Scentwork for Horses is the first practical guide on how to implement scentwork into the lives of domesticated horses, enhancing behaviour, welfare, and the human-animal bond. Scentwork is a new discipline in the field for horse and handler, and expert author Rachaël Draaisma arms the reader with a palette of information to enable them to put this technique into action. As well as theoretical background information on the nose of the horse and biomechanics, Draaisma discusses how scentwork improves horses’ learning abilities, development, socialisation, and their bond with the handler. Readers will learn how to have their horses explore their environment, participate in scentwork games and follow a footstep track to find a missing person or food bag. Easily accessible for anybody working with horses at any level, scentwork can be done in small areas as well as in larger spaces on various surfaces. Whether veterinarian, behaviourist, trainer, animal-assisted therapist, equine physiotherapist, osteopath, or interested horse owner, this book promises to bring both you and the horse enormous benefits, strengthening the human-animal bond. Rachaël Draaisma has always lived with and had a passion for dogs and horses. In 2002, she decided to make it her profession. Achieving several diplomas, she started to work full time as a trainer and behavioural consultant, first with dogs, later with horses. Her best-selling book Language Signs and Calming Signals of Horses, published by CRC Press in 2017, has been translated into several languages. Another pillar of Draaisma’s working life with horses revolves around equine mental stimulation and scentwork, and she has developed an extensive method to undertake scent tracking with horses, a new tool in enriching the human-equine relationship. Draaisma travels throughout Europe and the globe to provide workshops and lectures on calming signals of horses, equine mental stimulation, and scentwork. You can purchase scent bags to aid your scentwork practice at the author's personal website: www.scentworkforhorses.com or www.calmingsignalsofhorses.com

This practical book helps you interpret and connect the physical signals that horses display in response to their environment. These signals are evident in the everyday actions, gestures and attitudes that horses communicate to each other, but are often so subtle that they can go unnoticed by humans. This book aims to rectify that, offering horse lovers and equine professionals an opportunity to gain a unique insight into their 'horse's world'. Key features: includes detailed description of language signs of domestic horses, with a special emphasis on calming signals includes 275 pictures to visualize various language signs, calming signals, behaviour sequences and facial features presents communication ladders to show how a horse responds to incentives in his environment, and what signals he uses at certain moments contains tips on the use of the communication ladders and calming signals to improve the socialisation, training and wellbeing of your horse considers equine psychological stress from an environmental perspective, providing a valuable alternative to the current common clinical perspective. After reading this book you will be more astute in spotting calming signals, displacement activities, stress signals and distance-increasing signals, and better able to see which stimuli your horse can handle and which he cannot. This means you will know what to do to calm your horse before his stress rises to an unmanageable level. Language Signs and Calming Signals of Horses is both fascinating and important reading for any equine veterinary practitioner, student or nurse, as well as horse owners and trainers.

A practical guide to using reward-based training techniques to create a true partnership with your horse. This leads to lifelong connection, effective problem-solving and joyful performance.

Equine Welfare in Clinical Practice: How and Why Behavior and Welfare Assessments Belong in Your Practice reviews the current psychological, behavioral, and welfare knowledge equine veterinarians should have and discusses how such knowledge may be incorporated into clinical practices. It covers such topics as practical welfare assessment, fear-free practices, and how horses learn (both good and bad habits). Each topic is intended to provide both practical and pertinent science-based information for equine practitioners and their clients. Written by international experts, this book explores the physical, psychological, and behavioral factors contributing to equine welfare. It discusses current knowledge about topics such as equine senses, cognition, and stereotypies, as well as appropriate and inappropriate training methods, for both adult horses and foals. It also addresses differentiating medical from behavioral problems and discusses the new field of how the gut microbiome affects behavior. Equine Welfare in Clinical Practice: How and Why Behavior and Welfare Assessments Belong in Your Practice is an important resource for clinical veterinarians who want to incorporate knowledge of equine behavior and welfare into their practices. Veterinarians who understand and can educate their clients in equine welfare and safe and appropriate care and handling techniques will increase their business success, improve the lives of their clients and patients, and strengthen the human-animal bond. In addition, the book will also provide updated information and useful practical tips for those who are already familiar with equine psychology, behavior, and welfare. Emphasizes clinical applications of equine behavior and welfare science Covers topics such as equine welfare, learning, stereotypies, and medical versus behavioral problems Provides expert recommendations and studies to improve the lives of horses, their owners, and the veterinarians who care for them

Based on John Rice's extensive experiences with his all Golden Retriever Police K-9 unit. Not a how-to recipe book, Following Ghosts offers a revolutionary & challenging look at tracking & canine abilities. For the novice or experienced tracker, this booklet will change your thinking. Find out why VST is not the ultimate goal but the very best starting point! Learn why food on the track confuses dogs. Discover how to track anytime,almost anywhere. Find out why tracking judges like Ted Hoesel (the first VST judge), Search & Rescue Units, police departments & others recommend & buy it for students as "required reading!"

Showing how to maximize performance in horses, The Athletic Horse: Principles and Practice of Equine Sports Medicine, 2nd Edition describes sports training regimens and how to reduce musculoskeletal injuries. Practical coverage addresses the anatomical and physiological basis of equine exercise and performance, centering on evaluation, imaging, pharmacology, and training recommendations for sports such as racing and show jumping. Now in full color, this edition includes new rehabilitation techniques, the latest imaging techniques, and the best methods for equine transportation. Written by expert educators Dr. David Hodgson, Dr. Catherine McGowan, and Dr. Kenneth McKeever, with a panel of highly qualified contributing authors. Expert international contributors provide cutting-edge equine information from the top countries in performance-horse research: the U.S., Australia, U.K., South Africa, and Canada. The latest nutritional guidelines maximize the performance of the equine athlete. Extensive reference lists at the end of each chapter provide up-to-date resources for further research and study. NEW full-color photographs depict external clinical signs, allowing more accurate clinical recognition. NEW and improved imaging techniques maximize your ability to assess equine performance. UPDATED drug information is presented as it applies to treatment and to new regulations for drug use in the equine athlete. NEW advances in methods of transporting equine athletes ensure that the amount of stress on the athlete is kept to a minimum. NEW rehabilitation techniques help to prepare the equine athlete for a return to the job. Two NEW authors, Dr. Catherine McGowan and Dr. Kenneth McKeever, are highly recognized experts in the field.

J. Frank Dobie?s history of the ?mustang??from the Spanish meste_a, an animal belonging to (but strayed from) the Mesta, a medieval association of Spanish farmers?tells of its impact on the Spanish, English, and Native cultures of the West.