Newsletter -
Although Britain is considered to be a nation of animal lovers there aren’t many
events where we can learn more about our pets and other animals.
Learning About Animals was set up to provide information and promote interest in the welfare and behaviour of animals. The aim is to bridge the gap between professionals/scientists working with animals and the public.
If you have any suggestions for future events or if you would like to be considered to be a speaker please contact me.
I am also a qualified equine behaviourist and run consultations in Surrey and the Home Counties. For more details please visit the relevant section of the web site.
Events Spring 2009
**Some tickets still left**
An Introduction to Equine Behaviour
Saturday 9th May 2009 (half-
This event will provide a basic introduction to the fascinating field of equine behaviour. During the morning workshop we will consider what horses really need and how we can meet those needs in the domestic environment. We will also briefly look at body language, how horse’s learn and the reasons why problems can develop.
£7 Details.
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What Science can tell us about the Intelligence of Dogs
Saturday 20th June 2009,
Woking, Surrey
Dr Britta Osthaus, lecturer and researcher in animal cognition at Christ Church University, will discuss dog intelligence in what promises to be a lively and interactive afternoon.
£12 (£10 concessions) Details.
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Small furry pets
Saturday morning lecture, date to be confirmed, July 2009, Surrey
Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, chinchillas -
£5 Details coming soon.
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Rabbit Behaviour Workshops
Various venues in Surrey throughout 2009
Although rabbits are the UK’s third most popular pet they are often misunderstood.
These events will briefly discuss how understanding rabbit behaviour and body language
to can help us to better understand what pet rabbits need. Details. Please e-
For further details of all events/tickets/how to book please visit the web site or call 07961 996628.
Behaviour corner -
Rats sleep for between 13 and 15 hours per day. They tend to be crepuscular (most active at dawn and dusk) or nocturnal.
Rats produce three main types of nest:
- The pad: this is the most typical type of nest that male rats build> It is the simplest kind of nest and consists of just a few flat objects such as leaves or paper.
- The cup: a cup shaped nest is larger and has low walls, lined with flat, interwoven objects.
- The hooded nest: this is the largest, most organized nest. Its walls grow so high they form a ceiling and the nest becomes a hollow sphere with one opening. These nests are built by mothers for litters.
Burrows start from under a ‘digging stone’ (see picture below). Rats drag or carry nesting material in their mouths to their chosen sleeping spot, such as a nest box or burrow, to build a nest.
Wild rats use leaves and grass to build their nests. Domestic rats may use fabric, tissue paper, or shredded cardboard. Rats may shred the nest material into smaller sizes, and line the bottom of their nest with it.
Featured web site -
Older dogs are often overlooked at rescue centres. This web site is especially for
older dogs looking for homes and has been responsible for re-
Check out the Wildlife Aid web site – 
which includes the following:
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Featured speaker -
Dr Osthaus is giving a workshop talk in June about the intelligence of dogs.
Starting with a history of dog cognition research, the afternoon will then look at problem solving in dogs, detour experiments and social cognition (between dogs and with humans). And we will consider such questions as can dogs count? And how do they recognise odours?
Dr Osthaus is a lecturer at Christ Church University in Canterbury on subjects including evolutionary psychology, animal cognition and behaviour.
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“The whole of science, and one is tempted to think the whole of the life of any thinking
man, is trying to come to terms with the relationship between yourself and the natural
world. Why are you here, and how do you fit in, and what's it all about. “
Sir David
Attenborough
Photo story
This horse (one of mine) used to be frightened of umbrellas. These three photos document a clicker training session in which he is rewarded for approaching the potentially scary object and touching it with his nose for a reward. By the end of the session umbrellas aren’t so scary!
The Art and Science of Clicker Training for Horses, A positive approach to training equines and understanding them by Ben Hart. Amazon link
There are other people who are doing g
reat things with clicker training equines,
and some who understand the science behind why it works (and why it doesn't if not
done in the right way) but this is the first book to comprehensively put it all together.
Each chapter answers a common question about clicker training and is incredibly well
thought-
Ben Hart describes using the clicker as an intermediate
as well as terminal bridge. As he says, many horses work this out for themselves
and some owners naturally train this way but Hart, being the aforementioned sort
who needs to take things apart before putting them back together again, delves deeper
and considers why this might be the case and how we can use these signals more purposefully.
The author's enthusiasm for his subject leaps out from every page. The writing style
is accessible and rooted in his insatiable desire to share information that will
make the world a better place for equines.
I particularly liked the chapter entitled
`Can I use clicker training in conjunction with my other training methods?' -
Ben Hart considers
walking the talk vital in gaining credibility and getting the message out responsibly
but this book shows that he doesn't just walk the talk -
Suzanne Rogers, Learning About Animals
Bullfighting -
In Catalonia the animal welfare group Prou were aiming for 50,000 local signatures
within 120 days – a petition of this size and timeframe legally forces the regional
parliament to vote on a ban. However, more than 121,000 people signed, which ensures
that a vote will take place, potentially very good news for the more than 100 bulls
that die every year in this region in bullfights. Many countries in Latin America
still hold bullfighting events although in November 2008, Caracas, the capital of
Venezuela became anti-
Two minute guide to sheep
There are over one billion sheep in the world.
Sheep ‘on the range’ spend 50% of the daylight hours grazing, of which 7 hours are spent grazing and two hours travelling.
If unrestricted they can travel 6-
Most sheep in a group will be doing the same thing at the same time.
Sheep are awake for 16 hours a day and drowse for 4.5 hours a day.
The social relationships of sheep are formed in the first few weeks of age and appear to persist for life in an undisturbed flock.
Sheep are able to recognise and remember up to 50 sheep faces and those of familiar humans.
Less than 1% of sheep are kept in intensive farms (although that is still several
million animals) but there are still welfare concerns for sheep and lambs -