Equine behavior: behavior test, preliminary test 2 (Fall 2010, indoor), Sassafras, mustang yearling female

Test conducted by Dr. Sarah L. Ralston at the George H. Cook Campus, Rutgers University as part of the Young Horse Teaching & Research Program of the Equine Science Center, Rutgers University. One of a series of tests comparing behavior responses of mustangs fed a high starch diet versus behavior responses of mustangs fed a low starch diet. In this second test, four mustangs have been on a high starch diet (total mixed ration cubes and 10% corn) and four have been on a low starch diet (only total mixed ration cubes) for about a week. The subject was RU Sassafras. Duration of test: 4 min 59 sec. Overall Average score on a scale of 1-5 (5 is highest compliance): 4.3. Sassafras is reluctant to stand still when being rubbed and is a good example of a horse misbehaving and not wanting to have her legs lifted.Test components, with score ranked 1-5 (5 is highest compliance): Capture and lead (5) -- Halt (5) -- Stand still (5) -- Touch face and ears (5) -- Rub torso (4) -- Front leg lift (3) -- Hind leg lift (3) -- Back three steps (3) -- Turn left (4) -- Turn right (5) -- Lead from right (5).One of a series of videos recording behaviors of draft horse crosses and U.S. Bureau of Land Management mustangs