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Author Vervaecke, H.; Vries, H.D.; Elsacker, L.V. doi  openurl
  Title An Experimental Evaluation Of The Consistency Of Competitive Ability And Agonistic Dominance In Different Social Contexts In Captive Bonobos Type Journal Article
  Year 1999 Publication Behaviour Abbreviated Journal Behaviour  
  Volume 136 Issue 4 Pages 423-442  
  Keywords BONOBO PAN PANISCUS; RANK ORDERS; FEEDING SCORES; AGONISTIC RANKS; PEERING  
  Abstract Bonobos have been described as a relatively egalitarian and female dominant species. The exact nature and quality of their dominance relationships and the existence of female dominance are current topics of dispute. We investigated the consistency across social contexts, the stability in time, and the degree of expression of the competitive feeding ability and agonistic dominance in a captive group of bonobos. First, we examined whether the competitive feeding ranks and agonistic ranks differed in different dyadic contexts, triadic contexts and the whole group context. For some pairs of animals the dominance relationships with respect to competitive feeding altered with different group compositions. The agonistic dominance relationships changed accordingly. The competitive feeding ranks and agonistic ranks in the experiments correlated strongly with each other. The alpha position was occupied by a female, but not all females outranked all males. We suggest that females can profit from each others presence to gain inter-sexual dominance. Second, although the agonistic rank order in the whole group remained the same over at least five years, some dyadic competitive feeding ranks changed over time, resulting in a stronger female intersexual dominance. Third, the degree of expression of the behaviors used to quantify dyadic competitive and agonistic dominance was not high, in line with the popular 'egalitarian' epithet. Notwithstanding its low consistency across contexts, the dominance hierarchy in the whole group has a strong predictive value for other social relationships such as grooming. Given this strong effect of rank on other behaviours and given the strong dependency of rank on social context, the choice of the right party members may be a crucial factor in the fission-fusion processes of free-ranging bonobos.  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2195  
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Hemelrijk,C. K.; Wantia,J.; Gygax,L. doi  openurl
  Title The construction of dominance order: comparing performance of five methods using an individual-based model Type Journal Article
  Year 2005 Publication Behaviour Abbreviated Journal Behaviour  
  Volume 142 Issue 8 Pages 1043-1064  
  Keywords dominance order, ranking method, agent-based model, statistical method, aggression  
  Abstract In studies of animal behaviour investigators correlate dominance with all kinds of behavioural

variables, such as reproductive success and foraging success. Many methods are used to

produce a dominance hierarchy from a matrix reflecting the frequency of winning dominance

interactions. These different methods produce different hierarchies. However, it is difficult to

decide which ranking method is best. In this paper, we offer a new procedure for this decision:

we use an individual-based model, called DomWorld, as a test-environment. We choose this

model, because it provides access to both the internal dominance values of artificial agents

(which reflects their fighting power) and the matrix of winning and losing among them and,

in addition, because its behavioural rules are biologically inspired and its group-level patterns

resemble those of real primates. We compare statistically the dominance hierarchy based on

the internal dominance values of the artificial agents with the dominance hierarchy produced

by ranking individuals by (a) their total frequency of winning, (b) their average dominance

index, (c) a refined dominance index, the David`s score, (d) the number of subordinates each

individual has and (e) a ranking method based on maximizing the linear order of the hierarchy.

Because dominance hierarchies may differ depending on group size, type of society, and the

interval of study, we compare these ranking methods for these conditions.We study complete

samples as well as samples randomly chosen to resemble the limitations of observing real

animals. It appears that two methods of medium complexity (the average dominance index

and David`s score) lead to hierarchical orders that come closest to the hierarchy based on

internal dominance values of the agents. We advocate usage of the average dominance index,

because of its computational simplicity.		  
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  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
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  ISSN ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 445  
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Krueger, K.; Schneider, G.; Flauger, B.; Heinze, J. doi  openurl
  Title Context-dependent third-party intervention in agonistic encounters of male Przewalski horses Type Journal Article
  Year 2015 Publication Behavioural Processes Abbreviated Journal Behav. Process.  
  Volume 121 Issue Pages 54-62  
  Keywords Equus ferus przewalskii; Group conflict; Rank orders; Social bonds; Social control; Third-party intervention  
  Abstract Abstract One mechanism to resolve conflict among group members is third party intervention, for which several functions, such as kin protection, alliance formation, and the promotion of group cohesion have been proposed. Still, empirical research on the function of intervention behaviour is rare. We studied 40 cases of intervention behaviour in a field study on 13 semi-wild bachelor horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) in (a) standard social situations, and (b) when new horses joined the group (i.e. introductions). Only interventions in agonistic encounters were analysed. Eight of 13 animals directed intervention behaviour toward threatening animal in agonistic encounters of group members. One stallion was particularly active. The stallions did not intervene to support former group mates or kin and interventions were not reciprocated. In introduction situations and in standard social situations, the interveners supported animals which were lower in rank, but targeted, threatening animals of comparable social rank. After introductions, stallions received more affiliative behaviour from animals they supported and thus appeared to intervene for alliance formation. In standard social situations, interveners did not receive more affiliative behaviour from animals they supported and may primarily have intervened to promote group cohesion and to reduce social disruption within the group.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0376-6357 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5925  
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Christensen, J.W.; Ahrendt, L.P.; Lintrup, R.; Gaillard, C.; Palme, R.; Malmkvist, J. doi  openurl
  Title Does learning performance in horses relate to fearfulness, baseline stress hormone, and social rank? Type Abstract
  Year 2012 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal App Anim Behav Sci  
  Volume 140 Issue 1 Pages 44-52  
  Keywords Horse; Learning; Fearfulness; Stress; Reinforcement; Social rank  
  Abstract The ability of horses to learn and remember new tasks is fundamentally important for their use by humans. Fearfulness may, however, interfere with learning, because stimuli in the environment can overshadow signals from the rider or handler. In addition, prolonged high levels of stress hormones can affect neurons within the hippocampus; a brain region central to learning and memory. In a series of experiments, we aimed to investigate the link between performance in two learning tests, the baseline level of stress hormones, measured as faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM), fearfulness, and social rank. Twenty-five geldings (2 or 3 years old) pastured in one group were included in the study. The learning tests were performed by professional trainers and included a number of predefined stages during which the horses were gradually trained to perform exercises, using either negative (NR) or positive reinforcement (PR). Each of the learning tests lasted 3 days; 7min/horse/day. The NR test was repeated in a novel environment. Performance, measured as final stage in the training programme, and heart rate (HR) were recorded. Faeces were collected on four separate days where the horses had been undisturbed at pasture for 48h. Social rank was determined through observations of social interactions during feeding. The fear test was a novel object test during which behaviour and HR were recorded. Performance in the NR and PR learning tests did not correlate. In the NR test, there was a significant, negative correlation between performance and HR in the novel environment (rS=-0.66, P<0.001, i.e. nervous horses had reduced performance), whereas there was no such correlation in the home environment (both NR and PR). Behavioural reactions in the fear test correlated significantly with performance in the NR test in the novel environment (e.g. object alertness and final stage: rS=-0.43, P=0.04), suggesting that performance under unfamiliar, stressful conditions may be predicted by behavioural responses in a fear test. There was a negative correlation between social rank and baseline stress hormones (rS=-0.43, P=0.04), i.e. high rank corresponded to low FCM concentrations, whereas neither rank nor FCM correlated with fearfulness or learning performance. We conclude that performance under stressful conditions is affected by activation of the sympathetic nervous system during training and related to behavioural responses in a standardised fear test. Learning performance in the home environment, however, appears unrelated to fearfulness, social rank and baseline FCM levels.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
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  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0168-1591 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ S0168-1591(12)00168-2 Serial 5769  
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Schneider, G.; Krueger, K. doi  openurl
  Title Third-party interventions keep social partners from exchanging affiliative interactions with others Type Journal Article
  Year 2012 Publication Animal Behaviour Abbreviated Journal Anim. Behav.  
  Volume 83 Issue 2 Pages 377-387  
  Keywords Equus caballus; horse; rank; social bond; social network; third-party intervention  
  Abstract Third-party interventions are defined as the interruption of dyadic interactions by third animals through direct physical contact, interposing or threats. Previous studies focused on the analysis of interventions against agonistic encounters. However, there have been no evaluations of interventions against affiliative behaviours, particularly in relation to the intervening animal&#65533;s social relationships and its social and spatial position. Horses, Equus caballus, are an interesting model species, as interventions against affiliative interactions occur more frequently than against agonistic interactions. In this study, 64 feral horses displayed 67 interventions in affiliative interactions and eight interventions in agonistic interactions within the observation period. We analysed the interventions in affiliative encounters, and found that it was mainly higher-ranking females that intervened in the affiliative interactions of group mates in the stable horse harems. The intervening animals took an active part in affiliative and agonistic encounters within the group, but did not occupy particular social roles or spatial positions. They intervened in affiliative interactions in which group mates with which they had social bonds interacted with other members of the group. They targeted the nonbonded animal and approached the one with which they were socially bonded. We suggest some species use third-party interventions in affiliative interactions to prevent competition for preferred social interaction partners from escalating into more costly agonistic encounters.  
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  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0003-3472 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5492  
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Taillon, J.; Côté, S. doi  openurl
  Title Are faecal hormone levels linked to winter progression, diet quality and social rank in young ungulates ? An experiment with white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) fawns Type Journal Article
  Year 2008 Publication Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Abbreviated Journal Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol.  
  Volume 62 Issue 10 Pages 675-677  
  Keywords Diet quality – Glucocorticoids – Social rank – Testosterone – White-tailed deer  
  Abstract Abstract Hormones play a central role in the physiology and behaviour of animals. The recent development of noninvasive techniques has increased information on physical and social states of individuals through hormone measurements. The relationships among hormones, life history traits and behaviours are, however, still poorly known. For the first time, we evaluated natural winter glucocorticoid and testosterone levels in young ungulates in relation to winter progression, diet quality and social rank. Overwinter, levels of glucocorticoid and testosterone decreased, possibly due to the decline of fawns" body mass. The relationships between hormone levels and diet quality were surprising: Fawns fed the control diet presented higher glucocorticoid and lower testosterone levels then fawns fed the poor diet, suggesting that control fawns faced a higher nutritional stress than those on the poor diet. Similarly to other studies on social mammals, we found no relationship between faecal glucocorticoid levels and social rank, suggesting that social stress was similar for dominant and subordinate fawns during winter. Testosterone levels were not correlated to social rank as found previously in groups of individuals forming stable social hierarchies and maintaining stable dominance relationships. The simultaneous suppression of glucocorticoid and testosterone levels suggests for the first time that young ungulates present a hormonal strategy to prevent fast depletion of limited proteins and fat resources during winter.  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4423  
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Author Stashak, T. S.; Wissdorf, H. isbn  openurl
  Title Adams' Lahmheit bei Pferden Type Book Whole
  Year 2007 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords Pferd / Anatomie, Krankheiten, Heilkunde | Innere Krankheit (Tier) | Krankheit / Tierkrankheit | Pathologie (der Tiere) ( Tierkrankheit ) | Pathologie (der Tiere) / Tierkrankheit | Tierkrankheit – Pathologie (der Tiere)  
  Abstract  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Schaper M. & H Place of Publication Hannover Editor  
  Language German Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN 3794402197 Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4447  
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Flauger, B.; Krueger, K. pdf  openurl
  Title Social feeding decisions in horses (Equus caballus) Type Conference Article
  Year 2012 Publication Proceedings of the 2. International Equine Science Meeting Abbreviated Journal Proc. 2. Int. Equine. Sci. Mtg  
  Volume in press Issue Pages  
  Keywords Feeding decision; Horse; Rank; Social behaviour  
  Abstract Like many other herbivores equids feed on rather evenly distributed resources. Especially in ruminants several studies have proved the influence of social organisations, rank, sex and the depletion of feeding sites on the feeding behaviour of individuals. However, it is not yet understood whether social aspects affect horses´ feeding decisions. Horses roam on vast habitats with constantly changing vegetation. In non-competitive situations domestic horses tend to return to the same feeding site until it is overgrazed. Whereas, for competition over limited food the social status of the individuals appears to be important. Curiosity about the influence of social rank and different social feeding conditions on the horses´ feeding decisions between two buckets, equally filled with high-quality surplus food, led us to create the test situation described here. The observer horses were alternately tested with a dominant and a subordinate demonstrator placed in one of three different positions. We conclude that domestic horses use cognitive strategic decision making in order to decide where to feed in a social feeding situation. When possible they tend to return to the same, continuously supplied feeding site and switch to an “avoidance tendency” when another horse is already feeding from it or in the presence of a dominant horse. Thus the position and the social rank of conspecifics affect the feeding strategy of horses.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Flauger, B. Thesis  
  Publisher Xenophon Publishing Place of Publication Wald Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 978-3-9808134-26 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5581  
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Obergfell, J. openurl 
  Title Einf lus s v on St ruktur e l ement en auf da s Li eg ev e rha l t en v on Pf e rden in Gruppenha l tung unt e r Be rücks i cht igung de s Ag g r e s s i ons v e rha l t ens Type Manuscript
  Year 2012 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords Pferde, Ruheverhalten, Liegeverhalten, Aggressionsverhalten, Strukturelemente, Rangordnung [horses, rest behavior, lying behavior, aggression behavior, structural elements, rank order]  
  Abstract Durch die vorliegende Studie wurde der Einfluss von Strukturelementen auf das Liege- und Aggressionsverhalten von Pferden in Gruppenhaltung untersucht. Die Strukturelemente sollten Rückzugsmöglichkeiten bieten, sowie in ihrem Bereich zur Aufhebung der Individualdistanz führen und dadurch die Fläche relativ vergrößern. Für die Versuche stellte das Haupt- und Landesgestüt Marbach drei unabhängige Pferdegruppen mit verschiedener Herdengröße zur Verfügung, die jeweils in Einraum- Innenlaufställen gehalten wurden. Die Datenerfassung fand zwischen 23 und sieben Uhr statt. Insgesamt wurden 366 Stunden Videomaterial ausgewertet. Beim Ruheverhalten wurden mit Hilfe des event-sampling- Verfahrens die Parameter Gesamtliegedauer, Dauer in Seitenlage, Dauer der Einzelphasen in

Seitenlage und Abliegehäufigkeit pro Nacht erfasst. Es wurden Versuchsphasen ohne

Strukturelemente und mit hängenden Planen als Strukturierung durchgeführt. Im ersten Stall

kamen außerdem über einander gestapelte Strohballen zum Einsatz. Diese Art der

Strukturierung stellte sich jedoch als nicht praktikabel heraus und führte im Vergleich zu den Planen zu einer signifikanten Verschlechterung der Gesamtliegedauer. In Stall 1 konnte man eine tendenzielle Verbesserung der Parameter Gesamtliegedauer und Gesamtdauer in Seitenlage durch das Anbringen von Planen sehen. In Stall 3 dagegen verschlechterte sich das Ruheverhalten in den Versuchsphasen mit Planen gegenüber den Versuchsphasen ohne Struktur. Die Werte der Gesamtdauer in Seitenlage nahmen signifikant ab. In Stall 2 zeigten sich keine Unterschiede in den verschiedenen Versuchsphasen. Möglicherweise ist die Wirkung der Strukturelemente auf das Liegeverhalten abhängig von der Flächengröße. Stall 1 hatte bezogen auf die Leitlinien des BMELV die größte und Stall 3 die kleinste Fläche. Bei den anderen Parametern des Liegeverhaltens gab es keine signifikanten Unterschiede in den verschiedenen Versuchsphasen. Mit Hilfe des time-sampling-Verfahrens wurde die Anzahl gleichzeitig liegender Pferde und gleichzeitig liegender Pferde in Seitenlage bestimmt. Auch hier zeigten sich keine Unterschiede in den verschiedenen Versuchsphasen. Bei der Gegenüberstellung der Werte der Gesamtliegedauer und der Gesamtdauer in Seitenlage mit dem Alter der Pferde (Stall 1 und Stall 3) und mit dem Integrationszeitpunkt (Stall 1) konnte kein Zusammenhang festgestellt werden. Beim Aggressionsverhalten wurden mit Hilfe des

event-sampling-Verfahrens in den Ställen 2 und 3 verschiedene Arten von Aggressionen

erfasst, die dann in die drei Intensitätsgrade Low-Level-, Mid-Level- und High-Level-

Aggressionen unterteilt wurden. Neben der Anzahl wurde die Dauer der verschiedenen

Aggressionen bewertet. Insgesamt konnte eine positive Wirkung der Planen auf das

Aggressionsverhalten beobachtet werden. Die Gesamtanzahl an Aggressionen nahm in beiden

Ställen tendenziell in den Versuchsphasen mit Planen ab. In Stall 3 konnte, wenn man die

Aggressionen stundenweise betrachtet, ein signifikanter Unterschied festgestellt werden.

Auch der Hinterhandschlag und die Aggressionen, welche das Ruheverhalten stören,

verringerten sich tendenziell nach dem Anbringen von Strukturelementen. In beiden Ställen

nahm die relative Häufigkeit von Mid-Level-Aggressionen nach dem Anbringen von Planen

zu. Dagegen konnte bei den High-Level-Aggressionen und in Stall 3 bei den Low-Level-

Aggressionen eine relative Abnahme beobachtet werden. Sowohl die Anzahl als auch die

Dauer der Mid-Level-Aggressionen verringerten sich in Stall 3 stundenweise betrachtet

signifikant in den Versuchsphasen mit Planen. In Stall 2 war bei den High-Level-

Aggressionen sowohl bei der Dauer als auch bei der Anzahl eine signifikante Abnahme zu

sehen. Wenn man das Aggressionsverhalten in Bezug zu der Fläche in den zwei Ställen

betrachtet, schien diese vor allem einen Einfluss auf die High-Level-Aggressionen zu

nehmen. Mit Hilfe des Rangindex der Pferde im Stall 3 wurde eine Rangordnung aufgestellt.

Zwischen dem Platz der Pferde in der Rangordnung und den Parametern des Ruheverhaltens

(Gesamtliegedauer, Gesamtdauer in Seitenlage) sowie dem Alter der Pferde konnte kein

Zusammenhang festgestellt werden. Zwischen dem Rangindex und der Gesamtanzahl an

Aggressionen bestand dagegen ein hoch signifikanter Zusammenhang. Im Rahmen dieser

Studie ist das Anbringen von Strukturelementen in Bezug auf das Aggressionsverhalten in

Einraum-Innenlaufställen von Pferden zu empfehlen. Die Wirkung auf das Liegeverhalten der

Pferde sollte in weiteren Studien untersucht werden.

[In this study the influence of structural elements on lying and aggression behavior in horses

kept in groups was exanimated. Structural elements should offer the possibility of retreat.

Furthermore, within the respective area, the individual distance should be limited, thus

increasing the overall space relatively. For the studies the “Haupt- und Landesgestüt

Marbach” provided three non-related groups of different sized horses, each kept in separate

“Einraum-Innenlaufställen”. Data collection took place between 11 pm and 7 am. Altogether,

366 hours of video material were analyzed. Using the event-sampling-method, the following

parameters within the horses´ resting behavior were determined: The total lying period, the

total lying period in lateral position, the periods of the single lying in lateral position and the

frequency of lying down. Test phases were carried out without structural elements and with

hanging canvases as structural elements. In the first stable there were also three bales of straw

piled up on top of each other. This kind of structuring emerged as impractical and in

comparison to the canvas, led to a significant deterioration to the total period of lying. After

the canvases were fixed in the first stable, a slight improvement with the parameters of total

lying period and total lying period in the lateral position could be seen. In contrast, the resting

behavior in stable 3 worsened in the test phases with the canvases in comparison to the test phases without structural elements. The values for the total lying period in the lateral position

decreased significantly. In stable 2, there were no differences in the different test phases.

Possibly the effect of the structural elements is dependent of the space. Stable 1 had the

largest space and stable 3 the least space referred to the guideline of the BMELV. The other

parameters of the lying behavior showed no significant differences in the different test phases.

The number of horses lying at the same time, and the number of horses lying at the same time

in the lateral position were detected with the aid of the time-sampling-method. There were

also no differences between the different test phases. If the values of the total lying period and

the total lying period in lateral position were compared to the age of the horses (stable 1 and

stable 3) and to the point of integration (stable 1), there was no correlation.

Different kinds of aggression were detected by the means of the event-sampling-method in

stable 2 and 3 and were subdivided into the three levels of intensity: Low-level-, mid-level

and high-level-aggressions. Both the number and the duration of the different aggressions

were evaluated. All in all a positive influence of the canvas on the aggression behavior could

be observed. In both stables, the total number of aggressions decreased in the test phases with

canvases. In stable 3 a significant difference could be detected, if the aggressions were

observed per hour. Also hind limb kicks and aggressions disturbing the resting behavior,

decreased by trend, after fixing the canvases in the stable. In both stables the relative

frequency of mid-level-aggressions increased after the canvases were mounted. In contrast

there was a relative decrease at the high-level-aggressions and in stable 3 at the low-levelaggressions.

The number and the duration of the mid-level-aggressions in stable 3 decreased,

when considered by the hour in the test phases with canvases. In stable 2 a significant

decrease in duration and number of high-level-aggressions was observed. When examining

aggression behavior in reference to space in the two stables, high-level-aggressions seemed to

be mostly influenced. In stable 3 a rank order was established with the aid of the rank index of

the horses. There was no correlation between the horses´ rank and the parameters of the

resting behavior (the total lying period, the total lying period in lateral position) and between

horses´ rank and age. In contrast, there was a high significant correlation between the rank

index and the total number of aggressions. In context to this study, structural elements in

“Einraum-Innenlaufställen” (BMELV 2009) seem to have a positive influence on the

aggression behavior and thus seem to be recommendable. The influence on the lying behavior

should be investigated in further studies.]		  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis Ph.D. thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Karlsruhe Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5772  
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Wolter, R.; Krueger, K. pdf  isbn
openurl 
  Title The analysis of social bonds in feral horses Type Conference Article
  Year 2015 Publication Proceedings of the 3. International Equine Science Meeting Abbreviated Journal Proc. 3. Int. Equine. Sci. Mtg  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords social bonds, grooming, nearest neighborhood, rank  
  Abstract In many social mammals, individuals preferentially affiliate with a small subset of available partners instead of distributing their social behaviors equally among all group members. The resulting social bonds have been investigated in several mammalian taxa, especially in primate societies, but also in other taxa such as birds, dolphins, rodents and ungulates. In feral horses, a great number of studies on social bonds can be found, but with a huge variety between methods for the analysis. There seems to be a lack of a clear and common definition of social bonds in horses and of comparable analyses. For example, there are irregularities between the studies regarding the research designs, the selection of recording methods and the interpretation of the measurements. Mutual grooming is used most often for the analysis of social relationships in many species. As mutual grooming is rare in horses, especially measurements of spatial proximity are commonly used for the analysis of social bonds in addition to other behavioral patterns. However, the combination of mutual grooming and nearest neighborhood analyses for the analysis of social bond is debatable, as in contrast to mutual grooming, which must occur deliberately by both grooming partners, the spatial distribution can be influenced by one partner alone, which may even force the other horse to keep a certain distance or to stay in close proximity.

In this study, we investigated the comparability of mutual grooming and nearest neighborhood data for social bond analyses in feral horses. Therefore, we observed five groups of semi-wild living Przewalski’s horses and six groups of feral horses.

We analysed the horses’ social ranks by applying an Average Dominance Index, we recorded the distances between the animals and observed the number of mutual grooming events as well as friendly approaches.

Our results show that there was only a weak correlation between the frequency of staying in nearest neighborhood and mutual grooming in all observed horse groups. In contrast to this, the correlation between the number of friendly approaches and mutual grooming events was higher in most groups.

Hierarchies did not affect social bonds, as mutual grooming was similarly induced by higher and lower ranking animals and the social rank did not affect the choice of the grooming partner. Similarly, likelihoods of staying in the neighborhood of particular animals were not affected by the animals’ social rank.

The grooming frequencies differed between the different horse groups and between the individual horses living in the particular groups. They seem to be effected by individual predisposition.

Altogether we suggest that the ratio of mutual grooming seems to be a better indicator for social bonds in feral horses than the frequency of staying in the nearest neighborhood. Mutual grooming occurs deliberately and is bidirectional, whereas nearest neighborhoods could be enforced and unidirectional. For the calculation of social bonds in horses, we consider it to be more reliable to combine the frequency of mutual grooming with the frequency of friendly approaches.		  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Wolter, R. Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN 978-3-95625-000-2 Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5882  
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