Horse Behavior Specialist
Licensed 2 Star Parelli Professional
www.nancyslater.com
48 / Sport and Trail Magazine
Behavior Specialists
Pat and Linda Parelli answer some questions about displacement behavior for this article. Their answers parallel my own personal experiences.
*What is your definition of displacement behavior?
This is an undesirable, emotionally generated behavior that occurs without being asked for, and is generally caused by fear, confusion, anxiety, confinement, suppression, force. We tend to talk about displaced behaviors mostly when horses are handled and ridden, but they can also be seen when horses are stabled, tied or confined in some way.
*Name some behavior you have seen, from mild to extreme.
“Tongue lolling out the side of the mouth or hanging listlessly; lower lip hanging; grinding teeth; open mouth; tongue over or behind the bit; swishing tail; head tossing; head shaking; pawing; etc. Each of these behaviors can vary from mild to extreme depending on just how upset the horse is.”
*Is it more common in RB (Right Brained, unconfident) or LB (Left Brained, confident) horses?
“You see it in both RB and LB horses, but for different reasons. In RB horses it's more fear and panic. In LB horses, it's more frustration and fight.”
*What does Pat say about causes and cures for DB?
“Be more savvy, use better feel, timing and balance! Horses tend to show displaced behaviors because they are being forced in some way. When you use the Parelli approach the goal is to cause the response to be the horse’s idea, by using psychology. This means you get to the horse’s mind - you teach him how to understand what you are asking rather than just make him do it.”
*What would you say to someone who is wondering if their horse showing displaced behavior is normal?
“So many horses have displaced behaviors it has become normal! For example, horses needing nosebands to stop their tongue coming out or mouth opening… frothing and foaming at the bit… swishing tails with the use of spurs… tie downs and martingales to stop the horse throwing and tossing its head. Many people see these as quite normal and expected behavior because it is so common. These are not the signs of a happy, relaxed horse in harmony with its rider or environment. We have to look at things from the horse’s point of view and know that we can TEACH them to do things rather than FORCE them.”
How horses live and cope with natural stressors in the wild is interesting to me. They graze most of the day, sleep a little, procreate- and feed predators! They are designed by nature to live in the moment, because any moment might be their last. They are meat on feet. Yet, living wild doesn't cause displaced behavior. A domestic life does!
As caring horse owners, we give our domestic horse everything we THINK he needs: A clean stall, a new slant load trailer, and 2 square meals a day... We train our horse ourselves, as best we can, or send him to a local trainer for 30 days, as finances allow. Since everything in our life is hurried, we hurry the horse. We put him in cross ties because he won't stand still for fly spray, saddling and baths. We micromanage the reins because he's not listening to us. He's arguing about leaving the barn and the other horses, so we get after him. We don't have time for nonsense, so he is forced. He gets angry, frightened, stressed. When a horse becomes stressed for long periods of time, displacement behavior is born.
Living in our fast paced world is stressful for both horses and humans. Day after day, we feel pressured by time, restricted by movement, and frustrated with our situation at work. Horses are stress relievers for us. We think we owe it to them to return the favor!
When we see a horse acting strangely, ask yourself what is bothering your horse. To extinguish the behavior, (or prevent it in the first place), we can work to make our horse feel successful, reward all good behavior, give him something fun and interesting to do. We can provide a more natural living environment, room for playful movement, free choice hay or grass, and social interaction. Horses need to live like horses as naturally as possible. Spending undemanding time with your horse will help sooth his nerves. Hand grazing, belly scratches, and hanging out quietly together under a big shade tree works wonders for calming nerves in both the horse and you!
Your awareness always comes first before your application. Listen to your horse when he is not lowering his head, licking and chewing, blowing out, or yawning in your presence. You will know when he is happy because he will be reaching out to you, looking you in the eye, and showing you his playful personality; interacting with you in a friendly way. Train your eye to recognize the difference between happy and stressed. Think how you might help your horse live a more happy, stress free life by educating yourself about their true needs. Your horse will be grateful!
oss between two individuals, and get a job done, whether you are a horse or a person! Horses and people who get confused can walk off thinking, “Don't know what the heck that fella was talking about, but I'm outta here!”
*What would you say to someone who is wondering if their horse showing displaced behavior is normal?
“So many horses have displaced behaviors it has become normal! For example, horses needing nosebands to stop their tongue coming out or mouth opening… frothing and foaming at the bit… swishing tails with the use of spurs… tie downs and martingales to stop the horse throwing and tossing its head. Many people see these as quite normal and expected behavior because it is so common. These are not the signs of a happy, relaxed horse in harmony with its rider or environment. We have to look at things from the horse’s point of view and know that we can TEACH them to do things rather than FORCE them.”
How horses live and cope with natural stressors in the wild is interesting to me. They graze most of the day, sleep a little, procreate- and feed predators! They are designed by nature to live in the moment, because any moment might be their last. They are meat on feet. Yet, living wild doesn't cause displaced behavior. A domestic life does!
As caring horse owners, we give our domestic horse everything we THINK he needs: A clean stall, a new slant load trailer, and 2 square meals a day... We train our horse ourselves, as best we can, or send him to a local trainer for 30 days, as finances allow. Since everything in our life is hurried, we hurry the horse. We put him in cross ties because he won't stand still for fly spray, saddling and baths. We micromanage the reins because he's not listening to us. He's arguing about leaving the barn and the other horses, so we get after him. We don't have time for nonsense, so he is forced. He gets angry, frightened, stressed. When a horse becomes stressed for long periods of time, displacement behavior is born.
Living in our fast paced world is stressful for both horses and humans. Day after day, we feel pressured by time, restricted by movement, and frustrated with our situation at work. Horses are stress relievers for us. We think we owe it to them to return the favor!
When we see a horse acting strangely, ask yourself what is bothering your horse. To extinguish the behavior, (or prevent it in the first place), we can work to make our horse feel successful, reward all good behavior, give him something fun and interesting to do. We can provide a more natural living environment, room for playful movement, free choice hay or grass, and social interaction. Horses need to live like horses as naturally as possible. Spending undemanding time with your horse will help sooth his nerves. Hand grazing, belly scratches, and hanging out quietly together under a big shade tree works wonders for calming nerves in both the horse and you!
Your awareness always comes first before your application. Listen to your horse when he is not lowering his head, licking and chewing, blowing out, or yawning in your presence. You will know when he is happy because he will be reaching out to you, looking you in the eye, and showing you his playful personality; interacting with you in a friendly way. Train your eye to recognize the difference between happy and stressed. Think how you might help your horse live a more happy, stress free life by educating yourself about their true needs. Your horse will be grateful!
oss between two individuals, and get a job done, whether you are a horse or a person! Horses and people who get confused can walk off thinking, “Don't know what the heck that fella was talking about, but I'm outta here!”
*What is your definition of displacement behavior?
This is an undesirable,
emotionally generated
behavior that occurs without
being asked for, and is
generally caused by fear,
confusion, anxiety,
confinement, suppression,
force. We tend to talk about
displaced behaviors mostly
when horses are handled and
ridden, but they can also be
seen when horses are stabled,
tied or confined in some way.
*Name some behavior you
have seen, from mild to
extreme.
“Tongue lolling out the side of
the mouth or hanging listlessly;
lower lip hanging; grinding
teeth; open mouth; tongue over
or behind the bit; swishing tail;
head tossing; head shaking;
pawing; etc. Each of these
behaviors can vary from mild to
extreme depending on just
how upset the horse is.”
*Is it more common in RB (Right Brained, unconfident) or LB (Left Brained, confident) horses?
“You see it in both RB and LB horses, but for different reasons. In RB horses it's more fear and panic. In LB horses, it's more frustration and fight.”
*What does Pat say about causes and cures for DB?
“Be more savvy, use better feel, timing and balance! Horses tend to show displaced behaviors because they are being forced in some way. When you use the Parelli approach the goal is to cause the response to be the horse’s idea, by using psychology. This means you get to the horse’s mind - you teach him how to understand what you are asking rather than just make him do it.”