Tricky traits

MEET THE EXPERT

JUSTINE HARRISON is a certified equine behaviour consultant. She applies the science of behaviour and learning to help owners understand and solve horse behaviour problems. She has spent most of her life with horses and has many years’ experience riding, competing and handling horses for owners and friends. Visit equinebehaviourist.co.uk

BEHAVIOURS SUCH AS crib-biting, box walking and weaving in horses are known as stereotypies, and there are many theories as to why horses carry them out, as well as different views on how to manage or prevent them. It is often believed that horses copy the behaviour from others, or that they can only be inherited. A long-debated question, however, is whether these stereotypies can be stopped if they have already been learned — and if attempting to do so is a good idea or not.

Resolving a stereotypy depends on how long the horse has been performing the behaviour, his age