Equine Ethogram

Horse Ethogram

Type Of Behaviour Behaviour Code Description Of
Behaviour
Solitary Relaxed/Idle RI Droopy lower lip, ears
adjacent to the side,
relaxed nostrils,
dropped tail, rear-hind
leg shifting
weight/relaxed limb,
relaxed top-line, poll
held low positioned
below the withers, at
a halt

Sleep S Horse assumes
standing up position
locking knee joints for
sleep, stays in one
place, closed eyes,
droopy lower lip, and
is not alert to
environmental
changes
Maintenance M Horse urinates or
defecates whilst lifting
tail
Self-grooming SG Horse curls neck
round to hind leg,
hind leg extends
forward and uses
muzzle and tongue to
sooth its own fur
Movement Walk W Four-beat gait in
sequential diagonal
movement in a
forward direction
Trot T Forward two-beat
gait, legs synchronized
diagonally in a
forward direction
Canter C Forward three-beat
gait asymmetrically in
a forward direction
Rearing R Weight is shifted onto
hind legs in contact
with the ground whilst
top line maintains
tension, neck and
head is lifted
preparing for upwards