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Author Hartmann, E.; Søndergaard, E.; Keeling, L.J. doi  openurl
  Title Identifying potential risk situations for humans when removing horses from groups Type Journal Article
  Year 2012 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.  
  Volume 136 Issue 1 Pages 37-43  
  Keywords Equine; Group; Human; Handling; Injury  
  Abstract Removing a horse from its social group may be considered risky, both for the handler and the horse, because other horses can interfere in the catching process. The main aim of this study was to identify where and when these risk situations occur while removing a horse from its group. A potential risk situation was defined by the closeness of loose horses in the group or by any physical contact with them. Whether the number of horses following would be influenced by the social rank of the horse being led out, and whether more horses would follow to the gate when a larger proportion of the group was removed compared to when a single horse was taken out were also investigated. Thirty-two mares (1–2 years) were kept in groups of four. All horses were taken out of their home paddock twice alone (64 tests) and twice with a companion (32 tests). One handler (or two handlers when two horses were removed) was asked to approach (phase 1) and catch the target horse (phase 2), walk it to the centre of the paddock and remain stationary at a post for 30 s (phase 3), walk to the paddock entrance (phase 4) and through the gate (phase 5). The number of horses following, and the number of loose horses in proximity (<2 m, 2–5 m) to the target horse and handler was estimated, and horse–horse and horse–human interactions were recorded continuously for the five scoring phases. Significantly more loose horses were within 2 m of a single target horse during the phases approach (mean ± SD: 1.5 ± 0.8), catch (1.6 ± 0.9) and post (1.7 ± 0.7) than during walk (1.0 ± 0.5) and gate (1.1 ± 0.6). Rank did not influence the number of horses following to the gate (high rank: 2.4 ± 0.7; lower rank: 2.0 ± 1.0; P = 0.396) and interactions between horses were rare. A greater proportion of the loose horses followed when two horses (0.9 ± 0.2) were removed compared to when a single horse (0.7 ± 0.3) was taken out (P = 0.011). In conclusion, maintaining a distance to other horses in the group by reducing the time being relatively stationary, so giving loose horses fewer chances to approach, is likely to contribute to improved handler's safety. Removing a small proportion of the group may also decrease the probability of the other horses following.  
  Address  
  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 0168-1591 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5491  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Flauger, B; Möstl, E.; Krueger., K. pdf  openurl
  Title The introduction of horses into new groups: Social interactions and cortisol release 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 Introduction technique; Aggression; Injury risk; Endocrine response; Stress; Integration horse  
  Abstract Domestic horses are kept in so-called “fate societies” where they have to deal with frequent mixing. Several studies have evaluated and discussed the aggression level and injury risk during the introduction of horses into new groups, but nothing is known about the endocrine responses and thus if horses experience stress during introduction.

In this study we analysed the efficiency of four approved introduction techniques and evaluated the introduction of 30 horses into 11 different groups. Horses were introduced: 1) immediately, 2) after observing the new group for several days, 3) together with an “integration horse” after several days of observation, or 4) with a mixed strategy. Aggressive as well as positive social behaviour between the introduced horses and the group members were analysed the two hours following the introduction event. In addition, we focussed on the glucocorticoid production of the newcomer horses by measuring faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) on the day of the introduction as well as the following three days.

For the four introduction techniques we found significant differences in the horses’ aggressive and submissive behaviour as well as in their total interactions. The introduction together with an integration horse led to significantly lower levels of aggression and less total interactions than the immediate introduction of single horses.

Horses which were introduced immediately or after an observation period showed significantly elevated levels of FCM on the first, second and third day after the introduction. For horses introduced together with an integration horse FCM were already significantly higher on the day of the introduction, indicating a stressful event before the introduction itself. In contrast, FCM levels were always very low when using the mixed technique.

In sum, horses have the ability to deal with conflict when they are introduced to new group members. The introduction event itself appears not to be as stressful as previously assumed. Standing together with an “integration horse” on a separate paddock and not being able to integrate immediately into a new group appears to be stressful for the newcomer. Based on the findings of our study we suggest to introduce new horses in group management together with a new group mate, a so-called “integration horse”. This would reduce the number of total social interactions as well as the aggression level. While this technique may be stressful for the newcomer, it lowers aggressive behaviour between the introduced horse and the group members and consequently reduces injury risks.
 
  Address  
  Corporate Author Flauger, B. Thesis  
  Publisher Xenophon Publishing Place of Publication Wald Editor Krueger, K.  
  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 5551  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Zeitler-Feicht, M. H.; Streit, S.; Dempfle, L. openurl 
  Title Automatic feeding systems for horses in group housing systems with regard to animal welfare. Part 1: Feeding stalls versus automatic feeding systems Type Journal Article
  Year 2010 Publication Tierärztliche Praxis Großtiere Abbreviated Journal Tierärztl Prax  
  Volume 38 Issue G Pages 363-370  
  Keywords Pferd, Fütterungseinrichtungen, soziale Interaktionen, Herzfrequenz, Verletzungsrisiko, Betriebseinfluss [Horse, feeding stations, social interactions, heart rate, risk of injury, individual farm management]  
  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.]
 
  Address  
  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 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5765  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Zeitler-Feicht, M. H.; Streit, S.; Dempfle, L. openurl 
  Title Automatic feeding systems for horses in group housing systems with regard to animal welfare. Part 2: Comparison of different automatic feeding systems Type Journal Article
  Year 2011 Publication Tierärztliche Praxis Großtiere Abbreviated Journal Tierärztl Prax  
  Volume 39 Issue G Pages 33-40  
  Keywords Pferd, Fütterungssystem, Bauvarianten, soziale Interaktionen, Besuchshäufigkeit, Aufenthaltsdauer, Herzfrequenz, Verletzungsrisiko [Horse, feeding system, different types of construction, social interactions, visiting frequency, duration of stay, heart rate, risk of injury]  
  Abstract Ziel: Überprüfung der Tiergerechtheit von in der Bauweise unterschiedlichen

Futterabrufstationen für Pferde in Gruppenhaltung anhand ethologischer

und physiologischer Parameter. Material und Methoden: In 32

Offenlaufställen (452 Pferde) mit computergesteuerten Abrufstationen

für Kraftfutter und Heu erfolgten kontinuierliche Direktbeobachtungen

für je einen 24-Stunden-Tag (Tortenstückverfahren). Erfasst wurden: Aufenthaltsdauer,

Besuchshäufigkeit, Droh- und Meideverhalten im Fütterungsbereich,

Blockaden sowie Herzfrequenz und Integumentverletzungen.

Ergebnisse: Eine Durchlaufstation reduzierte die Zahl der Auseinandersetzungen

im Fütterungsbereich signifikant. Ansonsten erhöhten die

für das fressende Pferd tiergerechten Varianten (Fressstand mit Eingangssperre,

ohne Austreibehilfe) Besuchshäufigkeit und Aufenthaltsdauer und

steigerten somit auch die Anzahl an Drohgesten je Tier und Tag. Insgesamt

betrachtet kann jedoch die Anzahl an sozionegativen Interaktionen

im Fütterungsbereich der Abrufstationen als relativ gering eingestuft

werden. Die Herzfrequenz lag im Warteareal bei den meisten Pferden im

physiologischen Bereich (45,1 ± 12,42 Schläge/min), erhöhte sich jedoch

in der Abrufstation um ca. 20 Schläge/min. Einige Tiere zeigten möglicherweise

stressbedingt kurzfristig auffallend hohe Werte (&#8805; 100 Schläge/

min). Integumentverletzungen im Zusammenhang mit dem Fütterungssystem

traten nicht auf. Der wichtigste Einflussfaktor auf die Untersuchungskriterien

war der Betrieb (Fläche, Konzeption, Management).

Schlussfolgerung: Durchlaufstationen sind pferdegerechter als Rücklaufstationen.

Nicht tiergerecht sind Stationen mit stromführender Austreibehilfe.

Weitere bauliche Unterschiede der derzeitigen Futterabrufstationen

dürften eher von untergeordneter Bedeutung sein, vor allem da

Flächengebot und Konzeption der Offenstallanlage sowie das Management

die überprüften Kriterien zur Tiergerechtheit maßgeblich beeinflussen.

Untersuchungen zur Abklärung der Ursache für die vereinzelt aufgetretenen

sehr hohen Herzfrequenzwerte sollten durchgeführt werden.

Objective: Comparison with regard to animal welfare of different automatic

feeding systems for hay and concentrate in group housing systems

for horses using parameters of ethology and physiology. Material and

methods: Parameters of research comprised: duration of stay, frequency

of visit, threatening behaviour with and without risk of injury, and avoiding

behaviour as well as heart rate and injuries of the integument. 452

horses were observed at the feeding area of 32 run-out-sheds. Every group

of horses was continuously observed following the pie chart system for

24 hours. Results: The “walk-through” station significantly reduced the

number of conflicts in the feeding area, whereas those systems which are

appropriate for the feeding horses (feeding station with access barrier and

without stimulation device by electric shock) led to a higher frequency of

visits and a longer duration of stay resulting in more threatening gestures.

However, the number of negative interactions in the feeding area of the

feeding systems can all together be classified as relatively insignificant.

The heart rate was within the physiological range (45.1 ± 12.42 beats/min)

in the waiting area, but increased by approximately 20 beats/min on average

within the feeding station. Some horses showed a very high heart rate

(&#8805; 100 beats/min) while entering the feeding station, possibly stress-related.

There were no injuries of the integument associated with the feeding

systems. The most important factor of the observation criteria was the

individual group housing system with its different dimensions, conception

and management. Conclusion: “Walk-through” stations are better than

”walk-back” stations with regard to animal welfare. Likewise, automatic

feeding stations with a current-carrying stimulation device are not supportive

of good welfare. The other differences between the constructions

of feeding stations of present systems are probably of less importance, particularly

as it was shown that the stable (management, stable area, conception)

had a significant influence on the surveyed parameters. Investigations

to obtain information on the cause for the sporadic occurrence of

very high heart rate values should be undertaken.]
 
  Address  
  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 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5766  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Schwenk, B.K.; Fürst, A.E.; Bischhofberger, A.S. openurl 
  Title Traffic accident-related injuries in horses Type Journal Article
  Year 2016 Publication Pferdeheilkunde – Equine Medicine Abbreviated Journal Equine Med.  
  Volume 32 Issue 3 Pages 192-199  
  Keywords traffic / horse / injury / body site / accident / trauma  
  Abstract Horses involved in road traffic accidents (RTAs) are commonly presented to veterinarians with varying types of injuries. The aim

of this study was describe the pattern and severity of traffic accident-related injuries in horses in a single hospital population. Medical

records of horses either hit by a motorized vehicle or involved in RTAs whilst being transported from 1993 to 2015 were retrospectively

reviewed and the following data was extracted: Signalement, hospitalisation time, month in which the accident happened, cause of the

accident, place of the accident and type of vehicle hitting the horse. Further the different body sites injured (head, neck, breast, fore limb,

abdomen, back and spine, pelvis and ileosacral region, hind limb, tail and genital region), the type of injury (wounds, musculoskeletal

lesions and internal lesions) and the presence of neurological signs were retrieved from the medical records. 34 horses hit by motorized

vehicles and 13 horses involved in RTAs whilst being transported were included in the study. Most of the accidents where horses were hit

by motorized vehicles occurred during December (14.7%) and October (14.7%), horses were most commonly hit by cars (85.3%) and the

majority of accidents occurred on main roads (26.5%). In 29.4% of the cases, horses had escaped from their paddock and then collided

with a motorized vehicle. Most of the accidents with horses involved in RTAs whilst being transported occurred during April (30.8%) and

June (23.1%). In 76.9% of the cases the accident happened on a freeway. In the horses hit by motorized vehicles the proximal hind limbs

were the body site most commonly affected (44.1%), followed by the proximal front limbs (38.2%) and the head (32.4%). When horses

were involved in RTAs whilst being transported the proximal fore limbs (61.5%), the proximal hind limbs (53.8%) and the distal hind limbs,

back and head (38.5% each) were the most common injured body sites. Wounds were the most common type of injury in both groups

(85.3% hit by motorized vehicle, 76.9% transported ones). In horses hit by a motorized vehicle 35.3% suffered from fractures, in 20.6%

a synovial structure was involved and in 5.9% a tendon lesion was present. 14.7% suffered from internal lesions and 14.7% showed neurologic

symptoms (40% peripheral, 60% central neurologic deficits). On the other hand, in horses involved in a RTA whilst being transported

30.8% suffered from fractures. There were no synovial structures injured and no tendon injuries were present. Furthermore there were

no internal lesions present and only one horse involved in a RTA showed central neurologic symptoms. Injuries of horses being hit by a

motorized vehicle were more severe than when horses were protected by a trailer and involved in a RTA whilst being transported. The study

has been able to identify the different injury types of traffic accident-related injuries in horses. Awareness of the nature of these injuries is

important, to avoid underestimation of their severity.
 
  Address  
  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 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6207  
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