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Fureix, C.; Bourjade, M.; Henry, S.; Sankey, C.; Hausberger, M. |
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Title |
Exploring aggression regulation in managed groups of horses Equus caballus |
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Journal Article |
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2012 |
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Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
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Volume |
138 |
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3–4 |
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216-228 |
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Horses; Social behaviour; Aggression regulation; Coping in group; Management; Social development |
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Horses are highly social animals that have evolved to live in social groups. However, in modern husbandry systems, single housing prevails where horses experience social isolation, a challenge-to-welfare factor. One major reason for this single housing is the owners’ concerns that horses may injure each other during aggressive encounters. However, in natural conditions, serious injuries due to aggressive encounters are rare. What could therefore explain the claimed risks of group living for domestic horses? Basing our questioning on the current knowledge of the social life of horses in natural conditions, we review different practices that may lead to higher levels of aggression in horses and propose practical solutions. Observations of natural and feral horses mostly indicate a predominance of low frequencies and mild forms of aggression, based on subtle communication signals and ritualized displays and made possible by group stability (i.e. stable composition), dominance hierarchy and learning of appropriate social skills by young horses. Obviously, adults play a major role here in canalizing undesirable behaviours, and social experience during development, associated with a diversity of social partners, seems to be a prerequisite for the young horse to become socially skilled. Given the natural propensity of horses to have a regulation of aggression in groups, the tendency to display more aggression in groups of domestic horses under some management practices seems clearly related to the conditions offered. We therefore review the managing practices that could trigger aggressiveness in horses. Non social practices (space, resource availability) and social practices (group size, stability of membership, composition and opportunities for social experiences during development) in groups of domestic horses are discussed here. Finally, we propose simple practical solutions leading to more peaceful interactions in groups of domestic horses, based on the knowledge of horses’ natural social life which therefore should be enhanced (e.g. ensuring roughage availability, favouring group stability, introducing socially experienced adults in groups of young horses, etc.). The state of the art indicates that many questions still need to be answered. Given the importance of the associated welfare issues and the consequences on the use of horses, further research is required, which could benefit horses… and humans. |
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0168-1591 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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5648 |
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Falewee, C.; Gaultier, E.; Lafont, C.; Bougrat, L.; Pageat, P. |
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Title |
Effect of a synthetic equine maternal pheromone during a controlled fear-eliciting situation |
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Journal Article |
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Year |
2006 |
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Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
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101 |
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1-2 |
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144-153 |
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Horses; Behaviour; Fear; Pheromone; Heart rate; Performance |
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Horses are known to show fear reactions when confronted with novelty and this can be a considerable hindrance in the context of working situations such as riding, dressage or racing. The aim of the present study was to measure the potential effects of a synthetic analogue of the Equine Appeasing Pheromone on saddled horses when subjected to a stressful situation using a double-blinded, placebo controlled study design. A group of 40 horses was analyzed during this study and horses were divided by sex, breed and reactivity into two homogenized groups. The test, which consisted of walking the horse through a fringed curtain, was selected from a range of tests which are used to assess behaviour for the selection of French breeding stock. Horses that could have been subjected to the test on a previous occasion, and therefore be familiar with it, were not included. Behavioural and physiological parameters were both taken into account with measures of time to go through the curtain, fear related typical behavioural patterns, based on available literature detailed in the bibliography, and heart rate being recorded. Parameters were analyzed by means of Mann-Whitney U-test. Significant differences were noticed between the two groups concerning heart rate data during the test (UMeanHR = 100.5, pMeanHR = 0.02; UMaxHR = 75, pMaxHR = 0.001) and during the whole measured period (UMeanHR = 67, pMeanHR = 0.005; UMaxHR = 58, pMaxHR = 0.002). Observation of the animals also revealed less behavioural items characteristic of fear within the treated group. As a result, horses performed the test with a better time performance when they received the pheromone analogue (U = 62, p = 0.002). The main parameter, area under the HR graph, is based on heart rate measure and performance. Differences noticed (U = 74, p = 0.002) for this parameter lead to the conclusion that horses who received EAP underwent less stress related consequences in terms of their cardiac physiology. As horses are subjected to a number of foreseeable stressful events this study suggests that the use of Equine Appeasing Pheromone could be a significant factor in improving the welfare of this species. |
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3992 |
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Nicol, C. J. |
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Title |
Equine learning: progress and suggestions for future research |
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2002 |
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Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
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Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
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78 |
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2-4 |
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193-208 |
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Learning; Horse; Equine; Discrimination; Training |
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Horses are well able to form classical and instrumental associations and so the focus of much recent research has been on the stimulus control of instrumental learning. Horses appear to discriminate using spatial cues more easily than other stimulus features, as indicated both by the speed of initial task acquisition and by the extent to which acquired discriminations can be reversed. Phenomena associated with discrimination learning in laboratory animals, including generalisation and peak shift, have been demonstrated in horses. However, the ability of horses to classify stimuli into categories is more controversial. Although there is some evidence that horses may be able to form categories based on similarities in the physical appearance of different stimuli, there is currently no evidence that they are able to develop abstract concepts. Their performance on social learning tasks has also been poor. Few correlations are observed between the learning ability of individual horses on different tasks, suggesting that it may not be possible to classify individual horses as `good' or `poor' learners. Better learning performance by horses that are naturally calm is probably due to reduced interference in the learning process. Correct handling procedures can lower reactivity levels in horses, and may facilitate learning in some circumstances. Future research on equine learning needs to take into account the complex nature of equine social interaction. Studies on the effects of stress on learning, and on social and spatial cognition, are also particularly needed. |
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refbase @ user @ |
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405 |
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Christensen, J.W.; Rundgren, M. |
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Predator odour per se does not frighten domestic horses |
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2008 |
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Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
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Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
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112 |
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1-2 |
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136-145 |
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Horse; Predator odour; Behaviour; Heart rate; Fear |
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Horses frequently react nervously when passing animal production farms and other places with distinctive smells, leading riders to believe that horses are innately frightened by certain odours. In three experiments, we investigated how horses respond to (1) urine from wolves and lions, (2) blood from slaughtered conspecifics and fur-derived wolf odour, and (3) a sudden auditory stimulus in either presence or absence of fur-derived wolf odour. The experiments were carried out under standardised conditions using a total of 45 naive, 2-year-old horses. In the first two experiments we found that horses showed significant changes in behaviour (Experiments 1 and 2: increased sniffing; Experiment 2 only: increased vigilance, decreased eating, and more behavioural shifts), but no increase in heart rate compared to controls when exposed to predator odours and conspecific blood in a known test environment. However, the third experiment showed that exposure to a combination of wolf odour and a sudden stimulus (sound of a moving plastic bag) caused significantly increased heart rate responses and a tendency to a longer latency to resume feeding, compared to control horses exposed to the sudden stimulus without the wolf odour. The results indicate that predator odour per se does not frighten horses but it may cause an increased level of vigilance. The presence of predator odour may, however, cause an increased heart rate response if horses are presented to an additional fear-eliciting stimulus. This strategy may be adaptive in the wild where equids share habitats with their predators, and have to trade-off time and energy spent on anti-predation responses against time allocated to essential non-defensive activities. |
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Admin @ knut @ |
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4339 |
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Hampson, B. |
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The effect of a novel dynamic feeding system on horse behavior and movement |
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Conference Article |
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2012 |
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Proceedings of the 2. International Equine Science Meeting |
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Proc. 2. Int. Equine. Sci. Mtg |
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in press |
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Horses kept in small enclosures move very little in comparison to horses living in an unconfined environment. There are health consequences of this sedentary lifestyle. The use of GPS allows the accurate quantification of distance travelled by horses. Methods: Ten horses (5 pairs) were alternated between a control paddock and a research paddock, both measuring 20 x 30m. Grass hay was fed from a novel feeding system in the research paddock, while the same hay was fed from a standard hay feeder in the control paddock. In the research paddock access to hay was alternated at 5 min intervals between either side of a fence, forcing horses to walk around a walkway to access feed continuously. The interactive behavior of horses was observed and movement was monitored using GPS. Results: All 10 horses learnt to use the feeding system quickly. Dominance behavior in some horses was modified by competition for feed. On average, horses in the research paddock travelled 5.4 times more distance than in the control paddock. Conclusion: The dynamic feeding system was successful in encouraging horses to exercise in a small paddock. However, due to the exaggeration of dominance behavior in some horses, horses should be well matched if housed in pairs. This system may have application in the management of equine obesity and insulin resistance in horses. KW - |
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Hampson, B. |
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Xenophon Publishing |
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Wald |
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Krueger, K. |
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978-3-9808134-26 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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5527 |
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Rivera, E.; Benjamin, S.; Nielsen, B.; Shelle, J.; Zanella, A.J. |
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Behavioral and physiological responses of horses to initial training: the comparison between pastured versus stalled horses |
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2002 |
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Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
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78 |
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2-4 |
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235-252 |
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Horses; Housing; Training; Behavior; Stress; Cortisol; Welfare |
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Horses kept in stalls are deprived of opportunities for social interactions, and the performance of natural behaviors is limited. Inadequate environmental conditions may compromise behavioral development. Initial training is a complex process and it is likely that the responses of horses may be affected by housing conditions. Sixteen 2-year-old Arabian horses were kept on pasture (P) (n=8) or in individual stalls (S) (n=8). Twelve horses (six P and six S) were subjected to a standardized training procedure, carried out by two trainers in a round pen, and 4 horses (two P and two S) were introduced to the round pen but were not trained (C; control). On sample collection day 0, 7, 21 and 28, behavior observations were carried out, blood samples were drawn and heart rates were monitored. Total training time for the stalled horses was significantly higher than total time for the pastured horses (S: 26.4+/-1.5 min; P: 19.7+/-1.1; P=0.032). The stalled group required more time to habituate to the activities occurring from the start of training to mounting (S: 11.4+/-0.96; P: 7.3+/-0.75 min; P=0.007). Frequency of unwanted behavior was higher in the stalled horses (S: 8.0+/-2.0; P: 2.2+/-1.0; P=0.020). Pastured horses tended to have higher basal heart rates on day 0 (S: 74.7+/-4.8; P: 81.8+/-5.3 bpm; P=0.0771). While the physiological data failed to identify differences between housing groups, the behavioral data suggest that pasture-kept horses adapt more easily to training than stalled horses. |
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717 |
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Ermilina, J.A. |
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Title |
Dominance hierarchy in feral horses in Rostov Region |
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Conference Article |
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2012 |
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Proceedings of the 2. International Equine Science Meeting |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. 2. Int. Equine. Sci. Mtg |
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in press |
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feral horse, island population, dominance, hierarchy |
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Horses maintain the social structure through the establishment of dominant-subordinate hierarchical relationships, both within and between groups. The object of study was the feral horse population, living on the Vodnyi Isl, Manych-Ghudilo Lake, on the territory of Rostov Region, S Russia the State Nature Biosphere Reserve “Rostov”. The social structure of this population is represented by the harem and bachelor groups, and their variety – the “mixed”groups, the presence and composition of which is atypical for the populations of feral horses. The main objectives of this work were to identify the hierarchical structure of different types of social groups and the role of the stallions in them, defining the dominance rank of animals. The method of continuous logging occurred aggressive reaction, ritualized interaction between stallions, take into account the direction of interactions between individuals. We observed 5 harem, 3 bachelor and 3 mixed groups. Each group was studied for a total of 60 h (8 h per group per days).Behavioral observations were carried out in summer 2009-2011. Based on the number and direction of aggressive interactions the hierarchical coefficient was calculated for individual horses (Ivanov et al, 2007). Harem group consists of an adult stallion (<5 years old) and a few mares with their offspring. Our observations of harem groups confirm the previously known information about this type of social groups (Berger, 1986; Carson, Wood-Gush, 1983, Keiper, 1983). Hierarchical system between mares is close to linear with reversal. The stallion is not included in the hierarchy of the mares; he is the leader and serves to maintain the integrity of the group and inter-group hierarchy, and has reproductive function. Bachelor groups consist of stallions 2-3 years and older who do not have their own harem. It is known that dominance hierarchy in these groups is linear, young males or males who recently had joined the group have low ranks (Berger, 1977; Houpt, Keiper, 1982; Kirillov Paklina, 1990). In observed bachelor groups dominant stallion have a significantly higher rank in the hierarchy. However, among other stallions is not always observed strict linear hierarchy – some individuals have very similar ranks. Function of managing the group and maintaining the intergroup hierarchy can be distributed among the all stallions in the group. Mixed groups are composed of several mature stallions, one or more mares (sometimes with the offspring). In the study population in this type of social groups animals may be mature (age 5 and older) and semi-mature (2-5 years). The hierarchy of these atypical groups has not been studied. In the studied 3 mixed groups stallions have very similar hierarchical rank, dominant and subordinate stallions share a function of managing the group, participation in ritualized interactions. Our studies have revealed the plasticity of the hierarchical structure of groups of horses and the need to further investigate the distribution of social roles among stallions. |
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Ermilina, J.A. |
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Xenophon Publishing |
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Wald |
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Krueger, K.; |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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5580 |
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Stracke, J.; Berger, A. |
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Project on paternal effects to the cognitive and social development of the offspring on feral horses (Equus caballus) |
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Conference Article |
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2012 |
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Proceedings of the 2. International Equine Science Meeting |
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Proc. 2. Int. Equine. Sci. Mtg |
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in press |
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horse, paternal investment, socialization, cognitive behaviour |
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Horses provide an interesting animal model to test short- and long-term effects of the paternal influence on the offspring under natural conditions. As a highly social animal, horse naturally is living in long-term harem groups building strong familiar bonds. Arguing that the environment of a juvenile is highly important for the development of cognitive and social functions as well as for the emotional competence, a future study on domestic horses wants to highlight the paternal influence on the offspring as well as special effects of the stallion during the first two years of the foals´ life. Nowadays, in most husbandry systems it is still common to keep the stallions separated, raising the offspring in an intact harem group is very rare. The aim of this study is to describe the role of the stallion in the early development of the foal in an extensive pasture management system living in natural harem groups. Results are going to be compared to findings of studies on groups without the male present in the rearing phase. A precise behavioural analysis is planned; direct behavioural observations are going to be supported by long-term and continuously activity measures by special telemetry collar systems. Additional physiological measures should give evidence of the investment of the stallion. The young horses will be confronted with different tests of cognitive and social abilities (exploration behaviour, fear behaviour, play behaviour). The results of this study will contribute to fundamental research in the behaviour of the horse and might display an important step to animal welfare in modern horse husbandry. It will be possible to set a time-frame in which the male does have positive influence on the offspring and therefore should be kept with the family. A detailed knowledge of the influence of the male to cognitive and social abilities could as well be applicable in the training of horses and therefore be of great importance in equestrian sports. |
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Berger, A. |
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Xenophon Publishing |
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Wald |
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Krueger, K.; |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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5578 |
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Bello, T.R. |
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Practical treatment of body and open leg wounds of horses with bovine collagen, biosynthetic wound dressing and cyanoacrylate |
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Journal Article |
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2002 |
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Journal of Equine Veterinary Science |
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22 |
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4 |
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157-164 |
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Horses with severe and deep lacerations are represented by ten cases in which treatment emphasized the use of bovine collagen preparations to promote controlled second-degree repair. Traumatized areas were tarsal, metatarsal, neck, forearm, metacarpal and pastern. Wound size changes were recorded. Depending on the wound type, the site was treated with antibiotic-steroid ointment, organic acid cream, sterile collagen particles, suspension or dressings protected by hydrogel dressing, non-adherent pads, occlusive skin dressings, roll gauze and elastic tape. In three cases, a fiberglas cast was applied over a hind leg wound and lacerated tendon for stability. When controlled granulation of the deeper wounds reached skin level, the area often was stabilized by only cyanoacrylate spray. As these cases presented a wide range of trauma each with a unique history, healing rates were based on initial measurements. An overall progression of wound reduction occurred at a predictable rate. The exogenous collagen formulations were used to stimulate controlled granulation, ie. to “jump start” the healing process. Collagen particles, suspension or dressings were packed into depressions, placed under suture lines, secured over abraded tissue, and placed under protective bandage or cast. To further evaluate the use of cyanoacrylate tissue spray in wound treatments, an additional ten cases are presented. The variety of wounds were produced experimentally in Center-owned ponies or provided as clinical cases. Wound size changes and healing progress were recorded. Wounds occurred on the neck, abdomen, metacarpal, metatarsal, fetlock and pastern areas. Depending on wound type, the site was treated with cyanoacrylate only; or treated as above until controlled granulation attained skin level. In one case punch grafts of skin were transferred from one foreleg to the opposite with the horse standing. Cyanoacrylate spray provided a water proof barrier protecting the wound from dirt, debris and insects as well as stabilizing full-thickness skin lacerations by bridging normal to traumatized skin allowing uninterrupted granulation and epithelialization. The use of a neck cradle prevented wound disturbance and stall confinement aided stabilization. |
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Lesimple, C.; Reverchon-Billot, L.; Galloux, P.; Stomp, M.; Boichot, L.; Coste, C.; Henry, S.; Hausberger, M. |
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Free movement: A key for welfare improvement in sport horses? |
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Journal Article |
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2020 |
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Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
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Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
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225 |
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104972 |
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Horse; Housing; Free movement; Horse welfare; Stereotypic behaviour; Oxytocin |
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Horses, and in particular sport horses, remain housed predominantly in single stalls. One of the main reported reasons is the fear that they will become agitated and injure themselves and thereby impair their performance if released in paddocks. The hour spent daily at work is also assumed to be sufficient to satisfy the horses' needs for locomotion. Growing scientific evidence shows that single stall housing has negative consequences on horses' welfare and that time for free movement is necessary. Our aim was to assess the feasibility of allowing sport horses used to staying permanently in their stall (except for 1 h riding/day) daily free time in a paddock and to evaluate its potential impact on their welfare using two behavioural reliable indicators (stereotypic behaviours and ear position), as well as selected blood parameters (blood cell count, oxytocin and serotonin concentrations). Two experiments were conducted on the same site. The first experiment evaluated sport horses' habituation to the novel situation of daily sessions in a paddock, and recorded welfare indicators in their stall before and during the experiment, comparing horses that were taken outdoors (experimental) and those that stayed in their stall (control). The second experiment evaluated the impact of this daily free time in a paddock on horses' welfare and its durability, focusing on positive indicators. Behavioural observations in paddocks showed that even horses that had never experienced free movement outside their stall habituated rapidly to this situation. The presence of hay in the paddock, may have speeded up habituation. Their restricted living conditions were associated with abnormalities in blood cell count that were not overcome during the time of daily paddock sessions but behavioural indicators showed that their welfare improved. In the second study, the experimental horses' welfare improved during the paddock release period, in particular their stereotypic behaviours decreased and oxytocin levels increased. No effects on serotonin concentrations could be evidenced. These effects were directly associated with being in paddock, as the indicators returned rapidly to their previous levels indicating compromised welfare when the paddock release sessions stopped. In conclusion, it can be recommended to release sport horses for free movement in paddocks as welfare is improved and subjective assessment by caretakers indicated minimal risks. |
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0168-1591 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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6619 |
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