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Author Seaman, S.C.; Davidson, H.P.B.; Waran, N.K.
Title How reliable is temperament assessment in the domestic horse (Equus caballus)? Type Journal Article
Year 2002 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume 78 Issue 2-4 Pages 175-191
Keywords Temperament assessment; Behavioural tests; Horses; Active and passive copers; Factor analysis
Abstract Differences in behavioural characteristics between individuals of the same species are often described as being due to the temperament of the individuals. These differences can have enormous implications for welfare with some individuals apparently being able to adapt to environmental challenge more easily than others. Such differences have resulted in animals often being described as either `active' copers, which try to escape from or remove an aversive stimulus, or `passive' copers, which show no outward signs of a situation being aversive, thus, appearing to be unaffected. Tests previously developed to assess the temperament of animals have been criticised for several reasons. Behaviour is often recorded and categorised using methods that are not objective and tests are generally carried out once with no consideration of whether or not behavioural responses are consistent over time. This study takes these factors into account. The behaviour of 33 horses was recorded in three types of test--an arena test, response to a person and response to an object. In order to test whether or not responses were consistent over time, the tests were repeated three times with an average of 9 days between trials. Test results were validated using responses from questionnaires completed by the farm team leader. The data were analysed using an initial principal component analysis (PCA) and factor analysis. The horses were found to behave consistently over the three trials in their responses in the arena test. The responses to the person test and the object test were similar to each other; however, these responses were not consistent over trials. The behaviour in the arena test was unable to be used to make a prediction of behaviour in the person and object tests and vice versa. The responses shown by the horses did not enable them to be categorised as either active or passive copers. Behavioural responses in the tests were not predictive of the response to a startle test (water spray), nor could they be used to predict status or response to being reintroduced to the group after testing. There was no relationship between the responses in the tests and the ratings given by the farm team leader. It was concluded that horses vary widely in their responses to artificial behavioural tests, with only the responses to an open-field arena test being consistent over time, and therefore, the only type of test which can indicate some core factor of temperament.
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Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 520
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Author Deuel, N.R.; Lawrence, L.M.
Title Laterality in the gallop gait of horses Type Journal Article
Year 1987 Publication Journal of biomechanics Abbreviated Journal J Biomech
Volume 20 Issue 6 Pages 645-649
Keywords Animals; *Functional Laterality; *Gait; Horses/*physiology; Kinesis
Abstract Bilateral asymmetry in gallop stride limb contact patterns of four Quarter Horse fillies was documented by high-speed cinematography. Horses were filmed with rider by two cameras simultaneously while galloping along a straightaway. Even though signaled for each gallop lead an equivalent number of times, horses frequently switched leads, selecting the left lead nearly twice as often as the right. Velocities and stride lengths were greater for the left lead than the right, but stride frequencies did not differ between leads. Velocity effects were partitioned out in limb contact data analysis to enable the determination of persistent gallop stride asymmetries. The contact duration for the trailing (right) fore limb on the left lead exceeded the contact duration for the trailing (left) fore limb on the right lead. Selecting the right fore limb as the trailing fore limb may have allowed horses to use it to withstand the greater stresses and caused them to preferentially gallop with the left fore limb leading. Laterality may have an important influence on equine gallop motion patterns and thereby influence athletic performance.
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ISSN 0021-9290 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:3611140 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 528
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Author Proudman, C.; Pinchbeck, G.; Clegg, P.; French, N.
Title Equine welfare: risk of horses falling in the Grand National Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Nature Abbreviated Journal Nature
Volume 428 Issue 6981 Pages 385-386
Keywords Accidental Falls/prevention & control/*statistics & numerical data; Animal Welfare; Animals; Great Britain; Horse Diseases/prevention & control; Horses/*physiology; Odds Ratio; Risk Assessment; *Sports
Abstract As in other competitive sports, the famous Grand National steeplechase, which is held at Aintree in the United Kingdom and is watched by 600 million people worldwide, sometimes results in injury. By analysing data from the past 15 Grand National races (consisting of 560 starts by horses), we are able to identify several factors that are significantly associated with failure to complete the race: no previous experience of the course and its unique obstacles, unfavourable ground conditions (too soft or too hard), a large number of runners, and the length of the odds ('starting price'). We also find that there is an increased risk of falling at the first fence and at the jump known as Becher's Brook, which has a ditch on the landing side. Our findings indicate ways in which the Grand National could be made safer for horses and illustrate how epidemiological analysis might contribute to preventing injury in competitive sport.
Address Epidemiology Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK. c.j.proudman@liverpool.ac.uk
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ISSN 1476-4687 ISBN Medium
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Notes PMID:15042079 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 535
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Author Morton, D.B.
Title Self-consciousness and animal suffering Type Journal Article
Year 2000 Publication Biologist (London, England) Abbreviated Journal Biologist (London)
Volume 47 Issue 2 Pages 77-80
Keywords Animal Population Groups/*psychology; Animal Welfare/*standards; Animals; Behavior, Animal; *Consciousness; Dogs; *Ego; Horses/psychology; Pain/psychology/*veterinary; Pan troglodytes/psychology; Parrots; Pongo pygmaeus/psychology; Self Concept
Abstract Animals with relatively highly developed brains are likely to experience some degree of self-awareness and the ability to think. As well as being interesting in its own right, self-consciousness matters from an ethical point of view, since it can give rise to forms of suffering above and beyond the immediate physical sensations of pain or distress. This article surveys the evidence for animal self-consciousness and its implications for animal welfare.
Address Division of Primary Care, Public and Occupational Health, School of Medicine, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. d.b.morton@bham.ac.uk
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ISSN 0006-3347 ISBN Medium
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Notes PMID:11190233 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 618
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Author Boyd, L.
Title Behavior problems of equids in zoos Type Journal Article
Year 1986 Publication The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice Abbreviated Journal Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract
Volume 2 Issue 3 Pages 653-664
Keywords Aerophagy/veterinary; Aggression/psychology; Animals; *Animals, Zoo; *Behavior, Animal; Coprophagia/psychology; Female; *Horses; Impotence/veterinary; Male; Mastication; Motor Activity; *Perissodactyla; Pregnancy; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Social Environment
Abstract Behavior problems in zoo equids commonly result from a failure to provide for needs basic to equine nature. Equids are gregarious, and failure to provide companions may result in pacing. Wild equids spend 60 to 70 per cent of their time grazing, and failure to provide ad libitum roughage contributes to the problems of pacing, cribbing, wood chewing, and coprophagia. Mimicking the normal processes of juvenile dispersal, bachelor-herd formation, and mate acquisition reduces the likelihood of agonistic and reproductive behavior problems. Infanticide can be avoided by introducing new stallions to herds containing only nonpregnant mares and older foals.
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ISSN 0749-0739 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:3492252 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 660
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Author Clutton-Brock, T.H.; Greenwood, P.J.; Powell, R.P.
Title Ranks and relationships in Highland ponies and Highland Cows Type Journal Article
Year 1976 Publication Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie Abbreviated Journal Z. Tierpsychol.
Volume 41 Issue 2 Pages 202-216
Keywords Agonistic Behavior; Animals; *Cattle; Female; Grooming; *Horses; Male; *Social Dominance; Spatial Behavior
Abstract Recent studies of primates have questioned the importance of dominance hierarchies in groups living under natural conditions. In a herd of Highland ponies and one of Highland cattle grazing under free-range conditions on the Isle of Rhum (Inner Hebrides) well defined hierarchies were present. The provision of food produced a marked increase in the frequency of agonistic interactions but had no effect on the rank systems of the two herds. While rank was clearly important in affecting the distribution of agonistic interactions, it was poorly related to behaviour in non-agonistic situations.
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ISSN 0044-3573 ISBN Medium
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Notes PMID:961125 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 661
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Author Keiper, R.; Houpt, K.
Title Reproduction in feral horses: an eight-year study Type Journal Article
Year 1984 Publication American journal of veterinary research Abbreviated Journal Am J Vet Res
Volume 45 Issue 5 Pages 991-995
Keywords Abortion, Veterinary/epidemiology; Anestrus; Animal Population Groups/*physiology; Animals; Animals, Wild/*physiology; Birth Rate; Female; Fertility; Horse Diseases/epidemiology; Horses/*physiology; Lactation; Male; Maryland; Pregnancy; *Reproduction; Seasons; Sex Ratio; Virginia
Abstract The reproductive rate and foal survival of the free-ranging ponies on Assateague Island National Seashore were studied for 8 years, 1975 to 1982. Most (52%) of the 86 foals were born in May, 13% were born in April, 22.6% in June, 10.4% in July, and less than 1% in August and September. The mean foaling rate was 57.1 +/- 3.9% and the survival rate was 88.3 +/- 3.6%. Forty-eight colts and 55 fillies were born (sex ratio 53% female). Mares less than 3 years old did not foal and the foaling rate of 3-year-old mares was only 23%, that of 4-year-old mares was 46%, that of 5-year-old mares was 53%, and 6-year-old mares was 69%. The relatively poor reproduction rate was believed to be a consequence of the stress of lactating while carrying a foal when forage quality on the island was low. The hypothesis was supported by the higher reproductive rate (74.4 +/- 2.4%) of the ponies in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on the southern part of the island. Their foals are weaned and sold in July each year. Despite the low reproductive rate on Assateague Island National Seashore , the number of ponies increased from 43 to 80, a 90% increase in the 8-year period or greater than 10%/yr. There were 24 deaths and 8 dispersals from the study area.
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ISSN 0002-9645 ISBN Medium
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Notes PMID:6732036 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 665
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Author Mader, D.R.; Price, E.O.
Title Discrimination learning in horses: effects of breed, age and social dominance Type Journal Article
Year 1980 Publication Journal of animal science Abbreviated Journal J. Anim Sci.
Volume 50 Issue 5 Pages 962-965
Keywords Aging; Animals; *Discrimination Learning; Female; Horses/*physiology; *Social Dominance
Abstract The discrimination learning ability of Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds was compared by means of visual cues in a three-choice test with food as a reward. Quarter Horses learned significantly faster than Thoroughbreds, and learning progressed more rapidly for both breeds in a second discrimination task. Significant negative correlations were observed between age and rate of learning. Quarter Horses tended to be less reactive than Thoroughbreds, but individual emotional reactivity ratings and learning scores were not correlated. No correlation was found between social dominance and learning scores. Learning studies with horses may provide a better understanding of the behavioral traits that influence trainability in this species.
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ISSN 0021-8812 ISBN Medium
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Notes PMID:7390949 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 679
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Author Rivera, E.; Benjamin, S.; Nielsen, B.; Shelle, J.; Zanella, A.J.
Title Behavioral and physiological responses of horses to initial training: the comparison between pastured versus stalled horses Type Journal Article
Year 2002 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume 78 Issue 2-4 Pages 235-252
Keywords Horses; Housing; Training; Behavior; Stress; Cortisol; Welfare
Abstract 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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Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 717
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Author Sondergaard, E.; Ladewig, J.
Title Group housing exerts a positive effect on the behaviour of young horses during training Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume 87 Issue 1-2 Pages 105-118
Keywords Horses; Housing; Human-animal relationship; Social environment; Training; Learning
Abstract In an experiment on the effects of social environment and training on the human-animal relationship, 20 horses were handled according to a defined schedule. Eight horses were housed singly and 12 horses were housed in four groups of 3 horses. Horses were handled three times per week in 10 min sessions from an age of 6 months until 2 years of age during two winter periods. A total of 50 and 70 sessions were given in the first and second period, respectively. Five randomly allocated people performed the training. The training scheme involved leading, tying up, touching, lifting feet, etc. in 43 stages. The horse had to fulfil the performance criteria of each stage in order to get to the next stage. In the first winter period, horses were led to the stable when they had “passed” a stage or after 10 min of training. In the second winter period, horses would start off at stage 1 again, and when they “passed” a stage they went on to the next stage within the same training session. Because of the change in training procedure results were analysed separately for the two winter periods. There was a significant difference between trainers in the number of times they allowed a horse to “pass” a stage within each winter period (χ32, P<0.05; χ32, P<0.001 for the first and the second winter period, respectively). Group housed horses “passed” more stages than single housed horses (17 versus 14; 27 versus 18 in the first and second winter period, respectively; P<0.05 for the interaction). Singly housed horses bit the trainer more frequently than did group housed horses (P<0.01). The responses of group housed horses to training clearly demonstrate the benefits of raising young horses in groups.
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Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 724
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