Techniques for Taking a Behavioral History
Section snippets
The Behavioral Interview
There are substantial differences in both the quantity and the type of information that is needed for the behavioral history and the usual medical history. Usually, the time span covered in the medical history will be brief, with the period of health prior to the onset of illness being largely irrelevant to the diagnostic process. For a behavioral problem, however, information about the horse’s behavior and environment from birth to the time the veterinarian is called in may be important in
General History
- A.
Signalment
- 1.
Breed.
- 2.
Sex.
- 3.
Age.
- 4.
Color.
- 5.
Name.
- 1.
- B.
Chief Complaint
- 1.
General description.
- 2.
When did the problem begin? Describe the first incident.
- 3.
When does the horse misbehave? How often and under what circumstances?
- 4.
Has there been a change in the frequency or appearance of the problem?
- 5.
Describe completely the last incident.
- 6.
Describe completely other specific incidents.
- 7.
What has been done so far to attempt treatment?
- 8.
What will be done with the horse if its behavior does not improve?
- 1.
- B.
Other Behavior Problems
- 1.
Shying?
- a.
At what?
- a.
- 1.
History for Foal-Rejecting Mares
- A.
Signalment
- 1.
Mare
- a.
Breed.
- b.
Age.
- c.
Color.
- d.
Name.
- a.
- 2.
Foal
- a.
Breed.
- b.
Age.
- c.
Color.
- d.
Name.
- e.
Sex.
- a.
- 1.
- B.
Rejecting Behavior
- 1.
Has the mare behaved aggressively toward the foal? How old was the foal when aggression began? Describe the aggressive behavior.
- 2.
Does the mare avoid the foal before it ever reaches toward the udder?
- 3.
Does the mare avoid the foal only when it touches the udder? Does she squeal, tremble, or aggress against it when it touches the udder?
- 4.
Describe in detail the mare’s behavior toward the foal, including nurturing (licking,
- 1.
History for Horses with Trailer Problems
- A.
Signalment
- 1.
Breed.
- 2.
Sex.
- 3.
Age.
- 4.
Color.
- 5.
Height.
- 6.
Weight.
- 7.
Name.
- 1.
- B.
Chief Complaint
- 1.
Describe the main problem.
- 2.
When did the problem begin? Did a traumatic event occur?
- 3.
Did the horse previously trailer well?
- 4.
When does the problem occur?
- a.
Loading?
- b.
Traveling (on curves, when braking, as soon as the trailer ________ moves, after traveling minutes or _________ miles)?
- c.
Unloading?
- d.
Standing in stationary trailer?
- e.
Other?
- a.
- 5.
When does the problem occur?
- a.
On way to event?
- b.
On way home?
- c.
Both?
- d.
Other?
- a.
- 6.
Does a change of driver or trailer have any
- 1.
References (2)
Headshaking in horses. Part 2. History and management tests
Equine Pract.
(1979)- et al.
The sexual behavior of stallions
Equine Pract.
(1980)
Cited by (2)
Behavioral problems in Italian saddle horses
2002, Journal of Equine Veterinary ScienceEquine behavioral medicine
2019, Equine Behavioral Medicine