Horse Behavior Q & A: Thinking Ahead...

My mare hardly ever wants to go forward with me. When I ask her to move forward (with a nudge, then a kick), she just pins her ears back and goes slower. We have already tried teaching her to go every time I kick, and I also use my crop to really reinforce the message, but this usually results in her kicking and still moving slower. Her saddle is correctly fit, and her bit is not strong at all. When I put her on the lunge line, she bolts and will move very fast. I do hunters (jumping and flat), and really need my horse to move forward! Help!
—Jenn C.


Thank you for the detail, Jenn—it helps in giving an accurate response. I think that you and your horse have developed a pattern of miscommunication that is probably leading to some frustration for both of you, and I am going to suggest something a bit different than what you have been trying.


We have a perfect way to capture animation and forward movement with her, as it sounds like she is moving forward quite well (maybe too well) on the lunge line. Let’s teach her a verbal cue while on the line that you can then transfer for use when on her back. Instead of using force, we want to teach her that the behavior we ask for feels good. Pick a clear verbal cue—maybe “hup” or “up,” or something plain and distinct. As she gets ready to move forward on the line, give her the cue—“Hup!”—and allow her to go forward. After a few strides, softly and calmly “whoa” her, then repeat.


I would stay off of her back for a few days, focusing instead on the ground work, and then give her a day or two off so she is nice and fresh. When you do get on her back, take her to a spot where she is more likely to be animated (maybe a trail or outdoor ring). Take an old lunge whip and break it so that you have the “tickle” end and about three feet of stick. You will NOT be hitting her with it—just tickle her tush (literally the lightest touch, right by her tail) if the cue alone does not move her forward. Be sure to keep your rein loose, your body forward and use your verbal cue. If she moves forward at all, any increase in speed or pace, let her go just a few steps, then “whoa” her softly and give her a long scratch on her mane. Then repeat just once or twice a day. Short sessions, with good rewards, will likely change her behavior. Good luck!

Nutrition Q & A: Vegetarian Diets for Dogs

My 8-year-old shih tzu has been eating regular dog food all her life, but I’ve read that shih tzus can be vegetarian. She loves carrots. I give her a piece about once a day. If I feed her only fresh vegetables, can she become a healthy vegetarian?
―Lindsay


Vegetables by themselves would not be nutritionally sufficient for your dog, Lindsay. Since dogs are omnivorous, they can be fed a balanced vegetarian diet, but it’s important to keep in mind that proteins from high-quality animal sources contain all of the essential amino acids that dogs require, while proteins from plant sources may contain only some of these essential nutrients.

Choosing a plant-based diet requires careful planning and supplementation. Vegetarian foods can be well-balanced with egg and milk products, while vegan diets are more challenging to balance. A vegan diet may also be deficient in amino acids such as arginine, lysine, methionine, tryptophan, taurine, and may be lacking in iron, calcium, zinc, vitamin A and some B vitamins.

If you do decide to go with a vegetarian diet, make sure you work with your veterinarian to find supplements that meet your dog's needs, and have your vet frequently monitor your dog's nutritional status to prevent any possible health problems. If you choose a commercial vegetarian diet, check the label to make sure an AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) feeding trial was done. This will indicate more about the diet’s nutritional completeness.

A better option may be to stick with a high-quality, meat-based food that you can supplement with the carrots your girl seems to love. Many people feed their dogs carrot sticks as treats, and as long as 90 to 95% of your dog's daily calories come from her regular food, nutritional imbalances should not be a problem.

Did You Take Your Dog to Work?

Take Your Dog to Work Day was Friday, June 22. Did you bring along your pup to charm your coworkers, boost sales at the store, or even negotiate a big raise on your behalf (who can say no to those big eyes, right?)?

This national day, created by Pet Sitters International in 1999, is meant to inspire pet adoptions from shelters—it’s a great way to show off your dog and spend some extra quality time together, too. If your workplace doesn’t allow animals in the building, we hope you brought lots of pictures!

If you want to share with others what you and your dog did on Friday, or what you've done in past years, come join our discussion! Photos are welcome!

Horse Behavior Q & A: Tune In & Turn Out

My friend has a show jumper who has had trouble in the past with bolting when turned out. The problem was solved with some natural horsemanship, training and patience. Now he no longer does this for his owner. However, he recently has reverted to the old behavior with every handler other than his owner. He's also not allowing anyone but his owner to catch him from turn out. What do you recommend?
—Laurie


Natural horsemanship has become a bit of a catch-all term, Laurie, so I can’t be sure exactly what method was used for this horse. Teaching a horse a behavior we want replicated with more than just one person often requires that the horse is consistently handled, using the same cues with several people so that the behavior “generalizes.” This means that the horse learns that all people respond the same way, so his default behavior becomes the new learned behavior. Right now, the horse has learned that almost all people behave one way, but his owner behaves another—and he responds accordingly.


Regarding catching him at turn out—he will need to learn that coming in means he gets something really good. Every person who goes to get him should always bring a scoop of grain or something desirable. I would start with the owner using this technique (so the horse can quickly learn that what is in the scoop is tasty). After a few scoop/owner interactions, I strongly suggest a two-day “power train,” enlisting the help of three or four different folks. Begin by having each person simply walk out, one by one, halter over their shoulder and grain scoop with a bit of grain in hand. Approach the horse; give the grain, give a tiny pat, and then leave. Soon, the little pat should increase to touching with the lead rope, then placing the halter on before the food is given.

Good luck, and remember that a bit of patience and a good sense of humor will help!

Nutrition Q & A: Dobie Can't Gain Weight

My Doberman is 1½ years old and eats regularly. She has a healthy appetite for canned food and water, but she’s not gaining any weight, and you can actually see her ribs and tailbone. I’ve been working with my vet, but we can’t figure out what’s wrong.
―Lyn


The first thing we recommend, Lyn, is that you provide your dog with a high-quality food. In addition to canned food, you may want to make dry food available to her on a free-choice basis, at least until she reaches a healthy weight. She should also be on a parasite treatment and prevention plan to ensure that parasites are not contributing to her lack of weight gain. Parasites can sometimes be present, even when they’re not identified on routine screening tests.
You should also keep in mind that there are other potential health problems that could prevent your dog from gaining weight, including absorption and metabolic disorders. We encourage you to continue working with your veterinarian to identify the problem. If your vet is not able to identify the cause, then we recommend you turn to a specialist for additional help.

ASPCA Visits NBC Studios

On June 12, ASPCA volunteers and staff members attended a summer volunteer event at NBC Studios. Guests signed up to receive more information about becoming ASPCA volunteers, and greeted the 10 adoptable pets who made their appearance at the event. Two dogs, Lucky and Billy, were adopted by NBC employees—maybe they’ll get to star in their own reality show?!

“Today Show” anchor Meredith Vieira has Lucky’s tongue wagging!



“Nightly News” anchor Brian Williams and Louie. Looking for a new co-anchor, Brian?


Telemundo anchors Jorge Ramos and Patsi Arias, ASPCA staffers and furry friends Lucky and Louie. Que magnifico!

Ask Dr. LaFarge: Pet Loss for Veterinary Professionals

I work at a 24-hour veterinary emergency hospital and want to give clients info for local support groups and counseling options. Can you recommend a tasteful way for this to be done? We just want to offer all the support that we can. Thank you very much, Dr. LaFarge.
—Ariane


I applaud you for wanting to offer support to your clients, Ariane.

The best way is to be honest and direct. Don't be afraid to refer to some of the negative emotions that come with pet loss. You will not cause anyone any harm by naming problems.

When I respond to pet loss issues, I keep the following issues in mind:

- Most people are shocked by how upset they feel at the loss of a pet, but they may not want a referral to a traditional therapist. They may appreciate a list of local professionals who state they specialize in grieving for a pet.
- The Web has many, many resources. You can pick several phone numbers for pet loss hotlines and list those for clients. Good idea to call each of the numbers just to confirm they are still working.
- If you send a bereavement card to clients, you can include a brief list of resources in the card. You can also post the list of resources in the waiting room so people can start to prepare themselves in advance of the death.
- You can introduce the information with a statement such as: "The loss of a pet is upsetting to most owners. Some people need reassurance that they made the right end-of-life decisions. Parents may want advice in dealing with their children regarding the loss. Others may want to know when to get another pet. The resources listed in this brochure may be helpful to you. Please feel free to contact our office if there is anything you want to discuss."

Pet Nutrition Q & A: An Apple A Day...

My Icelandic horses love apples and carrots. Are these treats safe and healthy for them?
―Halina


Yes, Halina, apples and carrots are safe to feed to your horses. However, it’s important to cut the treats into small pieces to avoid any possibility of choking. In addition, I would recommend giving your horses only a small amount each day. Feeding them too many treats may interfere with their normal eating patterns and may cause digestive upset.

Horse Behavior Q & A: Help for a Dirty Habit?

Hi Dr. Weiss, I hope you can help me. Recently I witnessed my horse eating her own poop in her stall. I have not seen her do this in the field. She's a 23-year-old Arab/Welch pony who is fed 1.5 lbs. of senior grain twice a day, and right now, until pasture comes in, she has access to unlimited hay. Now that I've seen this, I wonder how long it's been going on. Early in the morning, she does not have as much waste in her stall as my other pony does in his.

Why is she doing this, is it dangerous, and how can I get her to stop?
—Becky


This behavior has a fancy name—coprophagia. Coprophagia is regularly seen among foals, and while it does occur in adult horses, it is much less common. The behavior can occur because of dietary imbalances or boredom. I would begin by having a vet take a quick look at your horse's current diet to make sure it is complete. You might also discuss with your vet the possibility of running some blood work. Assuming all is normal with her diet and blood work, begin providing your horse with plenty of enrichment options while in her stall, such as lick treats, bobbing for apples in her water bucket or a scratching place. Also, be sure she has plenty of outdoor time turned out in a paddock. The behavior should decrease when she has more opportunity for enrichment.

Equine Behavior Q & A: Help for a Bored Horse

Dr. Weiss, please help me. I’m 15 years old, and I got the horse of my dreams about a year ago. She is around nine years old and 14 hands. I haven't yet ridden her because my parents are scared of horses, and they didn't want me to ride her until an "experienced" person would be available to help me. That never happened, but I still spent lots of time with her, at least in the beginning.

As a result of joining a school sports team, I didn’t see my horse for a few months. When the season ended, I resumed my regular visits—but now she is different. The walks in the field we had together have now turned into her chasing me. The happy grooming sessions we had have been replaced with her biting and kicking me.

What is wrong? She hates me!! I cry every time I visit her, because I feel that she is punishing me for being a bad horse owner. I miss her, and I feel so guilty. How can I heal my relationship with my horse and get her to respect me?
—Laura

Laura, thank you for your question. As you have discovered, horses require lots of time and attention. They are herd animals, and if they are not given the opportunity to bond with other horses, they need the bond with their humans even more. It is possible that part of what you are seeing is a bored and frustrated horse who has learned some inappropriate ways to interact in your absence.

It is also possible that she is having some hormone issues, so I would recommend you have a vet conduct a thorough exam.

You may want to consider arranging a co-guardianship with another horse lover to help assure that she receives the attention and exercise that she likely needs.

Finally, read through some of the other Q&As for some ideas on enrichment activities for your horse. Good luck to both of you!

Pet Nutrition Q & A: Finicky Feline

My cat only eats his food when I sit beside him and pet during his meal. If I don't do this, he takes sporadic bites and cries at his food bowl, but won't actually eat. How can I change this behavior? ―Sarah

We would recommend taking your cat to the veterinarian to rule out a medical or dental problem, Sarah. If your veterinarian believes your pet is healthy and concludes that this is a behavioral problem, we would recommend you gradually fade yourself out of your cat's mealtimes. In order to make this easier for him, you may consider adding some canned tuna, tuna water or another food product your cat enjoys) to make his meal more palatable and encourage him to eat.

Remember that treats such as canned tuna or other products you add should only make up between 5 to 10 percent of your cat's daily caloric intake. The rest should come from high- quality cat food. Cats are naturally sporadic eaters, so you may not see him eat a large amount of food all at once. Because liver problems can occur in cats who do not eat, it’s important to monitor your cat's food intake closely throughout the process of teaching him to have his meal without you there. If you become concerned that your cat has not eaten, or if your cat does not appear well, we would recommend a trip to the veterinarian to diagnose or rule out a medical condition.

Equine Behavior Q & A: Introducing a New Horse

What is the best way to introduce a horse to two others who have been together for over 10 years? I’m putting my new small pinto into an adjacent area, so that the two 16.2- and 17-hand thoroughbred horses can see him and share the water tank, etc. But I am so worried that my big horse will hurt the new little guy once they get put together. All three horses in question are geldings.
—Deb

Believe it or not, Deb, size is not always the determining factor in herd structure and hierarchy. If your horses have done well with other horses in the past, they will likely do well with this new pinto.

The procedure you are using is what is often called a “howdy.” The animals have the opportunity to see, hear and even interact a bit while still in between a fence. In most cases, when this is done with horses over a couple of weeks, the herd accepts the newcomer easily when in the same pen. Watch how the three behave with each other around the shared water tank. Do they pin their ears? Spin and threaten to kick? Does the pinto avoid interaction, or does he initiate interaction? You may want to set up some feed buckets close to the tank to observe their behavior when food is present.

The only other thing I would suggest is enlisting some friends to come take all three out on a few trail rides together. Allow them to stand next to each other, bump into one another and so forth. Good luck!

Nutrition Q & A: Oh, Soy!

Is it safe for my five-year-old female cat to drink soy milk?
—Debra


We would not recommend feeding your cat soy milk in place of fresh water or as the major ingredient in her diet, Debra. However, if your cat likes a taste of soy milk as an occasional treat, it shouldn't cause her any harm—just keep the portion small.

In general, treats should make up no more than 5 to 10 percent of your pet's daily caloric intake. The rest of her calories should come from a high-quality, nutritionally complete cat food. It’s also important to remember that pets’ digestive systems can be very sensitive, and unfamiliar foods can cause digestive upset. If you notice your cat having problems as a result of the soy milk, we would recommend that you stop feeding it to her.

You can also take a look on our website for more information about how people foods and products can affect your pets.