Sue McDonnell, PhD, Certified AAB
Sue M. McDonnell, PhD, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, is the founding head of the Equine Behavior Program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. McDonnell is the author of Understanding Horse Behavior, published by The Blood-Horse Inc., which is available at www.exclusivelyequine.com or by calling 800/582-5604.
Articles by Sue McDonnell
Tongue Games
February 01, 2012
My horse, a 14-year-old gelding, always sticks out his tongue when he plays the head-butting game with his bud Read More
Appropriate Breeding Age
January 01, 2012
What is the correct age to breed a mare for the first time? I have strongly c Read More
Detecting Discomfort
December 01, 2011
One of the challenges with equine pain management is often simply detecting a horse in pain and to what extent Read More
Pawing Prevention for Horses
October 01, 2011
A reader looks for help for their laminitic horse who hates being stall-bound. Read More
A Studly Gelding
October 01, 2011
This year he started displaying stallionlike behavior when the mares he's Read More
Nurse Mares
September 08, 2011
Dr. Sue McDonnell talks about what makes a reliable nurse mare. Read More
Imprint Training and Future Performance
August 25, 2011
Dr. Sue McDonnell answers a reader's quesion about foal imprint training. Read More
Coprophagy: Conventional Conduct?
July 25, 2011
Why should foals eating feces be classed as normal behavior when the foal is obviously lacking some nutrient? Read More
Dieting for Disposition
July 01, 2011
Is it possible to feed to improve a horse's behavior? Read More
Compulsive Circling
June 01, 2011
Why does my blind horse constantly pace in circles in an anticlockwise direction? Read More
Touching a Tickle Spot?
June 01, 2011
I own a 5-year-old Friesian cross mare that I have had since her birth; she i Read More
Rescue Horse Rehab
February 01, 2011
Sue McDonnell, PhD, on how to approach horses who exhibit extreme separation anxiety as a result of abuse Read More
The Equine Compulsion to Crib
January 01, 2011
Sue McDonnel, PhD, answers questions about equine cribbing. Read More
Panicky Horse? Vitamin B Might Help
December 01, 2010
Sue McDonnel, PhD, tells us what we can do to decrease the likelihood of a horsey panic attack. Read More
Naughty, Nipping Pony
November 01, 2010
Sue McDonnel, PhD, tells us why ponies bite and how we can put a stop to the painful behavior. Read More
New Gelding Trouble
October 01, 2010
Sue McDonnel, PhD, tells us how to deal with a new gelding who won't take orders. Read More
Learning to Load
September 01, 2010
At what age is it safe to start introducing a young horse to loading on a trailer? Read More
Foal 'Stealing'
September 01, 2010
Our pregnant mare thinks another mare's colt is hers. Is it common for pregnant mares to adopt others' foals? Read More
Rescued Horses: Looking For A Universal Companion
June 01, 2010
Sue McDonnel, PhD, tells us how to choose rehabilitation companions for rescued horses. Read More
Basic Horse Temperament and Behavior (Book Excerpt)
April 06, 2010
Those who have worked with different breeds of horses almost always have their opinion as to basic temperament and behavioral characteristics of certain breeds. Few would not agree that in general the warmblooded breeds, such as Thoroughbreds a Read More
Tongue Lolling
April 01, 2010
My Friesian filly will sometimes try to bite at her chest and stick her tongue out when I saddle her. Read More
Student Research on Horse Behavior
March 01, 2010
Q: I am a third-year veterinary student at Guelph's Ontario Veterinary College. I am working on a paper for my Equine Health Management class, and I am focusing on equine behavioral stereotypies (cribbing, weaving, stall/box walking) and pasturing... Read More
Student Research: Weaning, Foal Response to Mare Breeding
March 01, 2010
Questions: What is the best age to wean a foal? Is it a good/bad practice to take the afterbirth away from the mare right away so the veterinarian can check it? In the covering barn, why does the foal always get upset when the stallion...? Read More
I'm Knocking, But Don't Answer!
February 01, 2010
Behaviorist Dr. Sue McDonnell discusses how a horse owner can get rid of her horse's incessant door-banging behavior in a week. Read More
Pregnant Personality
February 01, 2010
I have a 7-year-old Morgan mare who is pregnant for the first time. She was orphaned at foaling but got a nurse mare quickly, and has always been overly friendly and sweet. However, at several months in foal she has become aggressive and nippy. Read More
