Horse Behavior

Enhancing the relationship between horses & humans. Human Horse Bond @SidGustafson ~ Equine Welfare ~ Equine Behavior

[Horse Behavior @EquineBehavior]

The horse never knows I'm there until he needs me.

Bill Shoemaker

[C2 Racing Stable @C2RacingStable]

Racing fans, he's not going to @Gainesway alone.

Where WHITE ABARRIO goes, Brownie goes.

WHITE ABARRIO's sidekick and travel partner, Brownie, is making the move to @Gainesway with The Champ!

Some things you just don't split up!

[Sid Gustafson DVM @sidgustafson]

Lost Parents: stories https://t.co/ySZYfB0FIG #Amazon via @Amazon

[Sid Gustafson DVM @sidgustafson]

https://t.co/w3rx4G4Q7P

[Barry SNIPER Spears @UrbnHandicapper]

Learn something today

[Horse Behavior @EquineBehavior]

https://t.co/7YeGBMTzOj

[The Associated Press @AP]

Horses whinny to find new friends, greet old ones and celebrate happy moments, like feeding time. But how exactly they produce the distinctive sound - also called a neigh - has long eluded scientists.

[yolanda schultes @yolandaschultes]

Italy is considering a major shift in how it treats horses.

A new bill in the Italian Parliament would recognize horses, donkeys, and mules as companion animals instead of livestock. If it passes, it could permanently end the slaughter and sale of horse meat in the country.

Horse meat has been part of some regional traditions in Italy. But times are changing. Consumption has dropped over the years. Many people now see horses as companions, not food.

Supporters say this bill reflects modern values and stronger animal protection. It would also require stricter tracking, microchipping, and serious penalties for illegal slaughter. Critics argue it could hurt certain industries and erase cultural traditions.

The law has not passed yet. It is still under debate. But if approved, Italy could take a historic step toward protecting equines nationwide.

For many Americans who see horses as partners, athletes, and family companions, this story hits close to home. The world is watching to see what Italy decides next.

References:

- The Guardian... Horse meat set to be banned in Italy amid draft equine bill
- Indeks Online... Italy to ban horse meat consumption

#italy #horses #Slaughter #horsemeat #slaughterhouse #animalwelfare

[horse @horseimage]

The rare, truly wild Przewalski’s horses still frolic and thrive in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

[J Scott Weese @weese_scott]

Some things are worth taking more time to assess

Banning the practice of inflicting pain to make horses walk a certain (abnormal) way is not one of them.

If you can't train them without pain, just stop. Delaying a rule that prevents abuse is more abuse

https://t.co/SYE5EFJStZ

[Native Red Cloud🪶Maȟpíya Lúta~Hińhan Wakangli⚡️🦉 @Native3rd]

“All things share the same breath, the beast, the tree, the man—the air shares its spirit with all the life it supports.”

~ Chief Seattle (1786-1866)

[Horse Behavior @EquineBehavior]

@Axaxia88 They’re impressed with his ear tags.

[Horse Behavior @EquineBehavior]

@LMPD The Derby is a ways out, boys.

[NYRA Bets @NYRABets]

🎠 Your 2026 G1 #PegasusWorldCup winner SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING!!

He certainly looks like he knows it 🤩

[Horse Behavior @EquineBehavior]

The influence of equine personality on police horse selection - https://t.co/QxSqDXhxxd #ScholarAlerts

[Matt @NA20071975]

Tom

Respectfully,

The training methods of some trainers to get 2 yr olds ready for the Kent Derby and the overall American methods of training are hurting the breed and the sport. When you mentioned earlier in the week that the train has left the station regarding breeding to race, do you realize that the over commercialization of the breed is making it more fragile?

Since the price of some horses have become ridiculously high (I won’t get into the tax implications n laundering), owners n trainers try to protect their investment by keeping the horse in the stall.

Horses with more turnout have:
•Stronger bones
•Better ligaments
•Fewer soft-tissue injuries

Training methods:

American racing is built around:
•Fast works
•High-speed breezes
•Explosive early speed

Sound familiar? When horses are in the field , they expend energy and burn calories. They won’t be fully rested to go 47/59 but they’ll be building slow muscle needed for longevity. Again, anti most American trainers.

Our breed to sell model produces fragile horses.

American bloodlines are selected for:
•Early speed
•2-year-old precocity
•Short-distance power

That produces:
•Thinner bones
•Weaker tendons
•More nervous horses

Trainers don’t trust these horses in open pasture because:

They actually ARE more injury-prone.

European and Japanese horses — breed for stamina and durability — tolerate turnout much better.

Economics:

A groom can:
•Muck 8 stalls
•Walk horses
•Feed on a schedule

But turnout requires:
•Paddock maintenance
•Fence repair
•Monitoring groups
•Bringing horses in and out

It’s cheaper and more controllable to stall them.

Stalling causes:
•Ulcers
•Weaving, cribbing, stall walking
•Mental burnout
•Weak supporting tissues

Then trainers compensate with:
•Lasix
•Ulcer meds
•Joint injections
•More vet work

Instead of… grass, movement, and sunlight.

Many see SF as the face of all of the above.

@sidgustafson @A_S_Al_Mughairi

[Matthew DeSantis @failedtomenace]

I don’t have a 3,000 word treatise on WHITE ABARRIO’s huge second place finish in the @PegasusWorldCup but I’ll just say those two horses, White Abarrio and Skippylongstocking who cost a combined $77K and earned over $11M. #HorseRacingTips #HorseRacing

[C2 Racing Stable @C2RacingStable]

The champ WHITE ABARRIO doing great this morning, came out of the race in good order. Can’t say enough about this special horse, his heart, competitive spirit, and the connection he has with his racing fan base.

Yesterday was a great day for horse racing, three 7-year olds finishing 1-2-3 in a Grade 1 race showing the world these amazing athletes do not need to be retired and go to the breeding shed at 3-4 years olds. Something needs to change for the longevity of the sport, lets get back to racing and not so focused on 3-4 year olds with 6-7 starts hitting the breeding shed. Lets race!

Congratulations to one of our favorites Skippylongstocking, now a Grade 1 winner and to @SaffieJosephJr and his entire team for winning back to back @PegasusWorldCup. Congrats @Tyler_Gaff great ride!

[Amanda @mandalay117]

Skippylongstocking and White Abarrio

[Horse Behavior @EquineBehavior]

@GerdasEquineRes @TheTriactor In Germany, it is a crime to keep a horse alone. You need to find the right companion horse, or maybe donkey.

[Sid Gustafson DVM @sidgustafson]

Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines: Review of Scientific Research on Priorities
- https://t.co/mRYZcqF2yc #ScholarAlerts