Abstract: Die angemessenste Art ein Pferd als soziales Wesen unter menschlicher Obhut zu halten, ist in der Gruppe mit Seinesgleichen. Dabei gilt der Offenlaufstall mit getrennten Funktionsbereichen (Mehrraum-Außenlaufstall mit Auslauf) als die tiergerechteste Haltungsform für Pferde (BMELV, 2009). Aus Gründen der Arbeits- und Kostenersparnis sowie zur Reduzierung der Keim- und Staubbelastung werden in jüngster Zeit vermehrt Gummimatten als Einstreuersatz in Liegehallen von Offenlaufställen eingesetzt.
In vorliegender Arbeit sollte überprüft werden, ob Gummimatten (7,5 cm hoch, schaumstoffgefüllt; HIT-Softbed plus®) in Kombination mit minimaler Späneeinstreu als Liegeunterlage in Liegehallen von Offenlaufställen als tiergerecht beurteilt werden können. Darüber hinaus galt es zu klären, ob die Klimaverhältnisse in den Liegehallen trotz nicht saugfähiger Gummiunterlage den hygienischen Anforderungen des BMELVs (2009) an das Stallklima entsprechen. Dazu wurde das Liegeverhalten von einer repräsentativen Anzahl von 56 Pferden in einem Offenlaufstall mit getrennten Funktionsbereichen an jeweils 6 Tagen je Jahreszeit (Frühling, Sommer, Herbst, Winter) mittels kontinuierlicher Videoaufzeichnungen (n= 24 Tage) und zusätzlichen visuellen Direkt-beobachtungen (n= 60 Std) erfasst. Die Pferde hatten zum Liegen die Wahl zwischen folgenden drei Arealen: drei identisch ausgestatteten, jedoch unterschiedlich großen Liegehallen (mittig Gummimatten; Randbereich Späneeinstreu), einem Unterstand (Sand), sowie einem Sandplatz. Die Größe der Liegefläche in den drei Liegehallen (LH I 172 m², LH II und III jeweils 143 m²) entsprach den Anforderungen des BMELVs (2009). Unterstand und Sandplatz konnten zusätzlich von den Pferden zum Ruhen im Liegen genutzt werden. Ergänzend wurden folgende Einflussfaktoren auf das Liegeverhalten der Pferde erfasst: Tageszeit, Jahreszeit und Witterung sowie Alter, Stockmaß, Gewicht, „Body Condition Score“ und Rangordnung.
Durchschnittlich ruhten lediglich 35,2 der 52,3 in der Anlage befindlichen Pferde (67,3%) pro Beobachtungstag im Liegen in den Arealen. Demzufolge nahmen
Zusammenfassung 213
viele Pferde nicht jede Nacht eine Liegeposition ein. Die Hauptliegezeit mit 72% der erfassten Liegephasen war zwischen 0 und 6 Uhr. Bezogen auf die vorhandene Liegefläche je Areal ergab sich lediglich eine 50%ige Maximalauslastung an gleichzeitig liegenden Pferden.
Die Liegephasendauer variierte -unabhängig vom Areal- signifikant zwischen den Pferden (p=0,028) und darüber hinaus auch je Pferd (p<0,001). Die durchschnittliche Dauer pro Liegephase war mit 28,8 ± 0,5 (SEM) min signifikant länger in den Liegehallen (I, II und III), als im Unterstand mit 24,6 ± 0,9 min und auf dem Sandplatz mit 20,0 ± 1,9 min (p<0,001).
Die mittlere tägliche Gesamtliegedauer eines Pferdes betrug 91 ± 2,7 min in den Liegehallen (I, II und III), 43 ± 2,3 min im Unterstand und 27 ± 2,9 min auf dem Sandplatz (p<0,001). In den Liegehallen legte sich ein Pferd im Mittel 3,2 Mal am Tag ab, im Unterstand lediglich 1,7 und auf dem Sandplatz 1,3 Mal (p<0,001). 79% der registrierten Liegephasen (n= 2410) fanden darüber hinaus in den Liegehallen (I, II und III) statt, was deren zentrale Bedeutung als Liegebereich hervorhebt.
In der größeren Liegehalle I ruhten eine größere Anzahl an unterschiedlichen Pferden häufiger (p<0,0002) und länger (p<0,0005) pro Tag im Liegen als in den beiden etwas kleineren Liegehallen II und III.
Die tägliche Gesamtliegedauer pro Pferd war mit aufgestütztem Kopf mit 54,8 ± 1,6 Minuten länger als ohne aufgestützten Kopf mit 45,2 ± 1,8 min. In Seitenlage wurde im Durchschnitt pro Tag und Pferd 27,5 ± 1,1 min geruht (p<0,001). Diese Ruheposition wurde in den Liegehallen signifikant häufiger eingenommen, als auf dem Sandplatz oder im Unterstand (p<0,001).
Die tägliche mittlere Gesamtliegedauer pro Pferd auf Späne war mit 74,3 ± 2,9 min gegenüber 62,4 ± 2,3 min auf Gummimatten signifikant länger (p=0,005). Ebenso fanden in Relation zum Flächenangebot in den Liegehallen geringfügig mehr Liegephasen auf dem Späne-Bereich als auf den Gummimatten statt. Ebenfalls in Flächenrelation wurde der offen gestaltete Unterstand deutlich vor den anderen Arealen zum Ruhen im Liegen von den Pferden präferiert. Es sei deshalb auf die Bedeutung eines Unterstandes als zusätzliche Liegefläche in Offenlaufstallhaltung hingewiesen.
Die meisten Liegephasen und auch die längsten täglichen Liegezeiten fanden in den warmen Monaten statt (p=0,013). Im Winter flachte das Ruhen im Liegen
deutlich ab und verlagerte sich bei unter -10°C nahezu ausschließlich auf die Liegehallen (p=0,001).
Der leichte Späne-Überzug und der positive Effekt der bereits integrierten und die Gummimatten zum Liegen nutzenden Pferde waren mögliche Gründe dafür, dass die Neuankömmlinge ohne Gummimatten-Vorerfahrung (n= 10 Pferde &#8804; 6 Monate in der Anlage) kein vermindertes Liegeverhalten im Vergleich zur bestehenden Herde (n= 46 Pferde; mind. 1 bis max. 3 J. in der Anlage) aufwiesen.
Die Rangordnung wurde mittels modifiziertem „Average Dominance Index“ berechnet. Die rangniederen Pferde hatten mit 2,6 gegenüber 3,4 und 3,1 sowohl signifikant weniger Liegephasen pro Pferd und Tag, als auch mit 69,3 ± 3,9 min eine um 22 min signifikant kürzere tägliche Gesamtliegedauer als die Ranghöheren (jeweils p<0,001). Rangniedrige Pferde ruhten in den Liegehallen weniger häufig (2,7 gegenüber 3,5 und 3,2 mittlere Anzahl Liegephasen/ Pferd/ Tag) und auch signifikant (p<0,001) kürzer je Tag (77,8 ± 5,0 min gegenüber 97,3 ± 3,9 min und 98,8 ± 5,1 min). Je jünger ein Pferd war, desto öfter (3,5 gegenüber 2,6 mittlere Anzahl Liegephasen/ Pferd/ Tag) und länger (103,7 ± 7,6 min gegenüber 56,1 ± 13,2 min) legte es sich am Tag nieder, und desto häufiger (90% der Liegephasen der 4 und 5 Jährigen gegenüber 39% und 70% der 16 bis 25 J.) nutzte es die Liegehallen zum Liegen (p<0,001). Das Stockmaß der Pferde und das Pferdegewicht zeigten keinen eindeutigen Einfluss auf das Liegeverhalten. Für den „Body Condition Score“ (Skala 1 bis 9) ergaben sich signifikante Unterschiede. Je höher der BCS der Pferde war, desto häufigere (p=0,0185) und längere Liegezeiten (p=0,007) wiesen sie auf.
Der monatlich gemessenen Ammoniakgehalt sowie Luftgeschwindigkeit, Luftfeuchtigkeit und Temperatur entsprachen bei Einsatz von Gummimatten in den Liegehallen den Anforderungen des BMELV (2009) an ein tiergerechtes Stallklima. Voraussetzung hierfür ist jedoch eine ausreichende Luftzirkulation im Stallgebäude sowie eine gute Stallhygiene.
Die Ergebnisse aus den vergleichenden Beobachtungen der unterschiedlichen Liegematerialien lassen schlussfolgern, dass die hier untersuchten verformbaren Gummimatten in Kombination mit minimaler Späneeinstreu in Offenlaufställen von der Mehrzahl der Pferde zum Ruhen im Liegen angenommen wurde und deshalb als weitgehend tiergerecht beurteilt werden können.
[Being highly social animals, horses are housed most adequately in groups. Loose housing systems are said to be the most species adequate system of horse housing (BMELV, 2009). Recently rubber mats have increasingly been used instead of shavings as bedding in loose housing systems where the different functional areas are separated. Advantages of rubber mats are that they are less cost and labour intensive as shavings, and their use also reduces the bacterial and dust contamination of the environment.
However, it has not yet been shown whether horses are capable of satisfying their recumbency needs on rubber mats as well as they can on shavings. This study looks to clarify this question, as well as to evaluate the hygienic conditions of the stabling climate in the areas equipped with sponge-filled rubber mats (HIT-Softbed® plus).
The recumbency patterns of 56 horses kept in a loose housing system with separate functional areas were observed on 6 days per season (spring, summer, autumn and winter) using wide angle video cameras. The different areas were: three similar but different large halls meant as lying areas (in the middle rubber mats; in the periphery shavings), an unsheltered area with sand footing and a sheltered area with sand footing. The size of the three halls meant as lying areas (LH I 172 m², LH II and III each 143 m²) was adequate with the demands of the BMELV (2009). Confounding factors which could also affect recumbency behaviour, such as day time, season and weather were taken into account. The role of the horses rank was also investigated. The occurrence of disruptions during recumbency phases by other members of the herd was also found out. Horse specific factors such as age, height, weight and body condition score were also taken into account as these could also have an effect on recumbency patterns.
On each day of observation, in average 35 different horses out of 56 horses (65%) were seen to be resting in a recumbent position. Hence many horses did not assume a recumbent position every night. Seventy-two percent of the recumbency
phases occurred between 0 and 4 am. The capacity of the area for a lying position at one time offered the horses was only exploited to 50%.
The length of the recumbency phase varied significantly between animals and for the individual animals over the duration of the observation period (p<0.001). The average recumbent time per lying phase was 28.8 ± 0.5 (SEM) minutes in the halls (I, II and III), 24.6 ± 0.9 min in the shelter and 20.0 ± 1.9 min on the sand area. The average time spent lying down per horse per day was 91 ± 2.7 min in the halls, 43 ± 2.3 min in the shelter and 27 ± 2.9 min on the sand area (p<0.001). The horses lay down an average of 3.2 times in the halls, 1.7 times in the shelter and 1.3 times in the sand area (p<0.001). Seventy-nine percent of the observed recumbency phases (n= 2410) were seen in the halls. This shows that along with the pastures, the halls played a central role in the recumbency patterns of the horses.
When comparing the halls, a wider variety of horses was observed spending a longer time in recumbency (p<0.0005) more often (p<0.0002) in hall I than in the somewhat smaller halls II and III.
The total time spent per day in recumbency with the head supported was 54.8 ± 1.6 min and hence was ten minutes longer than the total daily time spent in recumbency without the head supported with 45.2 ± 1.8 min. On average the horses spent 27.5 ± 1.1 min in lateral recumbency (p<0.001). Horses were observed to lie in lateral recumbency more often in the halls than on sand area or in the shelter (p<0.001).
The daily total length of time spent in recumbency was found to be significantly longer on bedding (74.3 ± 2.9 min) versus on rubber mats (62.4 ± 2.3 min) (p=0.005). Even though the average number and length of recumbency periods per day and horse, as well as the average time spent in lateral recumbency was greater for the halls, when taking surface area into consideration, it was found that the sheltered area was used the most per surface area for resting in recumbency. Hence it is relevant to state the importance of a shelter as additional lying space in loose housing systems.
The highest number of recumbency phases and the longest time spent daily lying down were seen in the mild months of the year (p=0.013). Temperatures below freezing led to decreased recumbency behavior. The horses observed lay down
almost exclusively in the halls when temperature was below -10°C (p<0.001).
The newcomers (n= 10 horses &#8804; 6 months in the stable) to this housing system did not show a diminished recumbency behaviour compared to the other horses (n= 46 horses for 1 to 3 years in the stable). It is apparent that horses that do not have previous experience of rubber mats do not necessitate an adaptation period to use the mats to lay down on, as long as they are introduced into a group of horses that are already comfortable with the use of the mats. Likewise the shavings could help the horses adapt to the new material faster.
The rank of the horse in the herd was determined using a modified “Average Dominance Index”. The horses of low rank showed a significantly lower number of recumbency phases (2.6 compared to 3.4 and 3.1 per horse per day), as well as with 69.3 ± 3.9 min a highly significant shorter by 22 minutes length of recumbency phase when compared to horses of higher rank (each p<0.001). With diminishing rank, the horses lay down less frequently in the halls (2.7 compared to 3.5 and 3.2 recumbency phases per horse per day) and the total daily time spent in recumbency (77.8 ± 5.0 min compared to 97.3 ± 3.9 min und 98.8 ± 5.1 min) diminished significantly (p<0.001). Younger horses were found to lie down more frequently (3.5 compared to 2.6 recumbency phases per horse per day) but also to spend significantly longer periods (103.7 ± 7.6 min compared to 56.1 ± 13.2 min) in recumbency (p<0.001). Younger horses also tended to (90% of recumbency phases of 4 and 5 year old compared to 39% and 70% of 16 until 25 year old) use the halls for recumbent periods of rest (p<0.001). Horse height and weight did not influence recumbency behavior clearly. An interesting correlation was however noted with “body condition score” (BCS). A scale from 1 to 9 was used. The higher the BCS, the more (p=0.0185) and longer (p=0.007) time the animal spent resting in recumbency.
Air ammonia content, air velocity, ambient humidity and temperature measured monthly were within the recommendations of the BMELV (2009). Rubber mats are of no concern to hygiene when used as bedding in loose housing systems with segregated functional areas, as long as sufficient air circulation and proper stable hygiene are present.
The results of the comparative observations of the various bedding materials lead us to conclude that the currently studied rubber mats in combination with a
minimum amount of shaving are accepted by the majority of the horses and therefore are a widely species-appropriate bedding material for horses in loose housing systems.]

Abstract: The ability of horses to learn through social observation may ease the implementation of new management systems, because the use of automatic feeders etc. by naive horses could be facilitated by observation of experienced horses. However, previous studies found no documentation for observational learning abilities in horses. This study aimed to investigate the ability of horses to learn an instrumental task from a familiar conspecific when social interaction was allowed during the demonstration. Two similar experiments were performed. In the first experiment, Observer horses (n=11) participated in ten successive demonstrations, where a trained Demonstrator opened an operant device by pushing a sliding lid aside with the muzzle in order to obtain a food reward. Immediately after the demonstrations the Observer horses were given the opportunity to operate the device alone. Control horses (n=11) were aware that the device contained food but were presented to the operant device without demonstration of the task. The learning criterion was at least two openings. Accomplishment of and latency to accomplish the learning criterion, and investigative behaviour towards the operant device were recorded. Five Observers and one Control, out of the eleven horses in each treatment group, accomplished the learning criterion. Even though this presents a high odds ratio (OR) in favour of the Observer treatment (OR=7.6), there was no significant difference between the treatment groups (P=0.15). Analysis of investigative behaviour showed, however, that the demonstrations increased the motivation of the Observer horses to investigate the device. Subsequently, a similar experiment was performed in a practical setting with 44 test horses (mixed age, gender and breed). We used the same operant device and the same number and type of demonstrations, although the horses were held on a loose rope to minimise aggression. In this second experiment, six of 23 Observer horses and five of 21 Control horses learned the instrumental task, representing no influence of the demonstration. Thus, this study did not demonstrate an ability of horses to learn an instrumental task through observation.

Abstract: <p>Because conflicts among social group members are inevitable, their management is crucial for group stability. The rarest and most interesting form of conflict management is policing, i.e., <italic>impartial interventions by bystanders</italic>, which is of considerable interest due to its potentially moral nature. Here, we provide descriptive and quantitative data on policing in captive chimpanzees. First, we report on a high rate of policing in one captive group characterized by recently introduced females and a rank reversal between two males. We explored the influence of various factors on the occurrence of policing. The results show that only the alpha and beta males acted as arbitrators using manifold tactics to control conflicts, and that their interventions strongly depended on conflict complexity. Secondly, we compared the policing patterns in three other captive chimpanzee groups. We found that although rare, policing was more prevalent at times of increased social instability, both high-ranking males and females performed policing, and conflicts of all sex-dyad combinations were policed. These results suggest that the primary function of policing is to increase group stability. It may thus reflect prosocial behaviour based upon “community concern.” However, policing remains a rare behaviour and more data are needed to test the generality of this hypothesis.</p>

Abstract: It can be a challenge to find a conventional saddle that is a good fit for both horse and rider. An increasing number of riders are purchasing treeless saddles because they are thought to fit a wider range of equine back shapes, but there is only limited research to support this theory. The objective of this study was to compare the total force and pressure distribution patterns on the horse’s back with conventional and treeless saddles. The experimental hypotheses were that the conventional saddle would distribute the force over a larger area with lower mean and maximal pressures than the treeless saddle. Eight horses were ridden by a single rider at sitting trot with conventional and treeless saddles. An electronic pressure mat measured total force, area of saddle contact, maximal pressure and area with mean pressure >11 kPa for 10 strides with each saddle. Univariate ANOVA (P < 0.05) was used to detect differences between saddles. Compared with the treeless saddle, the conventional saddle distributed the rider’s bodyweight over a larger area, had lower mean and maximal pressures and fewer sensors recording mean pressure >11 kPa. These findings suggested that the saddle tree was effective in distributing the weight of the saddle and rider over a larger area and in avoiding localized areas of force concentration.

Abstract: The modifications of Haptoglobin (Hp), Serum Amyloid A (SAA), Fibrinogen (Fbg) and White Blood Cells (WBCs) were evaluated in 15 Saddle Italian horses. Ten horses were transported covering a distance of about 320 km within 4 h with an average speed of 80 km/h (experimental group) and five horses were not subject to transportation (control group). Blood was collected via jugular venipuncture before the transportation (T0), immediately after the transportation (T1), 12 (T12), 24 (T24) and 48 (T48) hours after the transportation in experimental group and at the same time point in control group. For each parameter statistical analysis of different groups and sampling time was performed using a two-way analysis of covariance, with the data before the transportation (T0) as the covariate, by the GLM procedure of SAS. For all parameters the interaction (Group × Time) was tested and it was resulted no significant. The application of statistical analysis showed significant differences between the control group and horses subjected to transportation (P < 0.01), and the influence of sampling time (P < 0.05) on Hp, SAA and WBCs. These modifications appeared to be innovative showing that equine Hp, generally considered as moderate acute phase protein, increases more rapidly than the SAA after transportation-induced stress.