It’s believed that grooming areas on the body that they can’t reach establishes and maintains social relationships, and may also foster trust and cooperation in horses. It also helps remove sweat, dirt, mud, lice, fleas and ticks and distributes natural oils throughout the coat.
Sources:
- More than scratching an itch, The Paulick Report, October 4, 2024. Link.
- A horse’s need for behavioral companionship, IBAAC Foundation Journal. Link.
Allogrooming has been suggested to be an important social behavior, as it builds social bonds and can even lower a horse’s heart rate.”
INSIGHTS: Long-term and short-term social isolation can negatively impact horse welfare. Use these articles to help horse owners understand their horses’ behavioral needs, including keeping them in groups.