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Author |
Visser, E. K.; Ellis, A.D.; Rijksen, L.; Van Reenen,C.G.; VanDierendonck,M. |
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Title |
Effect of training method on response of horses to a human approach test |
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2008 |
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IESM 2008 |
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Horse, training, welfare |
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The human-horse relationship forms an essential component in the diversity of todays use of horses. The reactions of horses to interactions with humans are mostly the result of interplay between their own temperament; the temperament and skills of the human and their previous experience – with humans. Moreover, the understanding of the human-horse relationship may improve the welfare of horses and humans. Nowadays, “sympathetic” training methods are gaining tremendous attention of horse owners. In the “sympathetic” training method the focus lies on the use of body language in human-horse communication, as well as respecting the horses natural needs. With 28 horses the effect of a “sympathetic” training method versus a conventional training method on the horse“s response on a human-approach test was studied. Fourteen horses of 3.5 years of age were subjected to a five week training period with a conventional training method, the other fourteen horses were subjected to a ”sympathetic“ training method. The overall frequency of snorting during the human approach tests decreased on average from 4.4 (± 1.1) before the training period to 3.1 (± 0.9) after the training period (both groups). However, there was a significant (p=0.006) difference between training methods: the horses trained in the ”sympathetic“ method decreased snorting by 4.3 (±1.1) while the horses trained in the conventional method increased with 1.5 (±0.9). While horses trained in the conventional method whinnied less in the second human approach test, horses trained in the ”sympathetic“ method whinnied more after the period of training. This difference was found to be significant (p=0.006). Defecating decreased over time, but was not different between training methods. The frequency of touching the unfamiliar handler increased over time for both training methods. The horses trained in a conventional method increased from 1.5 to 2.5 and for the sympathetic trained horses from 1.9 to 3.7. This increase was not significantly different for the training methods. Heart rate showed a minor decrease between the human approach tests (before training period 85.3 bpm, after training period 74.3 bpm) but there were no significant differences between training methods. Similarly, there was a slight increase in heart rate variability (rmssd: from 37.0 to 45.2), but no significant differences between training methods. Overal it was concluded that horses trained with this ”sympathetic“ method tended to be more trustful and less stressful in the presence of an (unfamiliar) human compared to horses trained with a conventional method. This may have been due to reduced stress during horse-human contact in the ”sympathetic" training method used. The long term effects on the welfare of the horses, still needs to be investigated. |
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Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen University and Research Centres, PO Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad |
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Corporate Author |
Visser, E. K. |
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IESM 2008 |
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Poster IESM 2008 |
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yes |
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Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4468 |
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De Pasquale, A.; Ingala, A.; Innella, G.; Luigiano, G.; Malara, L.; Panzera, M. |
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Title |
The influence of the enriched environment on the reactivity of the precociously handled foals (Equus caballus L.). |
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2008 |
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IESM 2008 |
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Foal, Handling, Enriched environment, Reactivity. |
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In a preliminary study, we evaluated the effect of precocious handling (at birth, 10, 30 and 60 days) and enriched environment on foal. Two experimental groups were created:
- 3 foals not handled and stabled in semi-enriched environment (Group A).
- 6 foals handled and stabled in an enriched environment (Group B).
All nine foals were tested with a novel object test (umbrella) at three months of age, to assess the Heart Rate (HR) values measured by a telemetric heart rate monitor (Polar Horse Trainer), during opening, touching and closing of the umbrella.
The statistical analysis carried out by means of the Mann-Whitney test showed lower HR values of the foals of group B (P<0.05).
Furthermore we have investigated 10 foals born between 2006 and 2008 to study the influence of enriched environment and precocious handling on behavioural responsiveness. The foals were housed on a farm which ensured an enriched environment and made social intra and interspecific interactions easier, alias autoshaping. They were submitted to:
- Handling within 24 hours from birth.
- Handling and reactivity test (arena test) executed at 10, 30 and 60 days.
The temporal correlation was studied among ages and baseline HR values, using the
Spearman"s test, to assess the beginning of neurovegetative HR control.
In fact statistically significant differences were obtained (r = -0.431; P<0,02). Temporal values of obtained HR baseline, using the Wilcoxon test, showed lower values at 60 days. The comparison was significant among mean and max baseline HR values of 30 vs 60 and 10 vs 60 (P<0.05), while no differences were observed during the reactivity test. This shows that adequate conditions of management associated to a precocious and continuous handling allow the foals to maintain their natural investigative behaviour disappearing fear and flight reactions. |
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Dept. of Experimental Sciences and Applied Biotechnologies, Unit of Applied Physiology and Comparative Ethology , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – University of Messina, Italy. |
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De Pasquale, A |
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IESM 2008 |
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Talk 15 min IESM 2008 |
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yes |
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Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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4486 |
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Granquist,S.M.; Sigurjónsdóttir, H; Thórhallsdóttir, A.G. |
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Title |
Social structure and interactions within groups of horses containing a stallion |
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Conference Article |
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2008 |
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IESM 2008 |
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Social interactions,, Stallions, Hierarchy, Icelandic horses |
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Earlier research indicates that stallions might either prevent social interactions between mares in their
herds directly or indirectly by their presence (Feist and McCullough, 1976; Sigurjonsdottir et al.,
2003) The impact of stallions on the social interactions between harem members was studied in 6
groups of Icelandic horses in 2004, 2006 and 2007 for altogether 525 hours. Four of the groups were
permanently living together under semi-feral conditions, while two were temporary breeding groups. In
addition, temporary and permanent groups were compared and the effect of the stability of the group
on the social behaviour of horses was investigated .
The results show that stallions seldom intervene directly in social interactions between harem
members. However, the hierarchies were less rigid and fewer friendship bonds were found in the
groups compared to what has been found in groups without stallions in Iceland. These results give
some support to our prediction that the stallion does indirectly suppress social interactions of herd
members.
The stability of the group was found to affect the aggression rate, since a higher aggression rate was
found in the temporary groups compared to the permanent groups. The number of preferred
allogrooming partners of the horses was also affected to some extent, as a significantly lower number
of allogrooming partners was found in the most unstable group compared to all the other groups. The
results have significance for further research in the field of social structure of mammals, and may also
be applied in the management of horses and other domestic animals. |
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Sigurjónsdóttir, H |
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IESM 2008 |
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Talk 15 min IESM 2008 Fullpaper |
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yes |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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4487 |
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Jørgensen, G. H.M.; Borsheim, L.; Mejdell, C. M.; Bøe, K. E. |
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Social interactions and spacing in horses (Equus caballus) grouped according to gender |
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2008 |
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IESM 2008 |
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The aim of this study was to investigate the social behaviour and spacing between horses when grouped according to gender in homogeneous- or heterogeneous groups, and to see if the amount and severity of aggression differed in relation to gender composition.
A total of 66 horses divided in six batches were used. In each batch, horses were allotted into one mare group, one gelding group and one mixed gender group, with most groups consisting of three or four animals. Three batches were performed on Icelandic horses and three batches on riding horses and -ponies. After 4-6 weeks of acclimatisation, a trained observer recorded all social interactions using direct, continuous observation one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon for three consecutive days. In addition, the nearest neighbour of each horse was recorded using instantaneous sampling every 10 minutes. The horses were inspected for injuries before grouping, day one after grouping and after 4-6 weeks. Furthermore, a novel object test and a handling test (taking horse out of group) were conducted after the behavioural observations were completed.
No significant effect of gender composition was found on social interactions, spacing or injuries. Most of the aggressive interactions recorded were threats, and not aggressive interactions involving physical contact. Aggression seemed to increase with decreased space per animal and more horses per feeding place. Very few injuries were found and most were superficial. Horses showed a low degree of fearfulness in the novel object test and most horses were easy to handle in the “horse out of group test”.
In conclusion, gender composition does not seem to have any effect on aggression level, spacing or injuries in social groups of horses. |
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2National Veterinary Institute, Department of Animal Health, P.O. Box 750 Sentrum, 0106 Oslo, Norway. |
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Corporate Author |
Jørgensen, G. H.M. |
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IESM 2008 |
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Talk 15 min IESM 2008 |
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yes |
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Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4489 |
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Malara, L.; De Pasquale, A.; Ingala, A.; Innella, G. |
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Title |
The influence of management on horse behavioural reactivity in therapeutic riding programs. |
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Conference Article |
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2008 |
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IESM 2008 |
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Management; Horses; Therapeutic Riding; Behaviour; Reactivity |
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We investigated 8 horses in five therapeutic riding centres situated in San Cataldo (Caltanissetta – I), Nicosia (Catania – II), Pellaro (Reggio Calabria – III), San Gregorio (Catania – IV), Niguarda Hospitals (Milan – V). The managements of the animals were of different typologies: Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3. In type 1 the horses were used for therapeutic riding only. Furthermore intra and interspecific social interactions were not allowed. In type 2 the horses played kinetic activities and made social interactions. In type 3 the horses were free in paddock, as intra and interspecific social interactions were allowed. The centre I, with a management of type 1, housed 1 horse (A1); the centre II, with a management of type 2, housed 1 horse (B2); the centre III, with a management of type 1, housed 1 horse (C1); the centre IV, with a management of type 2, housed 2 horses (D2 and E2); the centre V, with a management of type 3, housed 3 horses (F3, G3 and H3). Breeds of horses were: Anglo-Arab (n°1), Avelignese (n°3), Italian Selle (n°3), draught-horse crossbreed (n°1). They were 2 geldings and 6 females. Their ages ranged from 12 to 23 years. We observed a total of 64 patients affected by different pathologies: autism, motory handicap, blindness and deafness, children“s cerebral paralysis, relational problems, mental deficiency, Down”s syndrome.
The horses“ behaviour was observed at rest and during therapeutic activities with these patients. The Heart Rate (HR) was used as physiological parameter for an ethological evaluation, measured by a telemetric heart rate monitor (Polar Horse Trainer). Horses were analysed with a reactivity test for emotional homeostasis evaluation, too. Heart rate values were studied with non parametrical statistical analysis methods.
Distinct management typologies provided statistically different basal mean values of heart rate (intergroup and intragroup): Type 1 vs Type 2 (P~0.05) and Type 1 vs Type 3 (P<0.05). The comparison of heart rate during therapeutic activities of diverse management showed the following results: A1 vs B2 (P<0.05), B2 vs C1 (P<0.05), Type 1 vs Type 2 (P<0.01). Different managements, both in the same or different typologies, gave significantly diverse results (A1 vs E2: P~0.05; C1 vs E2: P~0.05; B2 vs E2: P~0.05).
This study shows that the statistic differences obtained by therapies with autistic patients derive from management conditions of Type 1. In reactivity test there aren”t any significant differences among the three management typologies. However, we recorded strong variation between medium and maximum values of heart rate, especially in Type 1 and Type 2 of management.
These high variations of heart rate indicated fear reaction of the horse to new stimuli.
This reaction could lead to dangerous accidents for patients during therapeutic activities.
Horses used in therapeutic riding programs must be evaluated before this employment. Horse's behaviour can be assessed by an ethological observation and a reactivity test. Furthermore, the horses must be guaranteed welfare conditions and must live in an environment enriched with sensorial stimuli and respectful of their physiological and ethological needs. |
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Dept. of Experimental Sciences and Applied Biotechnologies, Unit of Applied Physiology and Comparative Ethology , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – University of Messina, Italy. |
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Corporate Author |
Innella, G. |
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IESM 2008 |
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Poster IESM 2008 |
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yes |
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Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4491 |
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Author |
Nagy, K.; Bodó, G.; Bárdos, G.; Harnos, A. |
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Title |
Is modified Forssell"s operation superior to cribbing collar in preventing crib-biting in horses? |
Type |
Conference Article |
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Year |
2008 |
Publication |
IESM 2008 |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Keywords |
stereotypic behaviour, heart-rate variability, stress, equine welfare |
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Crib-biting (wind-sucking) might be a coping response of the horses to the challenges of
uncontrolled environmental events. Prevention of this stereotypic behaviour evokes
physiological responses consistent with increased stress. Reducing the incidence of cribbiting,
however, is important in order to prevent undesirable physical and behavioural
consequences (tooth erosion, altered gut function, gastric inflammation/ulceration, colic, etc.).
Common treatment of crib-biting is the application of a cribbing collar, which limits the
flexion of the neck making this stereotypic movement uncomfortable and difficult. Another
method, the modified Forssell“s operation, is becoming more and more popular amongst the
horse owners. It is based on the removal of the muscles used in crib-biting (m.omohyoideus,
m.sternohyoideus, m.sternothyrohyoideus) and the ventral branches of the spinal accessory
nerves. Surveys on the success of this surgical procedure have revealed inconsistent results,
and, contrary to the cribbing collar, its effect on the stress level have not been studied either.
The aim of our study was to determine whether the modified Forssell”s procedure is superior
to the cribbing collar treatment.
Differences in stress management was tested by a crib-biting provoking test, in which
surgically treated horses, crib-biting horses, crib-biting horses with cribbing collar, and
normal horses (those showing no stereotypies), altogether 56 horses were compared. In this
test, a food bucket had been placed out of the reach of the animal, from which titbits were
given 3 times. Behaviour and heart rate variability (HRV) of the horses were recorded and
analysed throughout the test. Hypotheses were tested by linear mixed model.
According to our results, both prevention methods (collar or surgery) inhibited crib-biting
successfully though not totally. Regarding behaviour and heart rate variability, horses
prevented from crib-biting (by collar or surgery) differed significantly from crib-biting and
normal horses but not from each other.
Normal horses were usually trying to reach the food-bucket while present and were standing
still afterwards, whereas the other three groups had not really made efforts to reach the
bucket, spent less time with resting, and performed or tried crib-biting. During the stress-test,
normal and crib-biting horses had shown good stress-adaptation to the challenge since their
HRV, after an initial increase, returned to the basal value by the end. On the contrary, HRV of
the two prevented groups remained elevated and showed large oscillations throughout. They
had not found a successful coping behaviour either.
Our results suggest that since prevention may significantly increase distress, the treatment in
itself, without changing the motivation of the horse to perform the replacement behaviour – it
seems to be unsatisfactory and insufficient. After prevention the motivation of the horse to
perform crib-biting should be addressed. In addition, considering that prevention by collar and
surgery had not resulted in any significant behavioural or physiological differences, the
superiority of the modified Forssell"s procedure might be questioned. However, the surgery
might be recommended if treatment with collar is ineffective. |
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Address |
Szent István University, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Budapest, István u. 2, H-1078, Hungary;Eötvös Loránd University, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Budapest, Pázmány P. stny. 1/C, H-1117, Hungary |
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Corporate Author |
Nagy, K. |
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IESM 2008 |
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Talk 15 min IESM 2008 |
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yes |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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4492 |
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Crosby, M.B.; Zhang, J.; Nowling, T.M.; Svenson, J.L.; Nicol, C.J.; Gonzalez, F.J.; Gilkeson, G.S. |
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Title |
Inflammatory modulation of PPAR gamma expression and activity |
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Journal Article |
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2006 |
Publication |
Clinical immunology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Clin Immunol |
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118 |
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2-3 |
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276-283 |
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Age Factors; Animals; Cell Line, Transformed; Cells, Cultured; Female; Inflammation Mediators/*physiology; Kidney/metabolism; Mesangial Cells/metabolism; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred MRL lpr; Mice, Knockout; Nitric Oxide/biosynthesis; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/biosynthesis/genetics; PPAR gamma/*biosynthesis/*genetics/metabolism; Up-Regulation/immunology |
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Nitric oxide (NO) production increases with age in the lupus-prone MRL/lpr mouse, paralleling disease activity. One mechanism for excess NO production in MRL/lpr mice may be a defect in down-regulatory mechanisms of the iNOS pathway. A potential modulator of NO is the nuclear hormone receptor peroxisome proliferation activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma). We demonstrate that renal PPARgamma protein expression was altered as disease progressed in MRL/lpr mice, which paralleled increased iNOS protein expression. Additionally, MRL/lpr-derived primary mesangial cells expressed less PPARgamma than BALB/c mesangial cells and produced more NO in response to LPS and IFNgamma. Furthermore, PPARgamma activity was reduced in mesangial cells following exposure to inflammatory mediators. This activity was restored with the addition of a NOS enzyme inhibitor. These results indicate that the activation of inflammatory pathways may lead to reduced activity and expression of PPARgamma, further exacerbating the disease state. |
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Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA |
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1521-6616 |
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PMID:16303334 |
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refbase @ user @ |
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67 |
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Judge, P.G.; De Waa,l F.B.M. |
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Title |
Rhesus monkey behaviour under diverse population densities: coping with long-term crowding |
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1997 |
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Animal Behaviour. |
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Anim. Behav. |
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54 |
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3 |
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643-662 |
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A popular view is that high population density promotes behavioural pathology, particularly increased aggression. In contrast, according to a coping model, some primates have behavioural mechanisms (e.g. formal displays, reconciliation and grooming) that regulate social tensions and control the negative consequences of crowding. Seven captive rhesus monkey groups, Macaca mulattawere observed over a wide range of population densities where high-density groups were over 2000 times more crowded than low-density free-ranging groups. As density increased, male rhesus monkeys increased grooming and huddling but did not increase rates of aggression. Females increased all categories of behaviour examined (heavy aggression, mild aggression, formal bared-teeth displays, grooming and huddling), but the increases were not distributed uniformly to all classes of partners. Females increased only grooming, huddling and appeasement displays to males, increased only aggression and huddling with kin and increased all categories of behaviour to non-kin adult females. There were no differences in the percentage of aggressive conflicts reconciled across density conditions. Increased density had different effects on particular relationships. Relationships between females and males were characterized by a coping pattern in which animals modified their behaviour in ways that may decrease aggression under crowded conditions. Female relationships with kin and non-kin were characterized by increases in both aggression and friendly interactions as density increased. The different patterns of response to higher density may reflect different strategies depending on the strength and stability of relationships and the potential consequences if certain relationships are disrupted.1997The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour |
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Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center and Department of Psychology, Emory University |
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0003-3472 |
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PMID:9299049 |
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refbase @ user @ |
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199 |
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Visser, E.K.; van Reenen, C.G.; van der Werf, J.T.N.; Schilder, M.B.H.; Knaap, J.H.; Barneveld, A.; Blokhuis, H.J. |
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Heart rate and heart rate variability during a novel object test and a handling test in young horses |
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Journal Article |
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2002 |
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Physiology & Behavior |
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Physiol. Behav. |
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76 |
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2 |
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289-296 |
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Heart rate; Heart rate variability; Consistency; Behavioral tests; Temperament; Emotionality; Horses |
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Abstract |
Forty-one Dutch Warmblood immature horses were used in a study to quantify temperamental traits on the basis of heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) measures. Half of the horses received additional training from the age of 5 months onwards; the other half did not. Horses were tested at 9, 10, 21 and 22 months of age in a novel object and a handling test. During the tests, mean HR and two heart variability indices, e.g. standard deviation of beat-to-beat intervals (SDRR) and root mean square of successive beat-to-beat differences (rMSSD), were calculated and expressed as response values to baseline measures. In both tests, horses showed at all ages a significant increase in mean HR and decrease in HRV measures, which suggests a marked shift of the balance of the autonomic nervous system towards a sympathetic dominance. In the novel object test, this shift was more pronounced in horses that had not been trained. Furthermore, statistical analysis showed that the increase in mean HR could not be entirely explained by the physical activity. The additional increase in HR, the nonmotor HR, was more pronounced in the untrained horses compared to the trained. Hence, it is suggested that this nonmotor HR might be due to the level of emotionality. HR variables showed consistency between years, as well as within the second year. These tests bring about a HR response in horses, part of which may indicate a higher level of emotionality; and horses show individual consistency of these HR variables over ages. Therefore, it is concluded that mean HR and HRV measures used with these tests quantify certain aspects of a horse's temperament. |
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Author |
Visser, E.K.; van Reenen, C.G.; Hopster, H.; Schilder, M.B.H.; Knaap, J.H.; Barneveld, A.; Blokhuis, H.J. |
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Quantifying aspects of young horses' temperament: consistency of behavioural variables |
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2001 |
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Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
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Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
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74 |
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4 |
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241-258 |
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Horses; Temperament; Individual differences; Behavioural variables; Pca |
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Performance of horses, whether in sports or in leisure, depends on both physical abilities as well as temperament. The aim of the present work was to measure individual variation and consistency of behavioural variables, related to temperament, in young horses of the same breed and age, and reared under controlled housing conditions and management. A total of 41 Dutch Warmblood horses were tested at 9, 10, 21 and 22 months of age in two behavioural tests, i.e. the novel object test and the handling test. In the novel object test horses were confronted with an open umbrella that was lowered from the ceiling. In the handling test horses were led by a human to cross a bridge. Per test, behavioural variables in the following behavioural classes were observed: locomotor activity, latency times, postural expressions and vocalisations. Within years, all behavioural variables in the handling test, and all but two in the novel object test were positively correlated (0.36<Rs<0.81, P<0.05). For both tests, at 9, 10, 21 and 22 months of age, a principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out to examine whether there were indications for underlying components of these individual behavioural variables that could possibly serve as measures for temperamental traits. The first component in the novel object test could be regarded as `flightiness' and the second as `sensitiveness'. In the handling test, the first component was suggested to relate to `patience', the second component to `willingness to perform'. The temperamental trait `flightiness' (novel object test) as well as the temperamental trait `patience' (handling test) were positively correlated within both years (0.36<Rs<0.65, P<0.05). For the traits `sensitiveness' (novel object test) and `willingness to perform' (handling test) a positive correlation was only found within the first year (0.44<Rs<0.57, P<0.01). A few individual behavioural variables showed consistency over years. Additionally, just one out of four temperamental traits, namely `flightiness', proved to be consistent over years (Rs=0.49, P<0.01). The temperamental trait `patience' showed a trend between years (Rs=0.31, 0.05<P<0.1). It is concluded that the behavioural tests employed in the present study can be used to reliably identify individual behavioural variables and temperamental traits in young horses. Long-term consistency, i.e. between subsequent years, could not be demonstrated convincingly. Nevertheless, future work may indicate that employing the same approach and considering an even longer time period or different phases of the horse's life, long-term consistency does exist. |
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324 |
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