Equine Fear Free - Module 6

Which of the following is not good general training advice to set up owners and their horses for success?

Each training session should show progress of a minimum of 3 steps in the training plan

As these items are inherently aversive, horses cannot learn to voluntarily wear pieces of equipment on their head such as equine inhalers, grazing muzzles, or fly masks

False

Restraint techniques, such as holding a horse's halter during a procedure, are always aversive and horses cannot be taught to cooperate with them

False

True or False: Because the veterinary team usually sees patients infrequently compared to how often horses see their owners, they cannot significantly contribute to a horse's ongoing training

False: Horses are always learning, and the veterinary appointment is no exception

Which of the following is NOT a component of a Considerate Approach to trimming or shoeing?

Ignoring a horse's FAS to complete the task

"Lumping" is a common challenge experienced by owners when following shaping plans for veterinary behaviors. Which of the following best describes "lumping"?

Large jumps in criteria rather than having steps broken into small approximations

Which of the following is a simple, positive recommendation to encourage lowered head position for removing a halter?

Lure the horse's head down with a handful of treats and smoothly remove the halter at the same time, then fade the lure, and reward after halter removal

A horse breeder would like to gradually halter train his foals using positive reinforcement techniques. Which training advice would NOT be appropriate?

Put the halter on their faces on the first try and buckle it immediately

Which of these statements about stationing is NOT true?

Stationing cannot be taught to horses reliably because they are too flighty as a prey species

An owner's gelding has experienced multiple hoof abscesses in the past and will not stand for hoof soaking. The owner now wants him to learn this behavior in case he requires future treatments. She has tried distracting him with treats but he always steps out of the water bucket after a few seconds. Which of the following plans shows the most gradual approach that will most likely set this gelding up to succeed in learning this behavior?

Teach to place foot on a mat -> teach duration -> transfer behavior to large flat empty bucket -> gradually introduce water into bucket -> reward for duration

True or False: In voluntary veterinary care procedures, a patient stepping onto their station can indicate to the handler that the animal is ready to participate in training

True

True or False: It is important for owners to help their horses generalize husbandry and veterinary care procedures to other handlers to minimize FAS at appointments, where horses may be exposed to unfamiliar handlers with different handling styles

True

True or False: When training horses for veterinary care, we generally want to stay under each horse's "threshold" so that they are desensitized to stimuli rather than becoming more fearful

True

A young mare is fearful and avoidant of fly sprays. Over several weeks, your client has been teaching her to target spray bottles with her nose, and she will stand still and calmly while a bottle is sprayed away from her. When the spray is applied to her skin, however, she exhibits moderate FAS. What are additional steps you could recommend to this client in a gradual desensitizing and conditioning plan?

A. Apply a damp warm cloth, paired with treats, to desensitize to wet skin before introducing the spray sensation B. Ensure the spray nozzle is on a mist setting to start, rather than a strong stream C. Use a "touch gradient" while introducing the fly spray, starting with the least sensitive areas D. Consult with a veterinary behaviorist or qualified equine behavior consultant if there is concern for the level of FAS exhibited and client requires further support All of the above

The training plans provided in this module are...

A. Examples of how to train particular behaviors, but do not represent all training approaches that can be used B. Basic guidelines to exemplify common training processes, but need to be adjusted and adapted based on the learner's response C. Applicable to every horse no matter their level of FAS - The first and second answers are correct

What are different ways for an owner to help her colt have positive associations with syringes to prepare him for future routine oral medications?

A. Feed the colt unsweetened applesauce out of a syringe B. Reward the colt with treats for targeting a syringe C. Reward the colt with treats for having a small amount of water administered into the corner of his mouth All of the above

A mature gelding has displayed moderate FAS for intramuscular vaccines for several years. At the last appointment, the veterinarian recommended systematic desensitization and counterconditioning to injections. The gelding is now due for vaccines again, and the owner has diligently worked to prepare him for this appointment. As the veterinarian, what can you do to ensure this gelding's appointment is as Fear Free as possible?

A. Spend some time introducing yourself to the gelding and giving him treats and scratches prior to proceeding with the exam and vaccinations B. Ask the owner how far the training has progressed, and request that she demonstrate it C. Replicate the owner's training steps using the horse's favorite treat so that the appointment is as much like a regular training session as possible D. At the end of the appointment, discuss what went well with the owner and what training recommendations you may have for follow-up appointments - All of the above

An owner has a draft horse who stretches out his neck and wiggles his lips in response to neck scratches. This gelding tenses his body and raises a hind hoof in response to grooming in the inguinal area. The owner does not want this to escalate to kicking. Underlying medical causes were screened and none found. What advice can you give to this owner who is training on her own?

A. To ensure the owner's safety, recommend protected contact an B. Scratch the patient's neck, then gradually move toward sensitive areas, and return to the neck for a scratch before the patient tenses. Repeat and gradually progress further, staying under the gelding's threshold C. Refer to a veterinary behaviorist or qualified behavior consultant to provide additional support - All of the above

How can owners be encouraged to keep training sessions short and positive?

A. remeasure food rewards (for example, 1 cup of pellets) and stop the session when they run out B. Set a timer for the session C. Learn the signs that their horse is becoming satiated or fatigued and end subsequent sessions before this occurs - All of the above

A 24-year-old gelding has had increasing FAS for hoof handling. He used to lift his hooves easily during farrier appointments, but as of 1 year ago, he tenses, pins his ears, and immediately withdraws his limbs during trimming. Before discussing a training plan with an owner, the veterinarian should:

Assess the horse for underlying medical concerns such as pain