Graf, P., Schneider, T., KönigvonBorstel, U., & Gauly M. (2013). Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse einer objektivierten Temperamentbeurteilung bei Pferden [Economic evaluation of an objective temperament assessment in horses]. Züchtungskunde, 85(2), 129–142.
Abstract: Das Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war die Ermittlung der Kosten eines Verhaltenstests zur
objektiven Temperamentbeurteilung. Sie wurde an 1028 Pferden auf 55 Zuchtveranstaltungen
und Privatbetrieben ermittelt.
Weiterhin wurde eine Befragung zur allgemeinen Akzeptanz einer solchen Beurteilung
bei Reitpferden durchgeführt. Zusätzlich wurde mit Hilfe einer Online-Umfrage die
Meinung zu den Kosten und dem Aufwand einer solchen Beurteilung ermittelt. Die
Kosten der Einführung einer objektiven Temperamentbeurteilung entsprechen nach Einbeziehung
aller Faktoren ca. 18 Euro je Pferd. Den Kosten steht die Zahlungsbereitschaft
für eine verbesserte, da objektivierte Temperamentbeurteilung gegenüber. Insgesamt
56,7% der Befragten wären bereit, mehr als 11 Euro für eine objektive Interieurbeurteilung
auf Leistungsprüfungen im Feld zu investieren. Im Rahmen von Stationsprüfungen
wären sie sogar bereit mehr als 30 Euro aufzuwenden. Die Wertsteigerung eines im
Rahmen des Verfahrens positiv bewerteten Pferdes um 5%, die von den Teilnehmern der
Umfrage durchschnittlich angenommen wird, würde zusätzlich den Gewinn beim Pferdeverkauf
steigern. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Kosten einer objektiven Temperamentbeurteilung
durch eine erhöhte Zahlungsbereitschaft der Käufer scheinbar kompensiert
werden können, so dass die Einführung eines Temperamenttests zur objektiven Interieurbeurteilung
in Form der vorgestellten Untersuchungen grundsätzlich finanzierbar ist.
[The aim of the present study was to assess costs as well as riders’ acceptance of an
objective temperament evaluation in riding horses. Costs were determined based on a
novel object test conducted in 1028 horses tested on 65 occasions during performance
tests or in private stables. In addition, an online survey was used to identify riders’
opinion about the costs and benefits of such an assessment. Based on the conditions
assumed in the present study the costs for temperament testing have amount 18 Euro per
horse. More than 50% of the respondents were willing to pay more than 11 Euro for an
objective temperament assessment in their horses during performance tests in field.
Within performance tests on station they would spend more than 30 Euro for an objective temperament assessment. Participants further assumed a rise in value of favourably
assessed horses by 5%, leading to increased profits when selling the horse. In conclusion,
riders appear to be willing to cover the additional costs accrued from the temperament
test. Therefore, the introduction of an objective temperament assessment is likely to pay
off.]
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Ramos, D., Reche-Junior, A., Fragoso, P. L., Palme, R., Yanasse, N. K., Gouvêa, V. R., et al. (2013). Are cats (Felis catus) from multi-cat households more stressed? Evidence from assessment of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite analysis. Physiol. Behav., 122, 72–75.
Abstract: Abstract Given the social and territorial features described in feral cats, it is commonly assumed that life in multi-cat households is stressful for domestic cats and suggested that cats kept as single pets are likely to have better welfare. On the other hand, it has been hypothesized that under high densities cats can organize themselves socially thus preventing stress when spatial dispersion is unavailable. This study was aimed at comparing the general arousal underpinning emotional distress in single housed cats and in cats from multi-cat households (2 and 3–4 cats) on the basis of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (GCM) measured via enzyme immunoassay (EIA). GCM did not significantly vary as a function of living style (single, double or group-housing); highly stressed individuals were equally likely in the three groups. Young cats in multi-cat households had lower GCM, and overall cats that tolerate (as opposed to dislike) petting by the owners tended to have higher GCM levels. Other environmental aspects within cat houses (e.g. relationship with humans, resource availability) may play a more important role in day to day feline arousal levels than the number of cats per se.
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GONÇALVES DA SILVA, A., CAMPOS-ARCEIZ, A., & ZAVADA, M. S. (2013). On tapir ecology, evolution and conservation: what we know and future perspectives–part II. Integrative Zoology, 8(1), 1–3.
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Becker-Birck, M., Schmidt, A., Wulf, M., Aurich, J., von der Wense, A., Möstl, E., et al. (2013). Cortisol release, heart rate and heart rate variability, and superficial body temperature, in horses lunged either with hyperflexion of the neck or with an extended head and neck position. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 97(2), 322–330.
Abstract: Bringing the head and neck of ridden horses into a position of hyperflexion is widely used in equestrian sports. In our study, the hypothesis was tested that hyperflexion is an acute stressor for horses. Salivary cortisol concentrations, heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV) and superficial body temperature were determined in horses (n = 16) lunged on two subsequent days. The head and neck of the horse was fixed with side reins in a position allowing forward extension on day A and fixed in hyperflexion on day B. The order of treatments alternated between horses. In response to lunging, cortisol concentration increased (day A from 0.73 ± 0.06 to 1.41 ± 0.13 ng/ml, p < 0.001; day B from 0.68 ± 0.07 to 1.38 ± 0.13 ng/ml, p < 0.001) but did not differ between days A and B. Beat-to-beat (RR) interval decreased in response to lunging on both days. HRV variables standard deviation of RR interval (SDRR) and RMSSD (root mean square of successive RR differences) decreased (p < 0.001) but did not differ between days. In the cranial region of the neck, the difference between maximum and minimum temperature was increased in hyperflexion (p < 0.01). In conclusion, physiological parameters do not indicate an acute stress response to hyperflexion of the head alone in horses lunged at moderate speed and not touched with the whip. However, if hyperflexion is combined with active intervention of a rider, a stressful experience for the horse cannot be excluded.
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López-Bao, J. V., Sazatornil, V., Llaneza, L., & Rodríguez, A. (2013). Indirect Effects on Heathland Conservation and Wolf Persistence of Contradictory Policies that Threaten Traditional Free-Ranging Horse Husbandry. Conservation Letters, 6(6), 448–455.
Abstract: Conservation agencies within the European Union promote the restoration of traditional land uses as a cost-effective way to preserve biodiversity outside reserves. Although the European Union pursues the integration of the environment into strategic decision-making, it also dictates sectoral policies that may damage farmland biodiversity. We illustrate this point by outlining the socioeconomic factors that allow the persistence of traditional free-ranging horse husbandry in Galicia, northwestern Spain. Free-ranging Galician mountain ponies provide ecological and socioeconomic services including the prevention of forest fires, the maintenance of heathlands and wolves, and the attenuation of wolf-human conflicts. This traditional livestock system may have persisted because it entails negligible costs for farmers. Wolf predation upon Galician mountain ponies does not threaten farmer's economies and seems to be tolerated better than attacks to more valuable stock. Recently, European Union's regulations on animal welfare, carcass management, or meat production put new economic and administrative burdens on farmers, make free-ranging horse rearing economically unsustainable, and incentivize its abandonment. The aim of the European Union to integrate environmental policies may be successful to preserve farmland biodiversity only through careful anticipation of the side effects of apparently unrelated regulations on the fragile equilibrium that sustain traditional land uses.
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Petersen, J. L., Mickelson, J. R., Cothran, E. G., Andersson, L. S., Axelsson, J., Bailey, E., et al. (2013). Genetic Diversity in the Modern Horse Illustrated from Genome-Wide SNP Data. Plos One, 8(1), e54997.
Abstract: Horses were domesticated from the Eurasian steppes 5,000-6,000 years ago. Since then, the use of horses for transportation, warfare, and agriculture, as well as selection for desired traits and fitness, has resulted in diverse populations distributed across the world, many of which have become or are in the process of becoming formally organized into closed, breeding populations (breeds). This report describes the use of a genome-wide set of autosomal SNPs and 814 horses from 36 breeds to provide the first detailed description of equine breed diversity. FST calculations, parsimony, and distance analysis demonstrated relationships among the breeds that largely reflect geographic origins and known breed histories. Low levels of population divergence were observed between breeds that are relatively early on in the process of breed development, and between those with high levels of within-breed diversity, whether due to large population size, ongoing outcrossing, or large within-breed phenotypic diversity. Populations with low within-breed diversity included those which have experienced population bottlenecks, have been under intense selective pressure, or are closed populations with long breed histories. These results provide new insights into the relationships among and the diversity within breeds of horses. In addition these results will facilitate future genome-wide association studies and investigations into genomic targets of selection.
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Pirault, P., Danvy, S., Verrier, E., & Leroy, G. (2013). Genetic Structure and Gene Flows within Horses: A Genealogical Study at the French Population Scale. Plos One, 8(4), e61544.
Abstract: Since horse breeds constitute populations submitted to variable and multiple outcrossing events, we analyzed the genetic structure and gene flows considering horses raised in France. We used genealogical data, with a reference population of 547,620 horses born in France between 2002 and 2011, grouped according to 55 breed origins. On average, individuals had 6.3 equivalent generations known. Considering different population levels, fixation index decreased from an overall species FIT of 1.37%, to an average of -0.07% when considering the 55 origins, showing that most horse breeds constitute populations without genetic structure. We illustrate the complexity of gene flows existing among horse breeds, a few populations being closed to foreign influence, most, however, being submitted to various levels of introgression. In particular, Thoroughbred and Arab breeds are largely used as introgression sources, since those two populations explain together 26% of founder origins within the overall horse population. When compared with molecular data, breeds with a small level of coancestry also showed low genetic distance; the gene pool of the breeds was probably impacted by their reproducer exchanges.
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Stanley, C. R., & Dunbar, R. I. M. (2013). Consistent social structure and optimal clique size revealed by social network analysis of feral goats, Capra hircus. Anim Behav, 85.
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Baciadonna, L., McElligott, A. G., & Briefer, E. F. (2013). Goats favour personal over social information in an experimental foraging task. Peer J, 1.
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Briefer, E. F., & McElligott, A. G. (2013). Rescued goats at a sanctuary display positive mood after former neglect. Appl Anim Behav Sci, 146.
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