STEREOTYPIC BEHAVIOR IN THE HORSE - GENER AL-ASPECTS AND THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES

Stereotypic behaviour patterns represent some of the most important eq uine behavioural problems. Usually they result from mental or physical stress with inadequate housing and management conditions as well as g enetics as predisposing factors. There is evidence that changes in end ogenous opioid and serotonergic systems play a major role in the under lying pathophysiological mechanisms. Different therapeutic approaches such as improvement of housing conditions, pharmacotherapy, and sympto matic measures are discussed.