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Author Knubben, J.M.; Fürst, A.; Gygax, L.; Stauffacher, M. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Bite and kick injuries in horses: Prevalence, risk factors and prevention Type Journal Article
  Year 2008 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 40 Issue 3 Pages 219-223  
  Keywords horse; kick; bite; injury; risk factors  
  Abstract (up) Reasons for performing study: Studies on the prevalence and predisposing factors of bite and kick injuries in horses have not been reported in a population-based data sample. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of bite and kick injuries in horses and associated risk factors in a representative sample of horses in Switzerland. Methods: A questionnaire on the incidence of disease and injury, which included the frequency of bite and kick injuries and their association with breed, housing, use and feeding regime, was sent to 2559 horse owners randomly selected throughout Switzerland. Results: The data of 2912 horses with 897 disorders diagnosed by a veterinarian were analysed. There were 231 injuries, 50 (21.6%) caused by a bite or kick from another horse; this number corresponded to 5.6% of all diseases and injuries and concerned only 1.7% of all the horses evaluated. Warmblood, Thoroughbred and Arabian horses had a 4.3 times higher risk of bite or kick injuries than horses of other breeds. Eighteen per cent of injuries were associated with a change in housing management and occurred regardless of whether horses were kept in groups permanently or sporadically. Conclusions and potential relevance: A stable group hierarchy and a housing system that provides adequate space and is adapted to horse-specific behaviour are important factors in prevention and kick and bite injuries.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Blackwell Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2042-3306 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5760  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Hartmann, E.; Søndergaard, E.; Keeling, L.J. doi  openurl
  Title Identifying potential risk situations for humans when removing horses from groups Type Journal Article
  Year 2012 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.  
  Volume 136 Issue 1 Pages 37-43  
  Keywords Equine; Group; Human; Handling; Injury  
  Abstract (up) Removing a horse from its social group may be considered risky, both for the handler and the horse, because other horses can interfere in the catching process. The main aim of this study was to identify where and when these risk situations occur while removing a horse from its group. A potential risk situation was defined by the closeness of loose horses in the group or by any physical contact with them. Whether the number of horses following would be influenced by the social rank of the horse being led out, and whether more horses would follow to the gate when a larger proportion of the group was removed compared to when a single horse was taken out were also investigated. Thirty-two mares (1–2 years) were kept in groups of four. All horses were taken out of their home paddock twice alone (64 tests) and twice with a companion (32 tests). One handler (or two handlers when two horses were removed) was asked to approach (phase 1) and catch the target horse (phase 2), walk it to the centre of the paddock and remain stationary at a post for 30 s (phase 3), walk to the paddock entrance (phase 4) and through the gate (phase 5). The number of horses following, and the number of loose horses in proximity (<2 m, 2–5 m) to the target horse and handler was estimated, and horse–horse and horse–human interactions were recorded continuously for the five scoring phases. Significantly more loose horses were within 2 m of a single target horse during the phases approach (mean ± SD: 1.5 ± 0.8), catch (1.6 ± 0.9) and post (1.7 ± 0.7) than during walk (1.0 ± 0.5) and gate (1.1 ± 0.6). Rank did not influence the number of horses following to the gate (high rank: 2.4 ± 0.7; lower rank: 2.0 ± 1.0; P = 0.396) and interactions between horses were rare. A greater proportion of the loose horses followed when two horses (0.9 ± 0.2) were removed compared to when a single horse (0.7 ± 0.3) was taken out (P = 0.011). In conclusion, maintaining a distance to other horses in the group by reducing the time being relatively stationary, so giving loose horses fewer chances to approach, is likely to contribute to improved handler's safety. Removing a small proportion of the group may also decrease the probability of the other horses following.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0168-1591 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5491  
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Author Flauger, B.; Krueger, K. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Aggressionslevel und Platzangebot bei Pferden (Equus caballus) [ Aggression level and enclosure size in horses (Equus caballus)] Type Journal Article
  Year 2013 Publication Pferdeheilkunde Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 29 Issue 4 Pages 495-504  
  Keywords Aggression / Verletzungsgefahr / Sozialverhalten / Gruppenhaltung / Pferdehaltung / Eingliederung von Pferden [aggression / injury risk / social behaviour / group housing / horse management / introduction of horses]  
  Abstract (up) Viele Pferdebesitzer bevorzugen aus Angst vor aggressiven Interaktionen und Verletzungsgefahr der Tiere untereinander die Einzelhaltung, obwohl von Tierschutzorganisationen die Gruppenhaltung für Pferde empfohlen wird. In dieser Studie beobachteten wir während des alltäglichen Soziallebens als auch bei der Eingliederung von neuen Gruppenmitgliedern das Sozialverhalten, insbesondere das Aggressionsverhalten, von elf Gruppen domestizierter Pferde (Equus caballus) verschiedener Größe und Zusammensetzung. Während des alltäglichen Soziallebens hatten die Gruppe und der Paddock-Typ (Gras / kein Gras) keinen Einfluss auf die Verhaltensweisen, wohingegen die Paddockgröße unter 10000 m2 einen signifikanten Einfluss auf die submissiven Verhaltensweisen (GzLM; n=56; t=-2.061, P=0.044) und einen nicht signifikanten Einfluss auf die aggressiven Verhaltensweisen (GzLM; n=56; t=-1.782, P=0.081) hatte. Allerdings verringerten sich sowohl die aggressiven als auch die submissiven Verhaltensweisen mit steigendem Platzangebot bis zu 10000 m2 (Spearman rank Korrelation; n=56; aggressive Verhaltensweisen: r = -0.313, P = 0.019; submissive Verhaltensweisen: r = -0.328, P = 0.014). Während den Eingliederungen reduzierten sich die Aggressionen pro Stunde mit der Vergrößerung des Platzangebotes (Spearman rank Korrelation; n=28; r=-0.402, P=0.034). Dies zeigte sich noch deutlicher, wenn Beobachtungen mit einem Platzangebot von über 10000 m2 ausgeschlos- sen wurden (Spearman rank Korrelation; n=23; r=-0.549, P=0.007). Während des alltäglichen Soziallebens näherte sich der Aggressionslevel der Nulllinie an, wenn das Platzangebot pro Pferd mehr als 331 m2 betrug. Deshalb empfehlen wir zur Reduzierung des Aggressionslevels und des Verletzungsrisikos von sozial gehaltenen Pferdegruppen ein Platzangebot von mindestens 331 m2 pro Pferd.

[Even though animal welfare organisations propose group housing for horse welfare, many owners stable horses individually for fear of aggressive interactions and injury risks. In the present study we observed social behaviour, and especially aggressiveness, in eleven domestic horse groups (Equus caballus) of different size and composition, in basic social situations and when new group members were introduced. During basic social situations, the group and the type of paddock (grass / no grass) had no effect on any of the behaviours, where- as the enclosure size below 10,000 m2 had a significant effect on submissive behaviour (GzLM; n=56; t=-2.061, P=0.044) and an insignificant effect on aggressive behaviour (GzLM; n=56; t=-1.782, P=0.081). However, aggressive and submissive behaviour dimi- nished with the increase of enclosure sizes up to 10,000 m2 (Spearman rank correlation; n = 56; aggressive behaviour: r = -0.313, P=0.019; submissive behaviour: r=-0.328, P=0.014). During introductions, aggression levels per hour decreased with any increase of enclosure size (Spearman rank correlation; n=28; r=-0.402, P=0.034) and even more when enclosure sizes above 10,000 m2 were excluded (Spearman rank correlation; n=23; r=-0.549, P=0.007). During basic social situations the aggression level approached zero when the space allowance was more than 331 m2 per horse. We therefore recommend keeping horse groups in an enclosure with at least 331 m2 per horse to reduce aggression and injuries.]
 
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5714  
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Author Zeitler-Feicht, M. H.; Streit, S.; Dempfle, L. openurl 
  Title Automatic feeding systems for horses in group housing systems with regard to animal welfare. Part 2: Comparison of different automatic feeding systems Type Journal Article
  Year 2011 Publication Tierärztliche Praxis Großtiere Abbreviated Journal Tierärztl Prax  
  Volume 39 Issue G Pages 33-40  
  Keywords Pferd, Fütterungssystem, Bauvarianten, soziale Interaktionen, Besuchshäufigkeit, Aufenthaltsdauer, Herzfrequenz, Verletzungsrisiko [Horse, feeding system, different types of construction, social interactions, visiting frequency, duration of stay, heart rate, risk of injury]  
  Abstract (up) Ziel: Überprüfung der Tiergerechtheit von in der Bauweise unterschiedlichen

Futterabrufstationen für Pferde in Gruppenhaltung anhand ethologischer

und physiologischer Parameter. Material und Methoden: In 32

Offenlaufställen (452 Pferde) mit computergesteuerten Abrufstationen

für Kraftfutter und Heu erfolgten kontinuierliche Direktbeobachtungen

für je einen 24-Stunden-Tag (Tortenstückverfahren). Erfasst wurden: Aufenthaltsdauer,

Besuchshäufigkeit, Droh- und Meideverhalten im Fütterungsbereich,

Blockaden sowie Herzfrequenz und Integumentverletzungen.

Ergebnisse: Eine Durchlaufstation reduzierte die Zahl der Auseinandersetzungen

im Fütterungsbereich signifikant. Ansonsten erhöhten die

für das fressende Pferd tiergerechten Varianten (Fressstand mit Eingangssperre,

ohne Austreibehilfe) Besuchshäufigkeit und Aufenthaltsdauer und

steigerten somit auch die Anzahl an Drohgesten je Tier und Tag. Insgesamt

betrachtet kann jedoch die Anzahl an sozionegativen Interaktionen

im Fütterungsbereich der Abrufstationen als relativ gering eingestuft

werden. Die Herzfrequenz lag im Warteareal bei den meisten Pferden im

physiologischen Bereich (45,1 ± 12,42 Schläge/min), erhöhte sich jedoch

in der Abrufstation um ca. 20 Schläge/min. Einige Tiere zeigten möglicherweise

stressbedingt kurzfristig auffallend hohe Werte (&#8805; 100 Schläge/

min). Integumentverletzungen im Zusammenhang mit dem Fütterungssystem

traten nicht auf. Der wichtigste Einflussfaktor auf die Untersuchungskriterien

war der Betrieb (Fläche, Konzeption, Management).

Schlussfolgerung: Durchlaufstationen sind pferdegerechter als Rücklaufstationen.

Nicht tiergerecht sind Stationen mit stromführender Austreibehilfe.

Weitere bauliche Unterschiede der derzeitigen Futterabrufstationen

dürften eher von untergeordneter Bedeutung sein, vor allem da

Flächengebot und Konzeption der Offenstallanlage sowie das Management

die überprüften Kriterien zur Tiergerechtheit maßgeblich beeinflussen.

Untersuchungen zur Abklärung der Ursache für die vereinzelt aufgetretenen

sehr hohen Herzfrequenzwerte sollten durchgeführt werden.

Objective: Comparison with regard to animal welfare of different automatic

feeding systems for hay and concentrate in group housing systems

for horses using parameters of ethology and physiology. Material and

methods: Parameters of research comprised: duration of stay, frequency

of visit, threatening behaviour with and without risk of injury, and avoiding

behaviour as well as heart rate and injuries of the integument. 452

horses were observed at the feeding area of 32 run-out-sheds. Every group

of horses was continuously observed following the pie chart system for

24 hours. Results: The “walk-through” station significantly reduced the

number of conflicts in the feeding area, whereas those systems which are

appropriate for the feeding horses (feeding station with access barrier and

without stimulation device by electric shock) led to a higher frequency of

visits and a longer duration of stay resulting in more threatening gestures.

However, the number of negative interactions in the feeding area of the

feeding systems can all together be classified as relatively insignificant.

The heart rate was within the physiological range (45.1 ± 12.42 beats/min)

in the waiting area, but increased by approximately 20 beats/min on average

within the feeding station. Some horses showed a very high heart rate

(&#8805; 100 beats/min) while entering the feeding station, possibly stress-related.

There were no injuries of the integument associated with the feeding

systems. The most important factor of the observation criteria was the

individual group housing system with its different dimensions, conception

and management. Conclusion: “Walk-through” stations are better than

”walk-back” stations with regard to animal welfare. Likewise, automatic

feeding stations with a current-carrying stimulation device are not supportive

of good welfare. The other differences between the constructions

of feeding stations of present systems are probably of less importance, particularly

as it was shown that the stable (management, stable area, conception)

had a significant influence on the surveyed parameters. Investigations

to obtain information on the cause for the sporadic occurrence of

very high heart rate values should be undertaken.]
 
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5766  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Gehlen, H.; Große, V.; Doher, M. doi  openurl
  Title Möglichkeiten und Grenzen des Herdenschutzes für Pferde in Zusammenhang mit der wachsenden Wolfspopulation in Deutschland Literaturrecherche und Befragung von Pferdehaltern zur Gefährdungsbeurteilung [Options and limitations of protecting horse husbandries in times of growing wolf populations in Germany Review of the literature and horse owner questionnaire on risk assessment] Type Journal Article
  Year 2012 Publication Tierärztliche Praxis Großtier/Nutztier Ausgabe G Abbreviated Journal Tierarztl Prax Ausg G  
  Volume 49 Issue 05 Pages 301-309  
  Keywords Wolfsrisse – Bedrohung – Weidehaltung – Pferdehaltung – Verletzungen; Wolf kill – threat – pasture management – horse husbandry – injury  
  Abstract (up) Zusammenfassung

Gegenstand und Ziel Seit 2000 siedelt sich der Wolf in Deutschland wieder an. Mit steigenden Wolfszahlen nehmen die durch Wölfe verursachten Nutztierschäden zu, wobei auch Pferde betroffen sind. Ziel der Studie war es, einen Überblick zu dieser Problematik sowie Lösungsansätze zu geben.

Material und Methoden Anhand einer Literaturrecherche wurden Daten zur Wolfspopulation in Deutschland, wolfsbedingten Schäden sowie Möglichkeiten und Grenzen des Herdenschutzes beim Pferd eruiert. Eine Online-Befragung von Pferdehaltern/-besitzern diente dazu, die tatsächliche und/oder gefühlte Bedrohung durch Wölfe und die daraus resultierenden Auswirkungen auf die Pferdehaltung zu ermitteln.

Ergebnisse Die Literaturrecherche zeigte ein kontinuierliches Anwachsen der Wolfspopulation in den letzten Jahren und insbesondere seit 2016 einen deutlichen Anstieg wolfsverursachter Nutztierschäden, wobei Pferde selten betroffen waren. Bei der Online-Befragung stammte die Hälfte der 574 ausgewerteten Fragebögen aus Brandenburg und Niedersachsen. Den größten Einfluss auf die Gefährdungsbeurteilung eigener Pferde durch die wachsende Wolfspopulation hatte das Wissen der Pferdehalter über Wolfsangriffe im eigenen Landkreis, wobei insbesondere die Aspekte einer Haltung von Jungpferden und Weidegang für die Pferde eine Rolle spielten. 64 % der Befragten gaben an, ihre Pferdehaltung trotz der zunehmenden Wolfspopulation nicht geändert zu haben. Nur 8 von 576 Pferdehaltern gaben amtlich bestätigte Wolfsübergriffe an und 30 hatten einen vermuteten Wolfsschaden amtlichen Stellen nicht gemeldet. Mehr als die Hälfte der Befragten, die Kontakt zu einem Wolfsberater hatten, bezeichneten die Zusammenarbeit als nicht bis wenig zielführend.

Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz Die Zahl amtlich bestätigter Wolfsangriffe auf Pferde ist gering. Durch einen grundsätzlich durchgeführten Gentest bei entsprechendem Verdacht ließen sich diese Zahlen objektivieren. Trotz des Bewusstseins einer zunehmenden Gefährdung von Pferden durch Wölfe unternehmen Pferdehalter überwiegend keine prophylaktischen Schutzmaßnahmen. Die Kommunikation zwischen den für das Wolfsmonitoring zuständigen Behörden und den Pferdehaltern erscheint verbesserungswürdig.

Abstract

Objective Since 2000 the wolf population is reestablishing itself in Germany. In consequence to increasing numbers, livestock damage caused by wolves is on the rise, with horses likewise being affected. The aim of the study was to provide an overview of this challenge and its possible solutions.

Material and methods Based on a literature research, data on the wolf population in Germany, wolf-related damage as well as possibilities and limitations of herd protection for horses were evaluated. An online survey addressed to horse owners/keepers served to determine the actual and/or perceived threat posed by wolves and the resulting effects on horse husbandry.

Results The literature search showed a continuous increase of the wolf population in recent years as well as a significant increase of wolf-caused livestock damage in general especially since 2016; although horses were rarely affected. Half of the 574 evaluated questionnaires were from Brandenburg and Lower Saxony. The greatest influence on the individual risk assessment concerning their own horses by the growing wolf population was the horse owners&#65533; knowledge of wolf attacks in their own county. Especially the aspects of keeping young horses as well as pasture keeping played a significant role. 64 % of respondents indicated that they had not changed their horse management practices despite the increasing wolf population. Only 8 of 576 horse owners had reported officially confirmed wolf attacks and 30 respondents had not reported a suspected wolf damage to official agencies. More than half of the respondents who had contact with a wolf advisor described the cooperation as either not or only slightly purposeful.

Conclusion and clinical relevance The number of officially confirmed wolf attacks on horses is low. These numbers could be objectified by a routinely performed genetic test in case of corresponding suspicion. Despite the awareness of an increasing danger of horses by wolves, horse owners mostly do not undertake prophylactic protection measures. The communication between responsible authorities for wolf monitoring and horse owners seems to be in need of improvement.
 
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
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  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6673  
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