User:Ccg246/sandbox

Peer Review from user RosieLillian
Hi,

I really enjoyed your article. I thought that it had interesting content and I feel like I walked away definitely knowing more.

If I could suggest a couple of things to improve your article, they would be mainly about sourcing. For example, in the first small paragraph under the heading "causes" there was no source cited, as well as, no source for the paragraph under "Negative effects". I also suggest adding a couple of sources for where you got the suggestions on how to avoid and manage weaving.

Also, as someone who doesn't know very much about horses, I wasn't quite sure what "horsemen" meant. If it is a specific term, maybe you could add a small description. In terms of the general layout of your article, I think that structure of your article looks good; I would only maybe think about adding a photo to it.

Your article is written well, has an easy structure to follow and a neutral tone. It is an informative article, and I enjoyed reading it.

Article Evaluation
Article: Weaving (horse)

Content/tone
This article describes the horse behaviour of weaving. It is a succinct article, describing why horses weave, and the effects it has on the horse, and management of the behaviour. It is a short article, and has a few missing citations. It seems to be written using personal knowledge about the topic because of the lack of citations/references, yet it remains unbiased (no personal experiences, etc.). There are no pictures/video in the article, which would be helpful in learning about the topic.

Talk page
The talk page for this article is not very active, there is only 4 comments on it, 3 of them being from 2007, and the latest one from this September from a student asking to update the link for the second reference.

Reference list
- Update reference 2 : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2007.02.001

- Update reference 3: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1591(02)00086-2

- Add reference: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2006.06.014 "Weaving in stabled horses and its relationship to other behavioral traits"

- Add reference: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2013.04.068 "Equine stereotypic behaviors: Causation, occurrence, and prevention"

Add a citation
Fixed and updated reference list for Weaving (horse)

To fix
- fix references citation to be the same for all ( .[1] )

Drafting
"Weaving is a behavior displayed by some horses in which the horse repetitively sways side to side, shifting its weight and moving its head and neck back and forth. It may also include swaying of the rest of the body and picking up the front legs, and is categorized as a stable vice . Some horses exhibit non-stereotypical weaving, and instead engage in variations on this behavior ." Weaving is a behaviour in horses that is classified as a stable vice, in which the horse repetitively sways on its forelegs, shifting its weight back and forth by moving the head and neck side to side. It may also include swaying of the rest of the body and picking up the front legs. Ultimately, the domestication of horses is considered to be the ultimate cause of stable vices such as weaving. There are no reports of wild horses displaying weaving behaviour, mainly because these horses are in their natural state, i.e. they are not confined or on a schedule. Domesticated horses are often housed in stalls (typically 8x8 or 12x12) at night, and are allowed turnout (i.e. time outside) during the day. Horses that are housed in solitary confinement from other horses, or those that do not get daily turnout, or inadequate turnout, are more at risk for developing stable vices such as weaving.

Horses often perform this vice due to stress. Horses tend to weave near the door of their stall, possibly because they desire to leave the stall to move around. Horses also sometimes weave near a window to the aisle or the exterior of the stable, which would provide visual stimulation.

However, some horses that have developed the habit will also weave while turned out, signifying that the problem is not solely one of confinement.

Many equestrians believe weaving is a learned habit. However, some experts theorize that weaving could more likely develop in horses with a genetic predisposition to it. Thus, there is a debate over whether weaving is a learned behavior that horses pick up by observing another horse who weaves, or if it is an inborn tendency that develops under a certain set of environmental conditions. These two arguments fail to take into account the fact that most behaviours can be both genetically and environmentally influenced. It is possible that both sides are correct to some extent. Horses that exhibit non-stereotypical weaving do not necessarily begin after watching another horse weaving (stereotypical or non-stereotypical), suggesting that horses can begin weaving without learning it from another horse. Some people claim that it is usually safe to allow other horses to see a weaver, unless it is known that the horse may be genetically predisposed (their sire or dam was a weaver). Others feel it is caused by environmental factors, and that other horses in the same setting will pick up the behavior once a single horse starts. However, this may be due to all horses experiencing similar stresses, and thus engaging in similar behavior.

Weaving may also be caused by anticipation of predictable events such as feeding or turnout, as the behavior has been observed to increase prior to these events. "Weaving is generally not a very damaging vice over short periods of time, but horses that are consistent weavers may show abnormal hoof wear, and stress on their joints (which can cause lameness). Damage to the stall floor may also occur. The overall value of a horse is not necessarily diminished by its weaving, but the underlying cause of stress or boredom that is causing the behavior should be investigated and rectified to ensure the horse's well-being."

Weaving is also linked to weight loss, uneven muscle development, and performance problems. Like most vices, weaving is a very difficult habit to break, and may not disappear even after the original problem has been resolved. However, there are several ways to manage a weaver and reduce its stress:


 * Allow a weaver to see other horses, even if he is stalled separately.
 * Provide a companion for the horse, if possible. Some options include goats, cats, or chickens.
 * Provide visual stimulation. In a stall, an open window often helps the situation.
 * Keep the horse occupied when stalled. For example, provide a good quality continuous hay or a toy.
 * Allow the horse to spend more time outside of its stall. This mimics a horses natural environment and should reduce stress levels.
 * Hanging a mirror in a stall often helps weaving, because the horse believes there is a nearby horse. This trick is often very effective, and recent studies in the UK have demonstrated that it can reduce weaving by 97% . Note that the mirror should be made from stainless steel to minimize safety concerns.
 * Feed a high quality, high fiber hay and/or grain to reduce feeding frustration. Consistent feeding times and quality is important, and try to find ways to increase eating time (hay nets).
 * Alter stall design if horse weaves over door. 'V'-shaped anti-weaving bars prevent weaving. This method is strictly a prevention, and may actually increase the horses frustration.
 * Increasing horses exercise, especially if it has limited turnout time during the day.