The Journal of Animal Consciousness Vol 1, Issue 2 Vol 1 Issue 2 | Page 39

of the horse (Reagan, 2012). Separation anxiety is

Operant conditioning renders the being devoid of

reported as a problem by horse owners with some

interiority.

horses affected more than others.

Are these intra-

being removed and replaced with a black box where

species differences related to developmental

stimuli are sent in and the result is behavior. This is

attachment styles in equines? The perspective has

a simplistic and reductionist approach. According to

not been investigated to date.

Additionally, the

De Giorgio and Schoorl (2013, p.98), operant

‘breaking’ of a horse requires the breaking down of

conditioning “disrupts a horse’s problem-solving

it’s natural instincts often to the point of learned

abilities, his abilities to be creative and his abilities

helplessness (Hothersall and Casey, 2011; De

to deal with changing circumstances, because they

Giorgio & Schoorl, 2013). Consequently, there are

reinforce linear reactions by asking for precise

less natural equine expressions presented. These are

reaction that is independent from the actual

systematically repressed using operant conditioning

situation......the animal is consequently trained....to

in the attempt to make equines ‘safe’ (De Giorgio &

ignore and inhibit his capacity to create sound

Schoorl, 2013). It is the belief of this author that this

understanding of his environment”.

type of breaking the horses spirit causes

there are effects upon the physiological structures,

psychological and emotional damage to the Equus

such as,

state of being