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Burger, D.; Baumgartner, M.; Schauer, S. N.; Wägeli, S.; Aurich, C.; Gerber, V. |
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Title |
Influence of the recipient mare on character traits of adult offspring in a Warmblood embryo transfer program – preliminary results |
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Year |
2008 |
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IESM 2008 |
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Abstract |
The influence of recipient mares in commercial embryo transfer (ET) programs
on behavior of the ET foals is a matter of great interest and controversial discussion.
Presently, no interdisciplinary ethological and reproductive studies on this topic exist.
However, empirical experience suggests that behavioral traits of the recipient mare do not
influence those of the foal, thus implying a predominantly genetic origin of a horse“s basic
character. Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of recipient
mares on behavioural traits of their ET products.
Materials and Methods: Based on records of the embryo transfer program in Warmblood
horses since 1990 at the Swiss National Stud, questionnaires concerning behavior,
stereotypies and mother-foal-relationship were designed and completed by telephone
interview: 18 scientifically assessed questions provided the basis for a linear description
(Equine Personality Assessment Questionnaire, Lloyd et al., 2007). They were grouped in a)
emotivity, b) social motivation, c) general level of activity, d) stress behavior, e) learning
capacity and f) reactions towards humans. Questionnaires were designed for the owners of the
ET offspring (minimum of three years of age), the sires, donor mares and the recipient mares.
Out of 200 questionnaires, 25 complete ET families have emerged so far and were analysed.
All genetic parents were Warmblood horses, as were 23 of the recipient mares, the other two
were Franches-Montagnes horses.
Results: Comparing the mean values of the four groups (genetic dam and sire, recipient mare
and ET product), significant differences were found for the parameters emotivity (sires lower,
p<0.001), learning behaviour (recipient mares lower, p<0.05) and activity (recipient mares
lower, p<0.05). With only one exception, the multiple variable regression analysis found no
significant influence of the recipient mare on the ET product. The only significant effect
observed, was that of the social motivation of the recipient mare on the learning capacity of
the ET offspring (r2= -0.421, p<0.05). In contrast, numerous significant effects of behavioural
traits of the genetic dams and sires on their ET offspring (10 and 8, respectively) were
observed.
Conclusions: These preliminary results confirm field observations that the influence of the
recipient mare does not play an important role in character development of the ET offspring.
However, the investigated parameters indicate that the behavioural traits of the genetic parents
appear to have a strong influence on the offspring”s behaviour.. This study model promises
new achievements in the evaluation of genetic and environmental effects on the behavior of a
horse.
References
Lloyd, AS, Martin, JE, Bornett-Gauci, HLI, Wilkinson, RG (2007). Evaluation of a novel
method of horse personality asses |
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Baumgartner, M. |
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IESM 2008 |
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Notes |
Talk 15 min IESM 2008 |
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yes |
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Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4485 |
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Author |
Schmidt, A.; Möstl, E.; Neuhauser, S.; Aurich, J.; Müller, J.; Aurich, C. |
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Title |
Changes in heart rate and cortisol release during initial training of three-year-old warmblood sport horse stallions |
Type |
Conference Article |
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Year |
2008 |
Publication |
IESM 2008 |
Abbreviated Journal |
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The first weeks of training in young sport horses have been suggested to represent a stressful period and training practises for horses have been questioned recently. So far, only limited data on the stress response of young horses to the initial training are available. Heart rate (HR) provides information on fitness of the horse but is also an indicator of stress or pain. Determination of cortisol metabolites in faeces is a non-invasive technique to determine a prolonged stress response. In our study, three-year-old warmblood sport horse stallions (n=8) were followed through a standardised 10-week classical training programme from lunging to first mounting of a rider and progressing to moderate work. Feed, housing and management were similar for all horses. HR was recorded with a mobile recording System (f810i, Polar, Kempele, Finland) fixed to a girth around the thorax of the horse and was monitored twice weekly from 30 min before to 30 min after training, i.e. including the training period. In addition, cortisol concentrations were determined in faecal samples collected three times daily. Overall basal HR before daily training was 39±2 (SEM) beats/min and mean values did not change significantly over the 10-week study period. Average HR during initial lunging (week 1) was 119±14 beats min and decreased to 95±5 beats/min in week 2. Due to individual variations this decrease did not reach statistical significance. Neither first mounting of a rider (89±10 beats/min) nor an increasing workload (e.g. week 8: 111±4 beats/min) were associated with prolonged increases in mean HR, but transient increases were recorded and the response to mounting of the rider differed markedly between stallions. After daily training, HR decreased rapidly but was slightly, although significantly (p<0.05, Friedman-test) higher than pre-work values (46±2 beats/min). Cortisol metabolite concentrations in faeces tended to decrease during the period of lunging, were not increased when the horses were first mounted by a rider but rose slightly with an increasing work load during the last 4 weeks of the 10-week training period. In conclusion, based on HR and faecal cortisol metabolite concentrations, the initial training of sport horse stallions in the classical German training system is not associated with major stress for the horse. The increase in HR during training is due to physical exercise itself and not associated with specific situations of the training programme.
Supported by a fellowship from Stiftung Forschung für das Pferd to AS |
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Address |
Graf Lehndorff Institute, Brandenburg State Stud, 16845 Neustadt (Dosse), Germany; University of Veterinary Science, 1210 Vienna, Austria |
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Corporate Author |
Schmidt, A. |
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Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
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ISBN |
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Medium |
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Area |
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Expedition |
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Conference |
IESM 2008 |
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Notes |
Talk 15 min IESM 2008 |
Approved |
yes |
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Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4499 |
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| Permanent link to this record |
