NBLA Announces Speaker

The Newtown Bridle Lands Association will have Associate Professor and Equine Extension Specialist Dr Jenifer Nadeau, from the University of Connecticut, speak at the open meeting on Tuesday, August 16 at 7:30 pm, in the lower level of The Meeting House on Main Street.

The slide show presentation and topic will be, “Horse Play! A Talk.” The presentation will include talk about the phrases “quit horsing around,” and “horseplay.” What is the basis for these commonly used phrases? Horses are social group-living animals just like humans, and like humans, play is an integral part of their maturation and their social communication. Play has been well documented and described in wild horses as well as in domesticated horses.

The presentation will explore the types of play behavior we see in horses and examine the similarities and differences in play between horses of different ages and different social situations. Some of the questions that will be looked into will include whether play objects designed for horses really stimulate play and whether horses develop “vices” due to play or lack of play.

Discover the answers to these questions and more by joining Dr Nadeau for an intimate look into the mind of one of man’s most cherished domestic animals, the horse.

The event is free to NBLA members and a donation is requested from non-members. Refreshments will be available and RSVPs are greatly appreciated. Call 203-791-4853 or email newtownhorses@charter.net.