Pawing: Lifting one front leg, reaching it forward, touching the ground, and dragging back to neutral, sometimes repeatedly, like digging (1, 2).
Weaving: Moving the head and upper body side to side, where all 4 legs remain on the ground (1, 2, 7)
Locomotory: Regarding movement with legs
Stereotypy: a repetitive behavior with seemingly no cause (1)
Pawing is seen in many different contexts and is normal, but repeated pawing with seemingly no purpose, as seen in the video above, is considered a stereotypy and might be a sign that something is wrong (1, 2, 3, 4). On the natural side of pawing, it is commonly observed in stallions both before and after defecating (1). Horses might also paw while sniffing with their noses towards the ground, while eating, before rolling, or during play (1, 2, 5)! Pawing can also serve as a threatening sign towards a threat, often seen with an arched neck, snorting, and ear pinning (1). It is important to remember that pawing can be a sign of frustration of discomfort as well (2, 3, 4, 6).
Unlike Pawing, Weaving is only known as an abnormal behavior born from stress, discomfort, or pain (1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10). It is not observed among feral or wild horses, but it is largely seen in Thoroughbred geldings (1, 7). Many accounts of weaving occur while the horse is stabled or isolated from other horses, so weaving may also be observed in pasture as well (1, 6, 7, 9, 10). Because there is no known purpose for weaving, and it has only been observed in domestic, and mostly stabled, horses, we can assume that this is an abnormal behavior that signifies when something is wrong.
Stall Housing/Restraint
As a sign of frustration or boredom, stalled or restrained horses often paw (2, 3, 4, 6).
Pain/Discomfort
Pawing has been noted as a possible sign of orthopedic pain (4).
It has also been noted as a sign of various conditions causing discomfort (2, 3).
Self-Defense
As discussed above, horses might paw in the process of threatening another animal (1).
Training
Horses naturally paw while looking for food, so they might also paw when waiting for their food in a stall, which then gets reinforced with the human giving the meal (14).
Stall Housing
Horses in stalls show increased rates of weaving, especially when no other horse is in sight (1, 7, 9, 10).
Pain/Discomfort
Weaving is linked to a some kind of upset in the gut (8).
Early/ Abrupt Weaning
Research has shown a connection between unnatural weaning and stereotypic behaviors (11).
Psychological Condition
Recent studies have started to show similarities between human Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and horses who present various stereotypic behaviors, like weaving (12).
Weaving tends to decrease with increased access to forage (8).
Maximize access to forage, ideally 24/7.
Weaving and stereotypic Pawing are most commonly seen when stabled.
Maximize turnout time, ideally 24/7.
Weaving seems to increase when a horse cannot see other horses.
Pawing is sometimes born from frustration from lack of buddy time.
Maximize turnout time with friends. Horses should always have a buddy for turnout when possible.
If a horse needs to be isolated, you may see some success in decreasing Weaving by putting a mirror in the stall as an alternative to a friend (13). If the horse shows signs of aggression towards the mirror, replace it with other enrichment like hay balls.
Because weaving and pawing can indicate some kind of orthopedic or digestive pain, you may need to call a vet to rule out any discomfort or pain (4, 8, 10, 11, 14).
Understanding Stress and LIMA
Stereotypic behaviors are often rooted in stress (1-15).
Maximizing enrichment and comfort will assist in calming the horse and decreasing the behaviors.
Along with following the 3 F's, regular, appropriate exercise* has been noted to decrease some stereotypic behaviors, like Pawing and Weaving (14)
There has also been some success with decreasing Pawing through Positive Reinforcement (15).
*Forming an appropriate exercise plan must take into account: age, body condition, body conformation, training level, medical condition, and hoof condition. Exercise that is too long or too vigorous can harm a horse and create lasting conditions (16-19).
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