What Causes Horse Vices – Bad Character, Boredom or Stress?
Vices used to be considered a sign of bad character. More recently popular opinion was that boredom was the cause. Although this is closer to the truth, it is still incorrect. document.getElementById(‘adsense_placeholder_2’).innerHTML = document.getElementById(‘adsense_ad_2_hidden’).innerHTML; In natural conditions horses are almost constantly on the move, covering miles every day. As they move they graze almost continually, for up to 18 hours a day. They live as part of a social group. Domestic horses are often deprived of some, or all, of the above factors. Horses instinctively want to perform natural behaviors, such as grazing, walking and grooming, which trigger the brain to produce endorphins. If these activities are restricted, the horse will experience varying levels of stress. The stereotypies trigger the brain to release the endorphins which the horse needs to deal with the stress (endorphins are natural painkillers, and also elevate mood). They are also the result of a surviv
