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