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Hillgruber, F., & Zipf, G. (2012). Humans and Horses 300.000 years ago – An approach to public presentation in the research and experience centre Schöningen spears. In K. Krueger (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2. International Equine Science Meeting (Vol. in press). Wald: Xenophon Publishing.
Abstract: We are introducing a new research and experience center located near the stripmine of Schöningen in western Germany, one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, which is scheduled to open its doors in 2013. The 1995 discovery of wooden hunting spears (Thieme 1997) in conjunction with the remains of hunted and butchered horses (Equus mosbachensis) contributed significantly to change the scientific view of early European Hominids being “marginal scavengers” (Binford 1981, Gamble 1987) to skilled hunters. The remains of at least 19 horses were unearthed along a former lakeshore. Initial publications demonstrate early hominid butchery systematics designed to achieve a thorough acquisition of horse products (Voormolen 2008). In order to get a better understanding of the possible hunting scenario (Thieme 2007) knowledge of wild horse behaviour is of primary interest. The exhibit section of the new center is developed to present an experience oriented concept. Access to artefacts, such as the over 300.000 year old spears, is correlated with exhibits concerning Pleistocene horse morphology, group structure and behaviour of modern day wild horses in order to draw a vivid image of the past
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Hinrichs, T. (2012). Group management in Active-Stables. In K. Krueger (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2. International Equine Science Meeting (Vol. in press). Wald: Xenophon Publishing.
Abstract: In active stabling the horses live in a group and are in constant social contact with their equine companions. Separate, dedicated areas define the concept. The key element of active stabling is the automatic feeding of hard feed, minerals and forage. This ensures the correct level of feeding and encourages the horses to increase their level of activity. The organisation of the dedicated areas in active stabling is dependent on a number of factors, such as the given facilities, the planned group sizes and the commercial and working aspects.
The ongoing acquisition of knowledge from science and research, practical experience from the horse industry, and the relevant national guidelines and conditions for keeping horses, form the basis for the planning of active stabling. For example, in Germany, an important contribution to the further development of the active stabling concept is coming from the current research by Dr Zeitler-Feicht and her team into automatic feeding systems and the arrangement of areas to lie down in the quiet space. Together they run around 500 active stabling facilities, and they made a significant contribution to the 2009 guidelines for horse husbandry in the animal protection regulations. At the ISEM 2012, practical examples of group management in active stabling will be presented. The aim of the participants is to achieve a continuing improvement in horse husbandry, combining the requirements of animal protection with the uses of the horses. |
Hinrichs, T. (2012). Gruppen Management in Aktiv Ställen. In K. Krueger (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2. International Equine Science Meeting (Vol. in press). Wald: Xenophon Publishing.
Abstract: In einem Aktivstall leben die Pferde in einer Gruppe und sind im ständigen Sozialkontakt mit ihren Artgenossen. Getrennte Funktionsbereiche kennzeichnen das Konzept. Das Kernstück eines Aktivstalles ist die automatisierte Fütterung für Kraft,- Mineral,- und Raufutter. Sie gewährleistet die bedarfsgerechte Fütterung und regt die Pferde zur vermehrten Bewegungsaktivität an. Die Gestaltung der Funktionsbereiche eines Aktivstalles hängt von mehreren Faktoren wie den örtlichen Gegebenheiten, geplanter Gruppengröße und -zusammensetzung sowie betriebs- und arbeitwirtschaftlichen Aspekten ab.
Die Grundlage für die Planung eines Aktivstall – Konzeptes sind die laufenden Erkenntnisgewinne aus Wissenschaft und Forschung, die praktischen Erfahrungen auf Pferdebetrieben sowie die länderspezifischen, offiziellen Richtlinien und Bestimmungen zur Pferdehaltung. So sind z. B. in Deutschland die aktuellen Untersuchungen zu den Themen automatisierte Fütterungssysteme und Liegeflächengestaltung im Ruheraum von Frau Dr. Zeitler – Feicht und ihrem Team, den ca. 500 Aktivstallbetrieben und den seit dem Jahr 2009 geltenden Leitlinien zur Pferdehaltung unter Tierschutzgesichtspunkten wesentliche Bestimmungsparameter für die Weiterentwicklung des Aktivstall – Konzeptes. Auf dem IESM 2012 wird den Teilnehmern das Gruppenmanagement in Aktivställen am Beispiel von Praxisbetrieben vorgestellt. Ziel ist es, eine kontinuierliche Verbesserung der Pferdehaltung im Sinne des Tierschutzes in Verbindung mit der Nutzung der Pferde zu erreichen. |
Hoffmann, G., Bentke, A., Rose-Meierhöfer, S., Berg, W., Mazetti, P., & Hardarson, G. H. (2012). Influence of an active stable system on the behavior and body condition of Icelandic horses. animal, 6(10), 1684–1693.
Abstract: Horses are often stabled in individual boxes, a method that does not meet their natural needs and may cause psychical and
musculoskeletal diseases. This problem is particularly evident in Iceland, where horses often spend the long winter periods in cramped boxes. The aim of this study was to analyze the suitability of a group housing system in Iceland, but the results are also applicable to horses of other regions. Eight Icelandic horses were observed in an active stable system, and their behavior and time budget were recorded. Movement and lying behavior were studied with ALT (Activity, Lying, Temperature detection) pedometers. The effect of an automatic concentrate feeding station (CFS) on the horses’ behavior was examined. In the first period of investigation, the horses were fed concentrates manually, and in the second period, they were fed with the CFS. Additional behavioral observations and a determination of social hierarchy occurred directly or by video surveillance. The physical condition of the horses was recorded by body weight (BW) measurement and body condition scoring (BCS). The results showed a significant increase between the first and second trial periods in both the activity (P,0.001) and the lying time (P50.003) of the horses with use of the CFS. However, there was no significant change in BW during the first period without the CFS (P50.884) or during the second period with the CFS (P50.540). The BCS of the horses was constant at a very good level during both trial periods, and the horses showed a low level of aggression, a firm social hierarchy and behavioral synchronization. This study concludes that group housing according to the active stable principle is a welfare-friendly option for keeping horses and is a suitable alternative to conventional individual boxes. |
Hori, Y., Takimoto, A., & Fujita, K. (2012). Are there breed difference in referential behavior in horses (Equus caballus)? In K. Krueger (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2. International Equine Science Meeting (Vol. in press). Wald: Xenophon Publishing.
Abstract: Domesticated animals are characterized by variability of breeds. There is a great diversity in body size and/or coat color between different breeds. However, there are few scientific researches about difference in cognition and behavior between breeds. Comparison of behavior between breeds may be useful for the study of genetics behind the diversity of cognition and behavior. In the present study, we investigated behavioral differences between horse breeds. We tested two different breeds which have different histories, thoroughbreds and creoles. Thoroughbreds are racing horses which have been exposed to strict selection toward racing performance for about 300 years. Creoles are descendents of horses which were brought to South America by Spanish people in 15th century and used by native cowboys for riding. We compared the behavior in a difficult situation by using an “unsolvable task”. The experimenter put a food reward into a transparent box and closed it firmly so that horses could not take the reward. We compared the referential behavior (gazing behavior toward the experimenter) between thoroughbreds and creoles. We analyzed referential behavior by using generalized linear models (GLM) and model selection by Akaike’s information criterion (AIC). There were no effect of breed in the frequency and the duration of the referential behavior. But the latency before looking at the experimenter tended to be shorter in thoroughbreds than in creoles. This result suggests that there may be breed differences in horses’ social cognition and behavior. However, the effect of sex was also seen. Furthermore, we could not exclude the environmental effect (e. g. feeding environments, trainings) in this study. So we cannot explain the variation in referential behavior by breed effect only. We need to replicate the result by controlling environmental effects.
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Houpt, K. A. (2012). Horse husbandry and equine stereotypies. In K. Krueger (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2. International Equine Science Meeting (Vol. in press). Wald: Xenophon Publishing.
Abstract: Abstract KW -
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Kaminski, G., Gentaz, E., & Mazens, K. (2012). Development of children’s ability to detect kinship through facial resemblance. Anim. Cogn., 15(3), 421–427.
Abstract: Facial features appear to be a prominent kinship cue for ascribing relatedness among human individuals. Although there is evidence that adults can detect kinship in unrelated and unfamiliar individual’s faces, it remains to be seen whether people already possess the ability when they are young. To further understand the development of this skill, we explored children’s ability to detect parent-offspring resemblance in unrelated and unfamiliar faces. To this end, we tested approximately 140 children, aged 5–11, in two photo-matching tasks. We used a procedure that asked them to match one neonate’s face to one of three adults’ faces (Task 1), or to match one adult’s face to one of three neonate’s faces (Task 2). Our findings reveal asymmetrical performance, depending on the tasks assigned (performance of Task 2 is stronger than for Task 1), and on the sex of individuals who made up the parent-offspring pair (male parents are better matched with neonates than female parents, and boys are better matched than girls). The picture that emerges from our study is, on one hand, that the ability to detect kinship is already present at the age of five but continues to improve as one gets older, and on the other, that perception of parent-offspring facial resemblance varies according to the appraisers’ characteristics.
Keywords: Biomedizin & Life Sciences
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Kampmann, S.: A., Hampson, B.A., & Pollitt, C. C. (2012). Population dynamics of Australian feral horses in a semiarid environment. In K. Krueger (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2. International Equine Science Meeting (Vol. in press). Wald: Xenophon Publishing.
Abstract: Introduction: The feral horse population of Australia is the largest in the world and, in average seasons, increases at a rate of approximately 20% per annum. Recent record rainfall in much of semi-arid Central Australia has led to a population increase in excess of normal rates and this project aimed to document the increase. Uncontrolled feral horse numbers have habitat degradation and horse welfare implications and were the reasons for performing the study. Materials and Methods: The study area was an unmanaged 4,000km2 semi-arid area in Central Australia (Lat 24.50, Long 132.10). The population of feral horses within the study area is estimated to be in excess of 10,000. During an 8 week period at the end of the winter season of 2011, horses were identified by ground searches, movement sensored cameras and from hides positioned at key water holes. The area surveyed represented only a small percentage of the overall habitat. Horses were identified by descriptive features and markings. Where possible, sex and age category were documented. Population growth rate was estimated from the observed sample and was expressed as the number of foals born in the current year, divided by the number of horses older than one year. Results: A total of 1,486 horses were identified and categorised, of which 335 were foals born within the current foaling season. Only 129 juveniles, presumably born in the preceding year, were identified. Of the adult horses, 54% were male and 46% were female. Seventy-four percent of mares (n=452) had a foal at foot and the population growth rate was 29%. Conclusion: With a sustained population growth rate of 29%, this population of feral horses will more than double within 3 years. The high rate of increase is concerning because it will negatively impact on the native fauna and flora and fragile semi-arid ecosystems of Central Australia. In addition the feral horses of the study area have experienced an unusual period of high rainfall and plentiful grazing but a return to normal drought conditions is imminent. Starvation, thirst and death from diminished resources will then be a serious welfare concern for horses. KW -
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Klingel, H.. (2012). Social Organisation and Social Behaviour of the Equids. In K. Krueger (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2. International Equine Science Meeting (Vol. in press). Wald: Xenophon Publishing.
Abstract: In contrast to the great similarity in behaviour and ecology of the 6 extant Equid species, 2 distinct types of social organisation have evolved, and both are adapted to life in semi-arid to arid regions where environmental conditions force them to migrate seasonally or opportunistically.
The ranges of the various species overlap: Mountain Zebra Equus zebra and Plains Zebra E. quagga in South Africa and Namibia, Plains Zebra and Grevy's Zebra E. grevyi in Kenya and Ethiopia, Grevy's Zebra and African Wild Ass E. africanus in Ethiopia, Asiatic Wild Ass E. hemionus and Przewalski Horse E. przewalski in Mongolia and China. Although, in the overlap zones, individuals of the different species are using the same resources like water and grazing next to each other, they rarely make closer contacts. . In the type 1 species, Horse, Plains Zebra and Mountain Zebra, the adults live in non-territorial, stable, one-male families and as single bachelors and in bachelor groups. Family stallions have the exclusive mating rights with the mares in their harems. These consist of up to 6 unrelated mares plus their offspring, totalling up to 20 members. Mares stay in their harem until death. Stallions' tenure is from age 5-6 years, i.e. when they succeed in controlling a harem, for close to life time, but are replaced when dead or incapacitated. Harems are stable even in the absence of a stallion, indicating voluntary membership. Adolescent mares leave their parental families to become members of another harem. In Plains Zebra the adolescent mares are abducted, during an oestrus, by suitors who fight the defending family stallion/father. Successful stallions are bachelors who start a family, or family stallions enlarging their harem. Young stallions leave their parental families voluntarily at age 2-3 years and join bachelor stallion groups from where the family stallions are recruited. An individualised dominance hierarchy excists with the stallion in the alpha position. It is based on individual knowledge and recognition of the members. In the type 2 species Grevy's Zebra, African Wild Ass and Asiatic Wild Ass adult stallions monopolise territories in which they have the exclusive mating rights. Stallions are tolerant of any conspecifics entering their territory. Bachelor stallions behave subordinately – or fight for the possession of the territory which is a prerequisite for reproduction. Mares join up to form anonymous and unstable groups or herds. The only stable unit is of a mare and her offspring. In Grevy's Zebra mares with foal join preferentially conspecifics of the same soial status, as do mares without foal. Matings take place inside the territory. There is no lasting relationship of the mare with a particular stallion, and the mare may be mated by any stallion whose territory she is visiting. Territories measure up to 10 or more square kilometres, and tenure is for several years. Grevy Zebra territorial owners leave their territories for a few hours to visit a water hole, or for months when grazing and water conditions are below requirements, and re-occupy it upon return, unchallenged. |
Klingel, H.. (2012). Soziale Organisation und Sozialverhalten der Equiden. In K. Krueger (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2. International Equine Science Meeting (Vol. in press). Wald: Xenophon Publishing.
Abstract: Verhalten und Ökologie der 6 rezenten Equiden sind in vieler Hinsicht identisch, jedoch in der Sozialen Organisation haben 2 deutliche verschiedene Formen evoluiert, die beide an das Leben in den semi-ariden und ariden Lebensräumen angepasst sind, wo sie zu säsonalen oder opportunistischen Wanderungen gezwungen sind.
Die Verbreitungsgebiete der verschiedenen Arten überlappen, in Südafrika und Namibia von Bergzebra Equus zebra und Steppenzebra E. quagga, in Kenya und Äthiopien von Steppenzebra und Grevy-Zebra E. grevyi, in Äthipien und Somalia von Grevy-Zebra und Afrikanischem Wildesel E. africanus, in China und der Mongolei Asiatischer Wildesel E. hemionus und Przewalski-Pferd E. przewalskii. Obwohl die Vertreter der verschiedenen Arten in den Überschneidungsgebieten die gleichen Ressourcen wie Wasser und Weide nutzen, nehmen sie kaum Kontakt zueinander auf. Die Vertreter von Typ 1, Steppenzebra Equus quagga, Bergzebra E..zebra, Pferd E przewalskii, leben in nicht-territorialen , dauerhaften 1- Hengst- Familien, in Hengstgruppen und als Einzelgänger.. Die Familienhengste haben die alleinigen Paarungsrechte mit den Stuten in ihrem Harem. Dieser besteht aus bis zu ca. 6 nicht-verwandten Stuten nebst ihren Nachkommen und kann bis 20 Mitglieder haben. Stuten bleiben bis zu ihrem Tod im Harem..Hengste können mit 5-6 Jahren einen Harem erobern oder gründen, können gleichfalls bis zum Tod die Familie begleiten, werden aber meist vorher von einem anderen Hengst ersetzt. Harems sind auch ohne Hengst stabil, ein Hinweis, dass die Stuten freiwilling im Harem sind und bleiben.. Junge Stuten verlassen ihre elterliche Familie und schliessen sich einem anderen Harem an..Beim Steppenzebra werden die Jungstuten während eines Östrus (Rosse) von Bewerbern entführt, gegen den Widerstand des Familenhengstes = Vaters. Bewerber sind Junggesellen, die so eine Familie gründen, und Familienhengste, die so ihren Harem vergrössern. Junghengste verlassen mit 2-3Jahren ihre elterliche Familie und schliessen sich Jungesellengruppen an, aus denen sich die Familenhengste rekrutieren. In der Gruppe besteht eine Rangordnung mit dem Henst in der alpha-Position. Sie beruht aud individuellem Kennen und Erkennen der Mitglieder. Bei Typ 2, Grevy-Zebra, Afrikanischer und Asiatischer Wildesel, monopolisieren Hengste über Jahre Territorien von 10 und mehr km2 , in denen sie die alleinigen Paarungsrechte haben. Territoriale Hengste tolerieren Artgenossen, auch erwachsene Hengste, soweit diese sich unterlegen verhalten. Oder sie stellen sich zum Kampf um den Besitz des Territoriums, eine Vorbedingung für die Fortpflanzung. Stuten im Östrus können von mehreren Hengsten begattet werden, wenn sie sich in deren Territorien aufhalten bzw diese durchwandern. Stuten und Fohlen und nicht-territoriale Hengste schliessen sich zu anonymen instabilen Gruppen oder Herden zusammen. Feste dauerhafte Bindungen bestehen nur zwischen Stute und Fohlen. Hengste verlassen ihr Territorium für Stunden, Tage, im Extrem auch Monate, um zu Wasserstellen oder Weidegründen zu ziehen, sind aber bei Rückkehr wieder unangefochtene Besitzer. |