We tell children to "quit horsing around", or describe exuberant play in children as "horseplay". What is the basis for these commonly used phrases? Horses are social group-living animals just like humans, and like humans, play is an integral part of their maturation and their social communication. Play has been well documented and described in wild horses as well as in domesticated horses. We will explore the types of play behavior we see in horses and examine the similarities and differences in play between horses of different ages and different social situations. Some of the questions we will look at will include whether play objects designed for horses really stimulate play and whether horses develop "vices" due to play or lack of play. Discover the answers to these questions and more by joining Equine Extension Specialist Dr. Jenifer Nadeau for an intimate look into the mind of one of man's most cherished domestic animals, the horse!
Presented by the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History, part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at UConn. 860-486-4460 - www.mnh.uconn.edu.
This event will be presented by Dr. Jenifer Nadeau, Animal Sciences Department and Equine Extension Specialist, UConn, at the Biology/Physics Building, Storrs campus, Room 130. No registration required for this free event for adults and children ages 8 and above. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
