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Menke, C., Waiblinger, S., Fölsch, D. W., & Wiepkema, P. R. (2008). Social Behaviour and Injuries of Horned Cows in Loose Housing Systems. Anim Welfare, 8(3), 243–258.
Abstract: The relationship between social behaviour and skin injuries (caused by horns) of loose housed horned cows was investigated on 35 dairy farms. While the frequencies of two agonistic behaviour elements (push and chase away) were positively correlated with the occurrence of skin injuries, the frequencies of butting and homing were not. Butting appears to have an ambivalent motivation, in that its occurrence is correlated positively both with agonistic behaviour and with social licking. Horning showed a positive correlation with social licking only. Four groups of husbandry conditions that may be associated with the occurrence of social behaviour and of injuries were distinguished: i) herd management, with variables including problem solving management by the farmer, integration of new cows, and dealing with periparturient and oestrus cows; ii) human-animal relationship, with variables including ability to identify individual cows, frequency of brushing the cows, number of milkers, and frequency of personnel changes; iii) animal characteristics, with the variable of herd size; and iv) stable characteristics, with the variable of space per cow (m2). The relevance of the husbandry variables investigated here had been confirmed in a previous stepwise regression analysis (Menke 1996). The variables for herd management and human-animal relationship conditions correlated in a consistent way with the occurrence of agonistic behaviour and/or of injuries, while most of them also correlated in the opposite direction with the occurrence of social licking. Herd size correlated positively with agonistic behaviour, but negatively with social licking. Space per cow correlated negatively with agonistic behaviour and injuries. In more than 70 per cent of the herds investigated, the levels of agonistic behaviour and of skin injuries were low, implying that horned dairy cows can be kept with less risk than is often assumed. We argue that such risks strongly depend on management factors that can be improved.
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Hostikka, S. L., Eddy, R. L., Byers, M. G., Hoyhtya, M., Shows, T. B., & Tryggvason, K. (1990). Identification of a distinct type IV collagen alpha chain with restricted kidney distribution and assignment of its gene to the locus of X chromosome-linked Alport syndrome. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 87(4), 1606–1610.
Abstract: We have identified and extensively characterized a type IV collagen alpha chain, referred to as alpha 5(IV). Four overlapping cDNA clones isolated contain an open reading frame for 543 amino acid residues of the carboxyl-terminal end of a collagenous domain, a 229-residue carboxyl-terminal noncollagenous domain, and 1201 base pairs coding for a 3' untranslated region. The collagenous Gly-Xaa-Yaa repeat sequence has five imperfections that coincide with those in the corresponding region of the alpha 1(IV) chain. The noncollagenous domain has 12 conserved cysteine residues and 83% and 63% sequence identity with the noncollagenous domains of the alpha 1(IV) and alpha 2(IV) chains, respectively. The alpha 5(IV) chain has less sequence identity with the putative bovine alpha 3(IV) and alpha 4(IV) chains. Antiserum against an alpha 5(IV) synthetic peptide stained a polypeptide chain of about 185 kDa by immunoblot analysis and immunolocalization of the chain in human kidney was almost completely restricted to the glomerulus. The gene was assigned to the Xq22 locus by somatic cell hybrids and in situ hybridization. This may be identical or close to the locus of the X chromosome-linked Alport syndrome that is believed to be a type IV collagen disease.
Keywords: Amino Acid Sequence; Base Sequence; Chromosome Mapping; Cloning, Molecular; Collagen/*genetics; Epitopes/analysis; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Gene Library; *Genes; Humans; Immunoblotting; Kidney/cytology/*metabolism; Macromolecular Substances; Molecular Sequence Data; Nephritis, Hereditary/*genetics; Oligopeptides/chemical synthesis/immunology; Placenta/metabolism; Pregnancy; Restriction Mapping; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; *X Chromosome
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Krishnan, A., Gandour, J. T., Ananthakrishnan, S., Bidelman, G. M., & Smalt, C. J. (). Functional ear (a)symmetry in brainstem neural activity relevant to encoding of voice pitch: A precursor for hemispheric specialization? Brain and Language, In Press, Corrected Proof.
Abstract: Pitch processing is lateralized to the right hemisphere; linguistic pitch is further mediated by left cortical areas. This experiment investigates whether ear asymmetries vary in brainstem representation of pitch depending on linguistic status. Brainstem frequency-following responses (FFRs) were elicited by monaural stimulation of the left and right ear of 15 native speakers of Mandarin Chinese using two synthetic speech stimuli that differ in linguistic status of tone. One represented a native lexical tone (Tone 2: T2); the other, T2', a nonnative variant in which the pitch contour was a mirror image of T2 with the same starting and ending frequencies. Two 40-ms portions of f0 contours were selected in order to compare two regions (R1, early; R2 late) differing in pitch acceleration rate and perceptual saliency. In R2, linguistic status effects revealed that T2 exhibited a larger degree of FFR rightward ear asymmetry as reflected in f0 amplitude relative to T2'. Relative to midline (ear asymmetry = 0), the only ear asymmetry reaching significance was that favoring left ear stimulation elicited by T2'. By left- and right-ear stimulation separately, FFRs elicited by T2 were larger than T2' in the right ear only. Within T2', FFRs elicited by the earlier region were larger than the later in both ears. Within T2, no significant differences in FFRS were observed between regions in either ear. Collectively, these findings support the idea that origins of cortical processing preferences for perceptually-salient portions of pitch are rooted in early, preattentive stages of processing in the brainstem.
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Normando, S., Meers, L., Samuels, W. E., Faustini, M., & Ödberg, F. O. (2011). Variables affecting the prevalence of behavioural problems in horses. Can riding style and other management factors be significant? Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci., 133(3-4), 186–198.
Abstract: The effects of riding style and various management factors on the prevalence of stereotypies and other behavioural problems among 346 mixed-breed saddle horses (phase 1) and 101 Arabian horses (phase 2) were analysed through a questionnaire answered by owners. In phase 1, the questionnaire data were partially validated through 20-min observations of 81 (23.3%) of the cases. Results indicate that horses primarily ridden in the English style were reported to be significantly more likely to display stereotypies (p < 0.001), problems when transported (p = 0.001), multiple behavioural problems (p < 0.001), and to have more restrictive stabling (p < 0.001) than horses ridden with other styles. When only Arabian horses were assessed in phase 2, however, there was no significant difference in behavioural problems between the Arabian horses ridden English style versus other riding styles. However Arabian horses were housed less restrictively than horses in phase 1 and English riding style and restrictive stabling tended to exacerbate each other's association with stereotypies. Management-related effects were found when, e.g., horses housed in restrictive stabling were more frequently reported to show locomotion stereotypies (p = 0.02) and those denied ad libitum hay displayed stereotypic wood-chewing behaviour (p = 0.02). To aid diagnosing and prioritizing interventions and care, the most predictive subsets of factors were computed for the various problem behaviours. E.g., among saddle horses, a statistical model comprised of the main riding style, duration of access to a paddock, and horse's age predicted whether a horse was reported to display any behavioural problem 62% of the time. This study supports the effects of management and handling on the prevalence of behavioural problems, and helps prioritize the relative importance of broad management categories on equine welfare. In particular, it underscores the importance of riding style on the well-being of saddle horses.
Keywords: Horse; Management; Problem behaviour; Riding style; Saddle; Stereotypies
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Menke, C., Waiblinger, S., Foelsch, D. W., & Wiepkema, P. R. (1999). Social Behaviour and Injuries of Horned Cows in Loose Housing Systems. Anim Welfare, 8(3), 243–258.
Abstract: The relationship between social behaviour and skin injuries (caused by horns) of loose housed horned cows was investigated on 35 dairy farms. While the frequencies of two agonistic behaviour elements (push and chase away) were positively correlated with the occurrence of skin injuries, the frequencies of butting and homing were not. Butting appears to have an ambivalent motivation, in that its occurrence is correlated positively both with agonistic behaviour and with social licking. Horning showed a positive correlation with social licking only. Four groups of husbandry conditions that may be associated with the occurrence of social behaviour and of injuries were distinguished: i) herd management, with variables including problem solving management by the farmer, integration of new cows, and dealing with periparturient and oestrus cows; ii) human-animal relationship, with variables including ability to identify individual cows, frequency of brushing the cows, number of milkers, and frequency of personnel changes; iii) animal characteristics, with the variable of herd size; and iv) stable characteristics, with the variable of space per cow (m2). The relevance of the husbandry variables investigated here had been confirmed in a previous stepwise regression analysis (Menke 1996). The variables for herd management and human-animal relationship conditions correlated in a consistent way with the occurrence of agonistic behaviour and/or of injuries, while most of them also correlated in the opposite direction with the occurrence of social licking. Herd size correlated positively with agonistic behaviour, but negatively with social licking. Space per cow correlated negatively with agonistic behaviour and injuries. In more than 70 per cent of the herds investigated, the levels of agonistic behaviour and of skin injuries were low, implying that horned dairy cows can be kept with less risk than is often assumed. We argue that such risks strongly depend on management factors that can be improved.
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Fureix, C., Bourjade, M., Henry, S., Sankey, C., & Hausberger, M. (2012). Exploring aggression regulation in managed groups of horses Equus caballus. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci., 138(3–4), 216–228.
Abstract: Horses are highly social animals that have evolved to live in social groups. However, in modern husbandry systems, single housing prevails where horses experience social isolation, a challenge-to-welfare factor. One major reason for this single housing is the owners’ concerns that horses may injure each other during aggressive encounters. However, in natural conditions, serious injuries due to aggressive encounters are rare. What could therefore explain the claimed risks of group living for domestic horses? Basing our questioning on the current knowledge of the social life of horses in natural conditions, we review different practices that may lead to higher levels of aggression in horses and propose practical solutions. Observations of natural and feral horses mostly indicate a predominance of low frequencies and mild forms of aggression, based on subtle communication signals and ritualized displays and made possible by group stability (i.e. stable composition), dominance hierarchy and learning of appropriate social skills by young horses. Obviously, adults play a major role here in canalizing undesirable behaviours, and social experience during development, associated with a diversity of social partners, seems to be a prerequisite for the young horse to become socially skilled. Given the natural propensity of horses to have a regulation of aggression in groups, the tendency to display more aggression in groups of domestic horses under some management practices seems clearly related to the conditions offered. We therefore review the managing practices that could trigger aggressiveness in horses. Non social practices (space, resource availability) and social practices (group size, stability of membership, composition and opportunities for social experiences during development) in groups of domestic horses are discussed here. Finally, we propose simple practical solutions leading to more peaceful interactions in groups of domestic horses, based on the knowledge of horses’ natural social life which therefore should be enhanced (e.g. ensuring roughage availability, favouring group stability, introducing socially experienced adults in groups of young horses, etc.). The state of the art indicates that many questions still need to be answered. Given the importance of the associated welfare issues and the consequences on the use of horses, further research is required, which could benefit horses… and humans.
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Flauger, B., & Krueger, K. (2013). Aggressionslevel und Platzangebot bei Pferden (Equus caballus) [ Aggression level and enclosure size in horses (Equus caballus)]. Pferdeheilkunde, 29(4), 495–504.
Abstract: Viele Pferdebesitzer bevorzugen aus Angst vor aggressiven Interaktionen und Verletzungsgefahr der Tiere untereinander die Einzelhaltung, obwohl von Tierschutzorganisationen die Gruppenhaltung für Pferde empfohlen wird. In dieser Studie beobachteten wir während des alltäglichen Soziallebens als auch bei der Eingliederung von neuen Gruppenmitgliedern das Sozialverhalten, insbesondere das Aggressionsverhalten, von elf Gruppen domestizierter Pferde (Equus caballus) verschiedener Größe und Zusammensetzung. Während des alltäglichen Soziallebens hatten die Gruppe und der Paddock-Typ (Gras / kein Gras) keinen Einfluss auf die Verhaltensweisen, wohingegen die Paddockgröße unter 10000 m2 einen signifikanten Einfluss auf die submissiven Verhaltensweisen (GzLM; n=56; t=-2.061, P=0.044) und einen nicht signifikanten Einfluss auf die aggressiven Verhaltensweisen (GzLM; n=56; t=-1.782, P=0.081) hatte. Allerdings verringerten sich sowohl die aggressiven als auch die submissiven Verhaltensweisen mit steigendem Platzangebot bis zu 10000 m2 (Spearman rank Korrelation; n=56; aggressive Verhaltensweisen: r = -0.313, P = 0.019; submissive Verhaltensweisen: r = -0.328, P = 0.014). Während den Eingliederungen reduzierten sich die Aggressionen pro Stunde mit der Vergrößerung des Platzangebotes (Spearman rank Korrelation; n=28; r=-0.402, P=0.034). Dies zeigte sich noch deutlicher, wenn Beobachtungen mit einem Platzangebot von über 10000 m2 ausgeschlos- sen wurden (Spearman rank Korrelation; n=23; r=-0.549, P=0.007). Während des alltäglichen Soziallebens näherte sich der Aggressionslevel der Nulllinie an, wenn das Platzangebot pro Pferd mehr als 331 m2 betrug. Deshalb empfehlen wir zur Reduzierung des Aggressionslevels und des Verletzungsrisikos von sozial gehaltenen Pferdegruppen ein Platzangebot von mindestens 331 m2 pro Pferd.
[Even though animal welfare organisations propose group housing for horse welfare, many owners stable horses individually for fear of aggressive interactions and injury risks. In the present study we observed social behaviour, and especially aggressiveness, in eleven domestic horse groups (Equus caballus) of different size and composition, in basic social situations and when new group members were introduced. During basic social situations, the group and the type of paddock (grass / no grass) had no effect on any of the behaviours, where- as the enclosure size below 10,000 m2 had a significant effect on submissive behaviour (GzLM; n=56; t=-2.061, P=0.044) and an insignificant effect on aggressive behaviour (GzLM; n=56; t=-1.782, P=0.081). However, aggressive and submissive behaviour dimi- nished with the increase of enclosure sizes up to 10,000 m2 (Spearman rank correlation; n = 56; aggressive behaviour: r = -0.313, P=0.019; submissive behaviour: r=-0.328, P=0.014). During introductions, aggression levels per hour decreased with any increase of enclosure size (Spearman rank correlation; n=28; r=-0.402, P=0.034) and even more when enclosure sizes above 10,000 m2 were excluded (Spearman rank correlation; n=23; r=-0.549, P=0.007). During basic social situations the aggression level approached zero when the space allowance was more than 331 m2 per horse. We therefore recommend keeping horse groups in an enclosure with at least 331 m2 per horse to reduce aggression and injuries.] |
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Gibbs, P. G., & Cohen, N. D. (2001). Early management of race-bred weanlings and yearlings on farms. J. Equine Vet. Sci., 21(6), 279–283.
Abstract: A total of 58 Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse farms
that managed 1,987 weanlings and yearlings responded to a survey designed to better characterize early management of racing prospects. Average age at weaning was 5.5 months and over half of all farms kept almost three-fourths of all weanlings to be placed in pre-race training. Variation in feeding practices was evident and while well over half of all farms provided balanced nutrient supply to young horses, 20% to 40% likely fed unbalanced diets. An obvious preference existed for semi-confinement in young horses with plenty of free exercise. The majority of farms reported that young prospects were fed and managed for a moderate rate of growth. Forced exercise occurred to a much larger extent with yearlings than weanlings and 40% of farms described the footing as soft, but not deep. Response to the prevalence of developmental orthopedic diseases appeared somewhat guarded, and average injury rate was low on farms that attributed much of injury to horses playing too hard. Technological advancements such as photoperiod manipulation in broodmares were widely used, while valuable tools such as body condition scoring were utilized to a lesser extent. |
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Zeitler-Feicht, M. H., Streit, S., & Dempfle, L. (2010). Automatic feeding systems for horses in group housing systems with regard to animal welfare. Part 1: Feeding stalls versus automatic feeding systems. Tierärztl Prax, 38(G), 363–370.
Abstract: Gegenstand und Ziel: Überprüfung der Tiergerechtheit von Abrufstationen
für Kraftfutter und Heu in der Gruppenhaltung von Pferden anhand ethologischer und physiologischer Parameter im Vergleich zu konventionellen Fressständen. Material und Methoden: Die Verhaltensbeobachtungen fanden in 11 bzw. 10 Offenlaufställen mit Abrufstationen bzw. Fressständen statt. 270 Pferde wurden individuell unterschieden. Untersuchungsparameter waren: Drohverhalten mit und ohne Verletzungsrisiko, Meideverhalten, Verdrängung aus dem Fressstand sowie Herzfrequenz und Integumentverletzungen. In jedem Betrieb erfolgten kontinuierliche Direktbeobachtungen für je einen 24-Stunden-Tag (Tortenstückverfahren). Ergebnisse: Im Wartebereich der Abrufautomaten traten signifikant mehr Drohgesten ohne bzw. mit Verletzungsgefahr je Pferd und Tag (8,6 bzw. 3,0) auf als im Wartebereich der Fressstände (3,4 bzw. 0,9). Demgegenüber konnten die Pferde in Abrufstationen (1,4 Drohgesten je Pferd und Tag) ungestörter fressen als in Fressständen (3,2 Drohgesten je Pferd und Tag). Insgesamt betrachtet ergab sich jedoch bei beiden Fütterungssystemen eine geringe Anzahl an sozionegativen Interaktionen im Bereich der Futtereinrichtungen. Die Herzfrequenz lag im Warteareal im Durchschnitt im physiologischen Bereich (44,59 ± 11,73 Schläge/min). Integumentverletzungen im Zusammenhang mit dem Fütterungssystem traten nicht auf. Der wichtigste Einflussfaktor auf die Untersuchungskriterien war der Betrieb (Fläche, Konzeption, Management). Schlussfolgerung: Unter dem Aspekt der Tiergerechtheit hinsichtlich des Stress- und Verletzungsrisikos durch soziale Interaktionen eignen sich bei ordnungsgemäßer Gruppenhaltung mit fachgerechtem Management sowohl Fressstände als auch Abrufstationen für Pferde im Offenlaufstall. [Objective: A comparison with regard to animal welfare of feeding stalls and automatic feeding systems for hay and concentrates in group housing systems for horses using parameters of ethology and physiology. Material and method: The observations of animal behaviour took place in 10 stables with feeding stalls and in 11 stables with automatic feeding systems. The field around the feeding systems was divided into three areas with comparable dimensions (waiting area, exit area and inside of the feeding system). 270 horses were individually observed. Parameters of research comprised: threatening behaviour with and without risk of injury, avoiding behaviour, ”chasing away from the feeding place”, as well as heart rate and injuries of the integument. Every group of horses was continuously observed for 24 hours. This observation took place on four different days and comprised six sessions, each of 4 hours. Results: In the waiting area of the automatic systems there were significantly more threatening gestures with and without risk of injuries for each horse and day (8.6 and 3.0, respectively) than in the waiting area of the feeding stalls. In contrast, the horses could eat more relaxed in the automatic systems (1.4 threatening gestures for each horse and day) than in the feeding stalls (3.2 threatening gestures for each horse and day). All together the number of negative interactions in the feeding area of both feeding systems was relatively low. The heart rate was within the physiological range (44,59 ± 11,73 beats/min) in the waiting area. There were no injuries of the integument in correlation with the feeding systems. The most important factor of the observation criteria was the individual group housing system with its different dimension, conception and management. Conclusion: Under the aspect of animal welfare both feeding systems are suitable for horses with respect to the risk of stress and injuries by social interactions and under the condition of proper group housing with professional management.] |
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Benz, B., Münzing, C., Krueger, K., & Winter, D. (2014). Ethologische Untersuchung von Heuraufen in der Pferdehaltung [Ethological investigation of hayracks in equine husbandry]. Landtechnik, 69(5), 239–244.
Abstract: Eine tiergerechte, physiologisch und anatomisch auf die Bedürfnisse der Pferde ausgerichtete
Raufutterversorgung sollte die Kaubedürfnisse und die Beschäftigungszeiten von Pferden ausreichend berücksichtigen. Daher – und auch aufgrund des bestehenden Kostendrucks bei Raufutter – steigt das Interesse an Raufutterraufen, durch die möglicherweise die Futteraufnahmezeiten verlängert sowie Futterverluste minimiert werden können. Die vorliegende Untersuchung vergleicht das Fressverhalten und die Körperhaltung von acht Pferden beim Einsatz von drei unterschiedlichen Futterraufen mit der Bodenfütterung in Einzelboxenhaltung. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie lassen den Schluss zu, dass der Einsatz von Raufutterraufen die Futteraufnahmezeiten verlängert und somit längere Beschäftigungszeiten für die Futteraufnahme gewährleistet werden. Außerdem konnte festgestellt werden, dass die Pferde das Raufutter bei einer der drei untersuchten Raufen überwiegend mit natürlicher Kopf- Hals-Haltung aufnahmen. [Regarding the species horse, an appropriate supply of roughage should take into account the need to chew as well as the need for occupation. In this context, and due to the current cost pressure for hay, the interest in roughage racks increases. It is assumed that roughage racks could help to extend the feeding time and reduce food losses. The present study places the emphasis on the observation of the feeding behaviour of eight horses in single horse boxes. Three different roughage racks are compared to traditional feeding on the floor. On the basis of the results it may be concluded that the use of roughage racks extends the feeding time and thus ensures longer occupation. In one of the three roughage racks investigated the horses mainly eat in a natural posture of their head and neck.] |