Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether sex, age and/or coat colour were associated with the occurrence of stereotypic behaviour in the horse and to assess whether the occurrence of one type of stereotypy in an individual was associated with the occurrence of another specific type of stereotypy. The incidence of stereotypic boxwalking, weaving (both locomotor stereotypies) and oral stereotypy in 4061 Thoroughbred horses passing through five bloodstock auctions were recorded from sale declarations and information on returns. An overall prevalence of 5.1% was recorded, and varied with sex (P<0.001) and age (P<0.001) but not coat colour (P=0.495). Prevalence was higher in females, geldings, and 2-year-olds. Examination of the assumption that stereotypies are acquired independently suggested a higher than expected prevalence of animals with more than one stereotypy. The interaction was not the same for all forms of stereotypy recorded. The effect was greatest between boxwalking and weaving, (odds ratio 13.6) whilst combinations involving oral and locomotor stereotypies had lower odds ratios (between 2.9 and 4.9).

Abstract: The objective of this study is to estimate several genetic parameters in the Dutch Warmblood riding horse population. The traits involved are performances in jumping and dressage competition. The following parameters are estimated: heritabilities for jumping and dressage; phenotypic and genetic correlations between jumping and dressage; and phenotypic and genetic correlations between performances at different ages. These parameters are estimated by restricted maximum likelihood (REML). Data are from 6899 horses with performances in jumping and 10 408 horses with performances in dressage competition. The horses are sired by 205 and 237 stallions for the two traits, respectively. The progeny range in age from 4 to 8 years old. The performance trait is a cumulatively derived score, that reflects the level of performance in competition. A square root transformation of the score is most appropriate to normalize the data. For estimation of phenotypic and genetic parameters the data is split into two data sets according to the age of the sires (offspring sired by older vs. younger stallions). For estimating correlations between performances at 4, 5 and 6 years of age, performances of the offspring out of previous years are linked to the data. The most unbiased estimates of heritability for jumping and dressage are from data derived from the youngest offspring sired by the younger stallions and are 0.20 and 0.10, respectively. Genetic correlation between jumping and dressage ranges from -0.27 to 0.10. The phenotypic correlation between these traits ranges from 0.15 to 0.26. Phenotypic and genetic correlations between performances at 4, 5 and 6 years average 0.95 and 0.75, respectively. These latter results have important implications for genetic evaluation of breeding candidates in the population.

Abstract: The objective of the study was to analyze certain factors influencing the condition of free-ranging Konik Polski horses in a fenced area measuring 200 ha located in the Biebrza National Park (Biebrza NP). The Body Condition Scoring system (BCS) was used not only as means of assessment of health and fitness of the horses but also for evaluation of the quality and productivity of the grazing area selected for horses, as well as stocking rate. Body Condition Scoring was determine with a 9-point scale by averaging the scores that were assigned to each of the six body areas that are most responsive to changes of body fat (Hennecke, 1983). The condition of horses was assessed 7 times from February 2009 to December 2011 on a total of 59 horses (3 stallions (n= 12 observations), 21 females 3–8 year olds (n=81) and 35 youngsters (up to 2 year olds) (n=88). The number (from 1 to 3) and composition of family bands varied throughout the period of investigation. The horse population in the Biebrza NP consist of horses from 3 different breeding centers. The analysis of variance (GLM) was used to investigate the effects of the fixed factors – weather conditions, family band, breeder of the horses, age and sex, on the mean of BCS points of horses (SPSS, version 19.0). The most important factor influencing the condition of free-ranging Konik Polski horses in the Biebrza NP were weather conditions, what is shown by the data concerning temperature from 3-month period preceding condition scoring (P < 0.01). This factor influenced not only animals, but also vegetation characteristics. The highest BCS means of horses (5.09) were achieved when average temperature during the 3-month period preceding condition scoring amounted between +1 to +8°C, and was better than obtained when average temperature amounted +18°C (4.80). The last temperature seems too high for horses and can be connected also with other factors, like high incidence of insects which could deteriorate grazing activity of animals. The lowest BCS means (4.56) were obtained when mean temperature was below 0°C. Other factors had no significant effect on the BCS means. As concern to breeder, the highest BCS means achieved mares from Popielno (5.08) – the oldest Polish free-ranging population of Konik Polski horses, which confirms that horses from this breeding center are justly considered to be the toughest and well adapting to difficult environmental conditions. The horses from the Biebrza NP achieved also high BCS means (4.79) which prove that they were well suited to the specific conditions of this habitat, which is overgrown mostly with forest – 73,7%, and willow and birch shrubs – 13,3% of area. The grazing area measures about 40 hectares and consists of wetlands dominated by sedges (Carex sp.). The horses moved from the Seven Island Reservation to Biebrza NP achieved the poorest results as far as adaptation to the conditions of the new habitat, and reached the lowest BCS means (4.57). The youngest horses (up to 2 year olds), 3-5 year olds, and 6-8 year olds had similar BCS means (respectively 4.94, 4.83, 4.68) which indicates good acclimatization of horses from different age categories to the grazing resources in the Biebrza NP. The highest means achieved by youngest horses indicate important trait of Konik Polski horses – mare`s careful care of offspring. The BCS means of horses from different family groups show the highest value of horses from family group of the most experienced stallion – Mrok (4.97). In every BCS scoring, stallions achieved the highest means, which was the reason to exclude their results from analysis. The results of this study suggest that the Body Condition Scoring of horses in the Biebrza National Park depends primarily on the acclimatization of horses to harsh environmental conditions and less importantly to belonging to a specific breeder, family band, age or sex.

Abstract: The number of agonistic encounters in a group (frequency per h) and the mean distance to the nearest neighbor in a group (m) were analyzed by a multiple regression on the group size (number of animals in a group) and space allowance (m3 per animal) in each group of calves (6–13 months old, Holstein female and castrated male) and adult cattle (2–12 years old, Holstein heifers and cows or Holstein and Hereford grazing beef cattle). A total of 196 calves and 602 adult animals were used in this analysis. In calves, a significant correlation was found between agonistic behavior and space allowance (r=-0.48, P<0.01), but not between agonistic behavior and group sizes. The mean distance to the nearest neighbor in calf groups increased as the group size decreased and space allowance increased (R2=0.66, P<0.01). In adult cattle, the number of agonistic encounters increased linearly as the group size increased (r=+0.37, P<0.05). The relationship between agonistic behavior and 1(space allowance)2 was significant (r=+0.48, P<0.05). The mean distance to the nearest neighbor tended to increase as the group size decreased and the space allowance increased (R2=0.68, P<0.01). When the space allowance increased beyond 360 m2 per animal, the average distance to the nearest neighbor in the adult group was maintained within the range of 10–12 m.

Abstract: The Minnesota Zoological Garden established a bachelor (i.e. all-male) group of 8 Przewalski horses (Equus przewalskii) in 1984. Possible methods for mixing males emerged through preliminary introductions and review of the relevant literature. These included: (1) grouping colts (<=3 years old) after removing them from their natal bands; (2) introducing adult stallions to colts in spacious, controlled environments to reduce the risk of combat-related injury or death associated with largely unpredictable adult temperament; (3) introducing more than 1 animal at a time to established groups. Based on the frequency and orientation of agonistic interactions observed among the bachelors, a linear dominance hierarchy was discerned among the 4 adult stallions; all 4 colts were determined to be of equally low or seemingly non-ranking status. Social rank among the adults was most influenced by individual temperament, and contention for rank was limited almost exclusively to the 3 lower-ranking stallions; the alpha male participated in 73% of all agonistic interactions observed, but was identified as the recipient in less than 3% of these interactions. Intra-band associations were detected in the bachelor group. The most prevalent of these was among the 4 colts, found together in over 70% of the observations. Other affinities commonly observed were between the colts (as a sub-group) and different stallions. The dominant stallion, the colts' most frequent companion, actively discouraged the 3 lower-ranking stallions from associating with the colts. Further, the colts were subjected to significantly fewer agonistic behaviors than the non-alpha stallions (per colt=1.05+/-0.24 h-1; per non-alpha stallion=2.01+/-0.04 h-1). These findings support the hypothesis developed by other workers for ungulates that young bachelors are sheltered from aggression by association with an alpha male. With one exception, adult associations were rarely noted. Although combat-related injuries (superficial wounds and temporary lameness) were common among the bachelors, few required medical attention. No permanent disabilities or deaths have occurred since the group's inception. The existence of social organization and intra-band associations in the bachelor group support the suggestion that such groups were once a natural part of this species' social milieu. Bachelor groups are therefore recommended as an ethologically sound, space- and cost-effective means of managing “surplus” (i.e. non-harem) male Przewalski horses.