Weaving (horse)

The weaving is a mental disorder behavior of a horse in the stable posture. It's like the Koppen a stereotype, ie a pattern of behavior, which is often shown in boredom.

Symptoms

When weaving the horse commutes with the head and neck game back and forth, and in addition the weight is constantly being shifted from one front leg to the other. With very strong weaving it may be that the hindquarters swings in the opposite direction. Due to the continuous exposure may cause damage in the forehand joints ( bones and tendons). This stereotypical motion is also known by other captive animals such as elephants, camels and bears.

The weaving is less common than the better-known symptom " Koppen ", approximately in the ratio 1:3. Most horses with a higher proportion of whole blood are more likely to suffer from weaving.

Similar behavioral disorders in horses

Under the " circus movement " means a permanent circular motion of the horse in its box. The aforementioned Koppen is also a stereotyped behavioral disorder in which you will make a distinction here between Aufsetzkoppern and free Koppern.

Treatment

Treatment of weaving is often difficult and tedious. On the one hand cause research needs to be operated to the possible trigger for the mental stress of the horse, such as overloading in training situations to find out isolation of the same species or even boredom. On the other hand, a concomitant optimization of the species-specific husbandry conditions of the horse, especially in terms of feed intake, the welfare movement and social behavior, to strive for. Primary measures are especially the open stable or regular paddock.

The fact that the weaving of a horse can be mimicked by other horses, is unoccupied. The previously recommended for this reason, separation of conspecifics to their protection is rejected today because they can not increase the tendency for weaving.

Legal situation in horse sale

Weaving considered a defect that should be disclosed and documented before buying a horse. Failure to comply may later have legal consequences to price reduction and withdrawal of woven horse. However, the weaving is not considered a buy legally relevant to the end of 2001 so-called main responsibility defects in horse sale.

The district court Schleswig decided (2 C 21/ 10) on 18 June 2010 that the weaving of a horse, although being a behavioral disorder, but not one to withdraw qualifying deficiency, since it offers neither a power nor would an adverse health effect.