreciate thatdidnt know what had happened. hActing Up On the RoadHow do you deal with negative trailer behaviors such as kicking and paw-Q ing while on the road? Loading is not a problem.Is Sugar Beet PulpHilaryToo High in SugarFloridafor Horses?When loading is not a problem, and the kicking and pawing occur only TheHorse.com/40143 A when on the road, the first thing I think about is something about the vehicles movement that is uncomfortable for the horse. Examples we have found over the years include balance problems and painful musculoskeletal condi-tions, particularly neck and back discomfort, that understandably Body Language inget aggravated by the horses nearly KEVIN THOMPSON/THE HORSEHorse and Humanconstant effort to adjust head Interactions height to maintain balance on the trailer. TheHorse.com/40068In this scenario it can be quite informative to use a trailer video camera or recorder. Try to posi-Get the most-viewed content Discomfort can cause some horses to kick and from TheHorse.com tion the camera so you can see thepaw while on the trailer.delivered in a convenient entire horseparticularly its facial weekly digest with the expressions. You can have your veterinarian and/or a behavior specialist take FREE Reader Favorites a look to see if any causes are obvious. Observers can commonly associate the pawing and kicking with turns or starts and stops. In extreme cases, weve seen Newsletter!some horses lose their balance and scramble, sometimes falling whenever turn-ing, usually to one direction more than the other. We could see their worried expression and attempt to brace when experiencing even a slight turn. Some of Sign up now at TheHorse.com/these horses do better with an alternate arrangement say, slant load or open box ReaderFavorites stall. Or in some cases the horse appears more comfortable when not tied. Even diagnostically, different arrangements would be something to try. 60TheHorse.comTHE HORSE March 2018'