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 Recent research has confirmed that mirrors
can help reduce the stress suffered by some horses while being stabled.
Although often unavoidable, it is not natural for horses to be kept in an
enclosed space away from their companions. Some horses are more anxious in
the stable than others and it is recognised that most stable vices are a
response to management problems.
Cribbing and windsucking seem to relate, at least in part, to a diet of
concentrates, while weaving, box-walking and head-nodding occur when the
horse is frustrated. It is estimated that around 20,000 horses in the UK
weave and 10,000 box-walk. It is still not known how many suffer from
other forms of separation distress.
Researchers at the University of Lincoln have been investigating ways of
improving the housing of horses for several years. Most recently the
university undertook a year-long research project into whether mirrors can
help reduce separation anxiety. The research has proven that, when used
appropriately, many horses can benefit enormously from this simple
intervention.
Initial responses to the mirror:
Obviously, if the mirror is to work, the horse must show some interest in
the reflection and although some may ignore it, most do not.
In trials, the initial response of horses faced with the mirror varied
enormously – some approached it and immediately nose-greeted their
reflection, while others made a threat towards it at first. The trials
found:
- Many horses are cautious when they first see the reflection and may
nicker, and for some it can take a couple of weeks to completely accept
and benefit from the reflection
- A small minority of horses respond more aggressively to the image and it
is not recommended that the mirror be used these cases. The history of
these animals usually shows that the horses are naturally unsociable or
domineering
- While many owners report an immediate calming influence on their horse,
others say the effect is more gradual, taking a month or more to work
In a small number of cases, the initial comfort provided appears to wear
off after a few months
- It is important the mirror is positioned in the correct place, so the
horse can choose whether to look at its reflection or not. Installing a
reflective surface along the whole length of the stable wall is not
recommended, as the horse cannot avoid its reflection and may be more
stressed as a result.
- Similarly, the mirror should not be placed so that the horse sees its
reflection close up when feeding – especially on hard feed – as this could
encourage aggression and protectiveness around the feed bowl.
- The best location for the mirror is just inside the stable door, away from
any feeding stations.
- Many owners have used the mirror to help reduce stable anxiety, and
success has also been reported with horses that suffer from separation
anxiety. A typical candidate might be a horse that spends a lot of time in
the field, but which becomes agitated when stabled or those which react
badly when a close companion is taken away.
- A number of owners have also found unexpected secondary effects; for
example, one mare that is normally quite noisy when in season was
reportedly much calmer once the mirror was installed.
- Other owners have observed that their horse's temperament improved and
several owners have said that with the mirror in the stable, their horse
is also much easier to tack or rug up. All these reports deserve further
investigation.
- Several people have used a mirror to help manage a horse on long-term box
rest and believe that it helped the horse cope with the confinement. It is
also possible that the mirror might reduce the stress of individual box
weaning.
The research has found that a mirror is a genuine aid to the management of
the stress that can arise when a social animal is restricted from close
interaction with others of its kind.
Vet Dr Daniel Mills BVSc PhD ILTM MRCVS has a PhD in the development of
welfare-orientated treatment strategies for equine behavioural problems.
He is principal lecturer in behavioural studies and animal welfare at the
University of Lincoln and also lectures internationally on equine
behaviour and its management. |
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