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Hoppitt, W., & Laland, K. N. (2008). Social processes influencing learning in animals: a review of the evidence. Adv Study Behav, 38, 105–165. |
Langbein, J., Siebert, K., & Nuernberg, G. (2008). Concurrent recall of serially learned visual discrimination problems in dwarf goats (Capra hircus). Behav Proc, 79. |
Dugnol, B., Fernández, C., Galiano, G., & Velasco, J. (2008). On a chirplet transform-based method applied to separating and counting wolf howls. Signal Process, 88. |
Richards, D. G., & Wiley, R. H. (2008). Reverberations and Amplitude Fluctuations in the Propagation of Sound in a Forest: Implications for Animal Communication. Am Nat, 115. |
Sueur, J., Aubin, T., & Simonis, C. (2008). Seewave: a free modular tool for sound analysis and synthesis. Bioacoustics, 18. |
Visser, E. K., Ellis, A. D., & Van Reenen, C. G. (2008). The effect of two different housing conditions on the welfare of young horses stabled for the first time. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 114(3), 521–533.
Abstract: The effect of stabling for the first time on the behaviour and welfare of young and naïve horses has not yet been studied in detail. In this study we examined the effect of two typical housing systems on their subsequent behavioural and physiological responses upon first time stabling. Thirty-six 2-year-old Dutch warmbloods, 18 geldings and 18 mares were included in the study. Half of the horses were stabled in individual stables (10.5m2) and the other half in pair housing (48m2 for two horses). The study lasted 12 weeks. At the end of the study the physiological and temperamental responses of the horses on the different treatments was tested using a CRF challenge test (to test the HPA-axis function) and a Novel Object test (to test temperamental differences) respectively. Especially in the first week after stabling pair housed horses spent more time eating whereas individually housed horses spent more time either standing vigilant or sleeping. Stress-related behaviours like neighing, pawing, nibbling and snorting were all displayed significantly more frequently in the individually housed horses (P<0.01). At the end of the study 67% of the individually housed horses was seen performing one or more stereotypies (P<0.01). The cortisol response and ACTH response on the CRF challenge test were lower for horses in the individually housed boxes. It is suggested that this depression in socially isolated animals is caused by a desensitisation of the HPA axis in response to stress-induced elevations in ACTH and cortisol. In general there was no effect of the treatment on the reactivity of the horses during the Novel Object test. However, there were significant relations between the responses of horses in the Novel Object test and in the stable environment. It is concluded that sudden isolated stabling is stressful to young and naïve horses, resulting in a high prevalence of stereotypies and abnormal behaviours. This study also provided some support for the notion that social stress in horses may be associated with a blunted adrenocortical response to CRF challenge. The finding that responses of horses to a behavioural test are correlated with home environment behaviours suggests that individual horses exhibit consistent behavioural traits across different contexts, and opens the possibility of using behavioural tests in horses to predict more general underlying behavioural characteristics.
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Dwan, K., Altman, D. G., Arnaiz, J. A., Bloom, J., Chan, A. - W., Cronin, E., et al. (2008). Systematic Review of the Empirical Evidence of Study Publication Bias and Outcome Reporting Bias. Plos One, 3(8), e3081.
Abstract: Background The increased use of meta-analysis in systematic reviews of healthcare interventions has highlighted several types of bias that can arise during the completion of a randomised controlled trial. Study publication bias has been recognised as a potential threat to the validity of meta-analysis and can make the readily available evidence unreliable for decision making. Until recently, outcome reporting bias has received less attention. Methodology/Principal Findings We review and summarise the evidence from a series of cohort studies that have assessed study publication bias and outcome reporting bias in randomised controlled trials. Sixteen studies were eligible of which only two followed the cohort all the way through from protocol approval to information regarding publication of outcomes. Eleven of the studies investigated study publication bias and five investigated outcome reporting bias. Three studies have found that statistically significant outcomes had a higher odds of being fully reported compared to non-significant outcomes (range of odds ratios: 2.2 to 4.7). In comparing trial publications to protocols, we found that 40-62% of studies had at least one primary outcome that was changed, introduced, or omitted. We decided not to undertake meta-analysis due to the differences between studies. Conclusions Recent work provides direct empirical evidence for the existence of study publication bias and outcome reporting bias. There is strong evidence of an association between significant results and publication; studies that report positive or significant results are more likely to be published and outcomes that are statistically significant have higher odds of being fully reported. Publications have been found to be inconsistent with their protocols. Researchers need to be aware of the problems of both types of bias and efforts should be concentrated on improving the reporting of trials.
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Bussières, G., Jacques, C., Lainay, O., Beauchamp, G., Leblond, A., Cadoré, J. - L., et al. (2008). Development of a composite orthopaedic pain scale in horses. Research in Veterinary Science, 85(2), 294–306.
Abstract: This study addresses development and validation of a composite multifactorial pain scale (CPS) in an experimental equine model of acute orthopaedic pain. Eighteen horses were allocated to control (sedation with/without epidural analgesia – mixture of morphine, ropivacaine, detomidine and ketamine) and experimental groups: amphotericin-B injection in the tarsocrural joint induced pain and analgesia was either i.v. phenylbutazone administered post-induction of synovitis, or pre-emptive epidural mixture, or a pre-emptive combination of the 2. Inter- and intra-observer reproducibility was good (0.8<K<1). The key specific and sensitive behavioural indices were response to palpation of the painful area, posture, and, of lesser value, pawing on the floor, kicking at abdomen and head movement. Of particular interest was the statistical correlation observed between the CPS and both non-invasive blood pressure (P<0.0001) and blood cortisol (P<0.002). This study established the value of some behavioural and physiological criteria in determining equine orthopaedic pain intensity and clearly demonstrated that pre-emptive, multimodal analgesia provided better management than the two other protocols tested.
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Björk, N. (2008). Is it possible to measure the welfare of the ridden horse? Bachelor's thesis, , .
Abstract: Since the time of domestication, humans have trained horses for the purpose of serving man. Different training methods have been developed throughout the centuries; some were developed with consideration for the horse's welfare, while others disregarded welfare to a great extent. Most present day training is based upon making the horse perform a desired behaviour through dominance and subordination. Although cooperative training techniques have gained popularity, everyday training lacks the application of learning theory or neglects the horse's learning capacities and their species' specific behaviour. Thus, the horse's welfare may be jeopardised.
The aim with this review is to consider methods that allow an objective assessment of the welfare of horses undergoing training. The review gives a brief insight into the history of horse training and handling. It proceeds with an overview of the horse"s learning abilities which is argued to be of paramount importance for effective training. The review then describes a few selected training techniques that are used today, based on negative and positive reinforcement, and discusses parameters from which it could be possible to assess the welfare of the ridden horse. The work concludes with suggestion for future |
Hoffmann, & G. (2008). Bewegungsaktivität und Stressbelastung bei Pferden in Auslaufhaltungssystemen mit verschiedenen Bewegungsangeboten.
Abstract: Pferdehaltungssysteme mit angrenzenden Ausläufen gelten als eine sehr tiergerechte
Haltungsform, da sie den Tieren eine gewisse Bewegungsmöglichkeit bieten. Ziel der vorliegenden Untersuchung war es, zu erfassen, ob der angrenzende Auslauf selbst einen ausreichenden Anreiz zur Bewegung darstellt und wie sich verschiedene Bewegungs- und Platzangebote auf die Bewegungsaktivität von Pferden in einer Gruppen-Auslaufhaltung auswirken. Zudem wurde ermittelt, welche Auswirkung die Bewegungsform bzw. –intensität auf das Wohlbefinden der Tiere hat. Der Großteil der in Deutschland gehaltenen Pferde verbringt die meiste Zeit des Tages im Stall, obwohl mittlerweile bekannt ist, dass Pferde unter natürlichen Haltungsbedingungen 12 bis 16 Stunden des Tages in Bewegung verbringen. Der Optimierung der Stallhaltungssysteme gilt daher ein besonderes Interesse. Zu diesem Zweck wurden von September 2004 bis Oktober 2005 Versuche mit 24 Warmblutstuten im Alter von 1½ bis 3½ Jahren in Einzel- und Gruppen- Auslaufhaltungssystemen durchgeführt. Jeweils sechs Pferde bildeten eine Versuchsgruppe. In jeder Gruppe fanden fünf Varianten von einer ca. dreiwöchigen Dauer statt. Die Gruppenhaltung wurde dabei durch drei unterschiedliche Zusatzbewegungsangebote (2 Std. Weide / Tag, 2 Std. unbegrünte Koppel / Tag, 1 Std. Freilauf- Führanlage / Tag) ergänzt. In der Einzel-Auslaufhaltung (Box mit 45 m²-großem angrenzenden Auslauf) und in einer Versuchsvariante der Gruppenhaltung bekamen die Pferde hingegen keine zusätzliche Bewegung außerhalb des Stallhaltungssystems angeboten. Das Gruppenhaltungssystem selbst war durch die räumliche Trennung der Funktionsbereiche (Liegen, Fressen, Trinken, Bewegen) gekennzeichnet und der angrenzende Auslauf war 270 m² groß. In einer zusätzlichen Versuchsphase fand in der Gruppenhaltung eine Erweiterung des permanent zugänglichen Auslaufs auf insg. 540 m² statt. Die Bewegungsaktivität wurde mit Pedometern erfasst, die an jeweils einem Hinterbein der Pferde befestigt wurden und ergänzend fand eine Analyse von Videoaufzeichnungen statt. Zur Beurteilung der Stressbelastung fanden Messungen der Herz192 Zusammenfassung frequenzvariabilität (Parameter HF und SD2) und der fäkalen Cortisolmetabolitenkonzentration statt. Die Auswertung des Bewegungsverhaltens ergab, dass eine zusätzliche zweistündige freie Bewegung der Pferdegruppe auf einer Weide zu einer deutlichen Steigerung der durchschnittlichen Bewegungsaktivität (149,6 Min. / Tag) führt, ebenso wie eine einstündige Bewegung in einer Führanlage (173,0 Min. / Tag). Eine unbegrünte Koppel regte die Pferde der Gruppenhaltung hingegen nicht zu vermehrter Bewegung an (131,6 Min. / Tag), sondern bewirkte z. T. sogar eine Abnahme der Bewegungsaktivität. In der Gruppen-Auslaufhaltung ohne zusätzliches Bewegungsangebot war die Bewegungsaktivität ebenfalls gering (125,8 Min / Tag) und während der Einzel-Auslaufhaltung ohne Zusatzbewegung zeigten die Pferde die geringste Bewegungsaktivität (102,3 Min. / Tag). Bei der alleinigen Analyse der Bewegungszeit im Stallhaltungssystem war kein signifikanter Einfluss der zusätzlichen Bewegung außerhalb des Stallsystems auf die übrige Fortbewegung feststellbar. Auch eine Vergrößerung des an den Stall angrenzenden Auslaufs im Gruppenhaltungssystem hatte keinen steigernden Einfluss auf das Bewegungsverhalten der Pferde. Die Stressbelastung der Pferde war in den Varianten der Gruppenhaltung mit zweistündigem Weidegang (SD2: 82,9 ms; Cortisolmetaboliten: 29,0 nmol / kg Kot) sowie der einstündigen Bewegung in einer Freilauf-Führanlage (SD2: 99,2 ms; Cortisolmetaboliten: 27,7 nmol / kg Kot) am geringsten. Die Untersuchungen zeigten eine Stresszunahme in der Gruppenhaltung mit zweistündigem Auslauf auf einer unbegrünten Koppel ohne Futterangebot (SD2: 101,3 ms; Cortisolmetaboliten: 39,6 nmol / kg Kot) sowie in der Variante der Gruppenhaltung ohne zusätzliches Bewegungsangebot (SD2: 113,3 ms; Cortisolmetaboliten: 38,4 nmol / kg Kot). Dem Mittelwert der Gruppe nach zu folgern hatten die Pferde während der Einzelhaltung ohne Zusatzbewegung eine sehr große Stressbelastung (SD2: 123,8 ms; Cortisolmetaboliten: 37,5 nmol / kg Kot). Ein Vergleich der Gruppen- und Einzelhaltung hinsichtlich der Herzfrequenzvariabilität hat jedoch gezeigt, dass insg. 70 % der Pferde während der Haltung in einer Gruppe weniger Stress empfinden. Es gab aber auch Zusammenfassung 193 Pferde (30 %), die in der Einzelhaltung eine abnehmende Stressbelastung zeigten, wobei hier der Einfluss der Rangordnung eine entscheidende Rolle zu spielen scheint. Durch die Auswertung mehrerer Messparameter (sowohl für Stress- als auch für Bewegungsverhalten) werden gleichgerichtete Tendenzen bei den Versuchsvarianten deutlich, allerdings ist eine eindeutige Gewichtung der Parameter nicht möglich. Somit ist die methodische Vorgehensweise dieser Untersuchung sehr positiv und als notwendig anzusehen, da die Messdaten auch immer gewissen Schwankungen durch externe Einflüsse unterliegen. Allgemein ist festzuhalten, dass Auslaufhaltungssysteme zwar eine gewisse Anregung zur Bewegung bieten, aber mit maximal vier Stunden (insg. 62 – 248 Min.) Bewegung pro Tag war der tägliche Anteil an Bewegung sehr viel geringer als beispielsweise bei Pferden in freier Wildbahn oder ganzjähriger Weidehaltung. Somit deckt ein Auslaufhaltungssystem trotz getrennter Funktionsbereiche und eines großen Auslaufs nicht den Bewegungsbedarf der Pferde, wenn keine zusätzlichen Bewegungsanreize und –möglichkeiten angeboten werden. Eine zusätzliche Bewegung von Pferden ist nicht nur zur Gesunderhaltung des Bewegungsapparates und der Körperfunktionen notwendig, sondern auch um das Wohlbefinden und die Ausgeglichenheit der Pferde zu steigern. [Horse husbandry systems with close-by discharge are considered to be a very livestock- friendly housing form, as they offer a certain movement opportunity for the animals. The aim of the present study was to examine how different movement and space offerings affect the movement activities of horses in a group horse husbandry with close-by discharge, and whether the discharge provides itself an adequate incentive for movement. The impact that the form or rather intensity of movement has on the wellbeing of the animals was also established. Most of the horses held in Germany spend most of the day in the stable, although it is meanwhile known that horses under natural housing conditions are 12 to 16 hours of the day in motion. Therefore the improvement of stable housing systems applies a special interest. For this purpose, 24 warmblood mares, aged from 1½ to 3½ years, were studied in single and group discharge husbandry systems from September 2004 until October 2005. Six horses formed an experimental group. In every group five variants of approximately three weeks were proceeded. Thereby the group husbandry was supplemented with three different additional movement opportunities (2 h pasture / day, 2 h non-grassy pasture land / day, 1 h free range horse walker / day). In the single discharge husbandry (single box with 45 sq. m-large close-by discharge) and in one experimental variant of the group husbandry got the horses, however, offered no additional movement outside the husbandry system. The group husbandry system itself was marked by the spatial division of the functional areas (lying, eating, drinking, moving) and the close-by discharge measured 270 sq. m. In an additional phase of the study, and expansion of the permanently accessible close-by discharge to 540 sq. m was found. The movement activity was documented with pedometers attached respectively to one hind leg of the horse and a supplementary analysis of video documentation. To evaluate the stress exposure measurements of heart frequency variability (parameters HF and SD2) and of the faecal cortisol metabolite concentration were performed. Summary 195 The interpretation of the movement behaviour showed that additional two hours of free movement on a pasture led to a significant increase in the average movement activity (149.6 min / day), as well as one hour movement in a horsewalker did (173.0 min / day). The non-grassy pasture land, however, didn’t inspire the horses of the group husbandry to increased movement (131.6 min / day), but sometimes even caused a decrease in movement activity. In the group discharge husbandry without additional movement opportunities the movement activity was also low (125.8 min / day), and during the single discharge husbandry without additional movement the horses showed the least movement activity (102.3 min / day). In analysing only the movement time in the stable system was no significant impact of the additional movement outside the housing system to the rest of locomotion ascertainable. As well an expansion of the close-by stable discharge in the group husbandry system had no increasing influence on the movement behaviour of the horses. The stress exposure of the horses was least in the variations of group husbandry with two hours on a pasture (SD2: 82.9 ms; cortisol metabolites: 29.0 nmol / kg faeces) as well as one hour of movement in a free range horse walker (SD2: 99.2 ms; cortisol metabolites: 27.7 nmol / kg faeces). The studies showed a rise in stress in group husbandry with two hours of movement on a non-grassy pasture land without feeding opportunity (SD2: 101.3 ms; cortisol metabolites: 39.6 nmol / kg faeces) as well as in the variation of the group husbandry without additional movement offerings (SD2: 113.3 ms; cortisol metabolites: 38.4 nmol / kg faeces). Judging from the mean of the group the horses had a very high stress exposure in the variation of the single husbandry without additional movement offerings (SD2: 123.8 ms; cortisol metabolites: 37.5 nmol / kg faeces). But a comparison of the group and single husbandry in terms of the heart frequency variability showed that alltogether 70 % of the horses experienced less stress if hold in a group. However, some horses (30 %) showed reducing stress in the single husbandry, whereas here the influence of social hierarchy seems to play a decisive role. 196 Summary In consequence of the examination of several measuring parameters (both for stressand for movement behaviour) parallel aligned tendencies become apparent in the experimental variants, however, is a unique weighting of the parameters not possible. Thus, the methodological approach of this study is to be regarde as very positive and necessary, since the data always vary with some fluctuations by external influences. In general it can be established that discharge husbandry systems offer some incentive for the horse to move, but with a maximum of four hours (overall 62 – 248 min) of movement per day, the daily proportion of movement was much less than, for example, in the case of wild horses or year-round pasture keeping. Thus, if no additional movement incentives and possibilities are offered, the discharge husbandry system doesn’t cover the movement needs of the horse despite separate functional areas and a large outside discharge. Additional movement is not only necessary to keep the musculoskeletal system and bodily functions of the horse healthy, but also to ensure the horse’s well being and mental balance.] |