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The Goal of this Website
The Goal of this Website
This website was developed to provide a scientific literature review geared towards beginners in the horse world. The science behind behavior and welfare is important to know when caring for and training horses, but the research articles can get pretty tough to read, especially when statistics and data sets get involved. For that reason, this website serves as a stepping stone for people to learn about the current literature. Scientists have been working on really cool research lately, so we want to take down barriers that sit between you and learning. Equine science has been booming, and everyone deserves to know more about these beautiful animals!
Roadmap of the Website
Roadmap of the Website
Before diving into the world of horse behavior and welfare, let's discuss how this website is organized. This homepage provides brief overviews of what you will need to know before moving onto the next pages. The background is important to give context to the information laid out in the rest of the website.
The drop down menus in the top right corner of the screen will help you find your answers, or you can follow the links wherever your curiosity leads you!
Introduction to Behavior and Welfare
Introduction to Behavior and Welfare
This section gives a brief overview and some context to the website as a whole from Behavior to Training.
Behavior Section
Behavior Section
The behavior pages are structured as following:
Relevant definitions
What the behavior looks like
Why the behavior may occur
How we can help the horse
At the end of the behavior section, there is a quiz for you to track your own progress as you wish. The quiz consists of one question per behavior discussed, and it is multiple choice and ungraded.
Welfare Section
Welfare Section
The welfare section is dedicated to discussing a few aspects of animal welfare that are essential for setting the horse up for success.
Domains vs. Freedoms discusses the different structures that animal welfare scientists use to assess animal welfare objectively.
When To Call The Pros highlights the importance of regular vet and farrier care to maintain good health and rule out any pain that may cause unwanted or "dangerous" behaviors.
Stress & LIMA discusses the definition and effects of stress and how we can minimize the stress an animal experiences to avoid those effects.
Suggestions Section
Suggestions Section
The Suggestion Section helps to give solutions after we have identified a problem. Many behavioral issues are caused by the way the horse was reared and/or how it is currently managed and handled. This section summarizes the effects of how our management can affect the horse while giving solutions to increase the horse's quality of life.
Housing and Diet dives into the "3 F's" rule, which aims to imitate the life a horse would live in the wild.
Training describes the various ways in which animals learn and how we can change the way they behave. This section also dispels a few myths about horse training and gives solutions to common issues!
First, let's go to the Introduction.
About the Author
About the Author
This website was developed by Brianna Li Fo Sjoe as a Capstone project to obtain their Master's in Animal Welfare and Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania, Class of Spring 2024. Li Fo Sjoe resides in Western Washington and works as a behaviorist and trainer for horses and shelter animals. Working alongside other professionals of various fields, Li Fo Sjoe believes a holisitic approach to horse care is the key to providing horses with the best and most enriching lives in domestication. Li Fo Sjoe specializes in Force Free and Positive Reinforcement training methods to ensure the best outcomes for the animals, which is where their passion lies.
Meet the Author's Pets!
Meet the Author's Pets!
Bean, 15 year old Maverick-Medicine BLM Mustang
Kota, 3 year old Sand Wash Basin BLM Mustang
Simon (left), 1 year old Hound mix
Ren (right), 12 year old Beagle/Dachshund/Chihuahua
Azula, 6 year old Tortie
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