APPLIED EQUINE ETHOLOGY IN THE CLINICAL ENVIRONMENT

Janine Elizabeth Davies
Janine qualified as a veterinary surgeon at University of Zaragoza and as an intermediate equestrian coach at the Federacion Hipica Aragonesa, Zaragoza (Spain) in 1995. While still in Spain, she lectured at seminars, alongside the National Police on Animal Behaviour and worked as an independent translator at Zaragoza Veterinary Faculty. She competed successfully at Advanced Medium Dressage and Show Jumping.

She worked as an equine veterinarian in England for four years, also serving as an independent veterinarian for the RSPCA at the ancient Appleby Horse Fair 1998—2000. In 2000 Janine moved to the province of Malaga (Spain) where she initiated and ran her own equine mobile veterinary practice. In 2005, Janine moved from Spain to Vancouver Island (Canada) where she resided for 10 years. It was at this point in time when her interest in equine behaviour and welfare really came to the forefront and after a period of career transition, she started a new business in behavioural consultation and coaching practice. Her journey into the world of Equitation Science began in 2010 and in May 2014 Janine achieved an Associate Diploma in Equitation Science, through the Australian Equine Behaviour centre AEBC (now Equitation Science International) becoming the first ES graduate in North America. While in Canada she also gained her Equine Canada Competition Coach Certification which has international recognition. Through lectures and workshops, she raised awareness of how the application of Learning Theory and Equitation Science Principles in horse handling and training ultimately lead to improved equine welfare both at home and in competition.

In September 2015 Janine returned to the UK where she enrolled in a Postgraduate Certificate in Equestrian Performance at Hartpury College, one of the world’s largest equine colleges with world-class facilities. Undertaking research in the following areas: Equine Stereotypical and Anticipatory Behaviour; the Application of Punishment in Horse Training; the Relationship between Problematic Behaviours and Horse Training strategies; and the Physical and Psychological Aptitudes of a Professional Dressage Rider. From February 2019—February 2020 Janine was Chairman of the British Horse Society in Witlshire (UK).
1. Section 1: Managing the equine patient

Introduction

The equine patient

Recognition of pain

Physical restraint

Chemical restraint and analgesia

2. Section 2: Learning Theory

Introduction to how the horse learns

Non-associate learning

Associate learning

Training and time

Behavioural modification techniques

3. Section 3: Applied learning theory in equine clinical procedures

Training immobility

Desensitization to an oral syringe

Desensitization to inoculation at various injection sites

Head control and desensitization of related structures

Desensitization of sensitive body areas: flanks, genitalia and rectum

Training the horse to keep his/her foot on the ground

Training the horse to pick his/her feet up without kicking

Over-shadowing technique explained for use in horses with severe anxiety towards certain object