| Records |
| Author |
Visser, E.K.; Van Reenen, C.G.; Rundgren, M.; Zetterqvist, M.; Morgan, K.; Blokhuis, H.J. |
| Title |
Responses of horses in behavioural tests correlate with temperament assessed by riders |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Equine Veterinary Journal |
Abbreviated Journal |
Equine Vet J |
| Volume |
35 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
176-183 |
| Keywords |
Adult; Animals; *Behavior, Animal/physiology; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Female; *Handling (Psychology); Heart Rate/*physiology; Horses/physiology/*psychology; Humans; Male; Personality; Temperament/*physiology |
| Abstract |
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Behavioural tests as well as observers' ratings have been used to study horses' temperament. However, the relationship between the ratings and the responses in behavioural tests has not yet been studied in detail. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to examine this relationship between ratings and responses. METHODS: Eighteen mature Swedish Warmblood horses were subjected to 2 behavioural tests, one relating to novelty (novel object test) and one to handling (handling test). Subsequently, 16 of these horses were ridden by 16 equally experienced students, having no former experience with the horses. Immediately after each ride, the students scored the horse for 10 temperamental traits using a line rating method. RESULTS: It was shown that for each temperamental trait all 16 riders agreed on the ranking of the horses (0.212<W<0.505, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Correlations between behavioural and heart rate variables in the behavioural tests revealed that horses with a high level of locomotion or much restlessness behaviour exhibited high mean heart rate and low heart rate variability. In particular, heart rate variables in the behavioural tests were found to correlate with riders' rating scores. Furthermore, the underlying components of the handling test, retrieved with a principal component analysis (PCA) correlated with riders' rating scores while the underlying components of the novel object test did not. POTENTIAL CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It is concluded that it is possible for a large panel of assessors to agree upon a horse's temperament and that objective measures from behavioural tests correlate significantly with temperamental traits assessed by a panel of assessors. |
| Address |
Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, PO Box 80.163, NL-3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands |
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English |
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0425-1644 |
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| Notes |
PMID:12638795 |
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no |
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Serial |
1906 |
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| Author |
Bachmann, I.; Audige, L.; Stauffacher, M. |
| Title |
Risk factors associated with behavioural disorders of crib-biting, weaving and box-walking in Swiss horses |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Equine Veterinary Journal |
Abbreviated Journal |
Equine Vet J |
| Volume |
35 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
158-163 |
| Keywords |
Animal Husbandry/*methods; Animals; *Behavior, Animal; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology); Data Collection; Female; Horse Diseases/epidemiology/*etiology/prevention & control; Horses; *Housing, Animal; Male; Mental Disorders/epidemiology/etiology/prevention & control/*veterinary; Prevalence; Regression Analysis; Risk Factors; *Stereotyped Behavior; Switzerland/epidemiology |
| Abstract |
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Studies on the prevalence of behavioural disorders in horses and on associated risk factors have revealed inconsistent results. There are many studies on the neuropharmacological, surgical or mechanical therapy of stereotypies, but little is known about their causation. OBJECTIVES: To explore risk factors associated with the occurrence of behavioural disorders in horses. METHODS: A sample of horse owners, selected randomly and representative for Switzerland, was contacted in a postal survey. Answers were provided for 622 stables (response rate 35.2%). Individual data of 2,341 horses were examined with path analysis (multivariable linear and logistic regression), and adjustment made for possible confounding effects due to age and breed. RESULTS: Out of 60 possible risk factors, 11 were associated with the outcome at the univariable level (null-hypothesis path model) and 3 factors remained after the backward logistic regression procedure. Mature Warmbloods and Thoroughbreds, assessed by the owners to be reactive, fed 4 times a day and without daily pasture, had increased odds of displaying crib-biting, weaving and box-walking. Furthermore, indirect associations of 5 factors with the outcome were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The final logistic regression model of risk factors leads to the hypotheses that causal prevention of stereotypic behaviours should be based upon housing and management conditions which allow tactile contact with other horses (e.g. mutual grooming), daily free movement (paddock or pasture), as well as the provision of high amounts of roughage but of little or no concentrates. POTENTIAL CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It is one of the aims of population medicine to prevent the development of behavioural disorders. Further research is needed to test the concluding hypotheses in experimental studies or to verify them in the context of similar observational studies. |
| Address |
Institute of Animal Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), LFW B55. 1, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland |
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0425-1644 |
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| Notes |
PMID:12638792 |
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no |
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Serial |
1907 |
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| Author |
Williams, J.L.; Friend, T.H.; Collins, M.N.; Toscano, M.J.; Sisto-Burt, A.; Nevill, C.H. |
| Title |
Effects of imprint training procedure at birth on the reactions of foals at age six months |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Equine Veterinary Journal |
Abbreviated Journal |
Equine Vet J |
| Volume |
35 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
127-132 |
| Keywords |
Age Factors; Animal Husbandry/methods; Animals; Animals, Newborn/*psychology; *Behavior, Animal; *Bonding, Human-Pet; Female; Handling (Psychology); Horses/*psychology; Humans; *Imprinting (Psychology); Male; Random Allocation; Socialization; Time Factors |
| Abstract |
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: While imprint training procedures have been promoted in popular magazines, they have received limited scientific investigation. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of a neonatal imprint training procedure on 6-month-old foals and to determine if any one session had a greater effect than others. METHODS: Foals (n = 131) were divided into the following treatments: no imprint training, imprint training at birth, 12, 24 and 48 h after birth or imprint training only at birth, 12, 24, 48, or 72 h after birth. Foals then received minimal human handling until they were tested at 6 months. RESULTS: During training, time to complete exposure to the stimulus was significant for only 2 of 6 stimuli. Percentage change in baseline heart rate was significant for only 2 of 10 stimuli. These 4 effects were randomly spread across treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Neither the number of imprint training sessions (0, 1, or 4) nor the timing of imprint training sessions (none, birth, 12, 24, 48, or 72 h after birth) influenced the foal's behaviour at 6 months of age. POTENTIAL CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this study, imprint training did not result in better behaved, less reactive foals. |
| Address |
Department of Animal Science, 2471 TAMUS, Texas A&M University College Station, Texas 77845-2471, USA |
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0425-1644 |
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| Notes |
PMID:12638787 |
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no |
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Serial |
1908 |
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| Author |
Goodwin, D.; Davidson, H.P.B.; Harris, P. |
| Title |
Foraging enrichment for stabled horses: effects on behaviour and selection |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2002 |
Publication |
Equine Veterinary Journal |
Abbreviated Journal |
Equine Vet J |
| Volume |
34 |
Issue |
7 |
Pages |
686-691 |
| Keywords |
Animal Feed; Animal Husbandry/*methods; Animal Welfare; Animals; *Behavior, Animal; Female; Horse Diseases/*psychology; Horses/*physiology; Housing, Animal; Male; *Poaceae; *Stereotyped Behavior; Videotape Recording |
| Abstract |
The restricted access to pasture experienced by many competition horses has been linked to the exhibition of stereotypic and redirected behaviour patterns. It has been suggested that racehorses provided with more than one source of forage are less likely to perform these patterns; however, the reasons for this are currently unclear. To investigate this in 4 replicated trials, up to 12 horses were introduced into each of 2 identical stables containing a single forage, or 6 forages for 5 min. To detect novelty effects, in the first and third trials the single forage was hay. In the second and fourth, it was the preferred forage from the preceding trial. Trials were videotaped and 12 mutually exclusive behaviour patterns compared. When hay was presented as the single forage (Trials 1 and 3), all recorded behaviour patterns were significantly different between stables; e.g. during Trial 3 in the 'Single' stable, horses looked over the stable door more frequently (P<0.001), moved for longer (P<0.001), foraged on straw bedding longer (P<0.001), and exhibited behaviour indicative of motivation to search for alternative resources (P<0.001) more frequently. When a previously preferred forage was presented as the single forage (Trials 2 and 4) behaviour was also significantly different between stables, e.g in Trial 4 horses looked out over the stable door more frequently (P<0.005) and foraged for longer in their straw bedding (P<0.005). Further study is required to determine whether these effects persist over longer periods. However, these trials indicate that enrichment of the stable environment through provision of multiple forages may have welfare benefits for horses, in reducing straw consumption and facilitating the expression of highly motivated foraging behaviour. |
| Address |
Anthrozoology Institute, University of Southampton, UK |
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English |
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0425-1644 |
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| Notes |
PMID:12455839 |
Approved |
no |
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refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
1910 |
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| Author |
Marlin, D.J.; Schroter, R.C.; White, S.L.; Maykuth, P.; Matthesen, G.; Mills, P.C.; Waran, N.; Harris, P. |
| Title |
Recovery from transport and acclimatisation of competition horses in a hot humid environment |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2001 |
Publication |
Equine Veterinary Journal |
Abbreviated Journal |
Equine Vet J |
| Volume |
33 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
371-379 |
| Keywords |
Acclimatization/*physiology; Animals; Body Temperature; Body Weight; Breeding; Feeding Behavior; Female; Heart Rate; Heat; Heat Stroke/prevention & control/veterinary; Horse Diseases/prevention & control; Horses/*physiology; Humidity; Male; Respiration; Sports; *Transportation; Tropical Climate |
| Abstract |
The aims of the present field-based study were to investigate changes in fit horses undergoing acclimatisation to a hot humid environment and to provide data on which to base recommendations for safe transport and acclimatisation. Six horses (age 7-12 years) were flown from Europe to Atlanta and underwent a 16 day period of acclimatisation. Exercise conditions during acclimatisation (wet bulb globe temperature index 27.6+/-0.0 [mean +/- s.e.]) were more thermally stressful compared with the European climate from which the horses had come (22.0+/-1.8, P<0.001). Following the flight, weight loss was 4.1+/-0.8% bodyweight and took around 7 days to recover. Water intake during the day was significantly increased (P<0.05) compared with night during acclimatisation. Daily mean exercise duration was 72+/-12 min and the majority of work was performed with a heart rate below 120 beats/min. Respiratory rate (fR) was increased (P<0.05) throughout acclimatisation compared with in Europe, but resting morning (AM) and evening (PM) rectal temperature (TREC), heart rate (fC) and plasma volume were unchanged. White blood cell (WBC) count was significantly increased at AM compared with in Europe on Days 4 and 10 of acclimatisation (P<0.01), but was not different by Day 16. In conclusion, horses exposed to hot humid environmental conditions without prior acclimatisation are able to accommodate these stresses and, with appropriate management, remain fit and clinically healthy, without significant risk of heat illness or heat-related disorders, provided they are allowed sufficient time to recover from transport, acclimatisation is undertaken gradually and they are monitored appropriately. |
| Address |
Centre for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK |
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English |
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0425-1644 |
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| Notes |
PMID:11469770 |
Approved |
no |
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refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
1917 |
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| Author |
Goodwin, D. |
| Title |
The importance of ethology in understanding the behaviour of the horse |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
1999 |
Publication |
Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement |
Abbreviated Journal |
Equine Vet J Suppl |
| Volume |
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Issue |
28 |
Pages |
15-19 |
| Keywords |
*Animal Husbandry; Animals; *Behavior, Animal; Bonding, Human-Pet; Evolution; *Horses; Social Behavior |
| Abstract |
Domestication has provided the horse with food, shelter, veterinary care and protection, allowing individuals an increased chance of survival. However, the restriction of movement, limited breeding opportunities and a requirement to expend energy, for the benefit of another species, conflict with the evolutionary processes which shaped the behaviour of its predecessors. The behaviour of the horse is defined by its niche as a social prey species but many of the traits which ensured the survival of its ancestors are difficult to accommodate in the domestic environment. There has been a long association between horses and man and many features of equine behaviour suggest a predisposition to interspecific cooperation. However, the importance of dominance in human understanding of social systems has tended to overemphasize its importance in the human-horse relationship. The evolving horse-human relationship from predation to companionship, has resulted in serial conflicts of interest for equine and human participants. Only by understanding the nature and origin of these conflicts can ethologists encourage equine management practices which minimise deleterious effects on the behaviour of the horse. |
| Address |
Anthrozoology Institute, University of Southampton, Bassett Crescent East, Southampton S016 7PX, UK |
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PMID:11314229 |
Approved |
no |
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refbase @ user @ |
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1920 |
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| Author |
Pell, S.M.; McGreevy, P.D. |
| Title |
Prevalence of stereotypic and other problem behaviours in thoroughbred horses |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
1999 |
Publication |
Australian Veterinary Journal |
Abbreviated Journal |
Aust Vet J |
| Volume |
77 |
Issue |
10 |
Pages |
678-679 |
| Keywords |
Animals; *Behavior, Animal; Breeding; Horse Diseases/*epidemiology; Horses/*psychology; New South Wales/epidemiology; Odds Ratio; Prevalence; *Stereotyped Behavior |
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Department of Animal Science, University of Sydney, New South Wales |
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0005-0423 |
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| Notes |
PMID:10590799 |
Approved |
no |
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refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
1927 |
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| Author |
Madigan, J.E.; Kortz, G.; Murphy, C.; Rodger, L. |
| Title |
Photic headshaking in the horse: 7 cases |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
1995 |
Publication |
Equine Veterinary Journal |
Abbreviated Journal |
Equine Vet J |
| Volume |
27 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
306-311 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Anti-Allergic Agents/therapeutic use; *Behavior, Animal; Cyproheptadine/therapeutic use; Female; *Head; Horse Diseases/drug therapy/*etiology; Horses; Light/*adverse effects; Male; Movement Disorders/drug therapy/etiology/*veterinary |
| Abstract |
Seven horses with headshaking are described. No physical abnormalities were detected in any of the cases. Six of these horses had onset of clinical signs in the spring. The role of light was assessed by application of a blindfold or dark grey lens to the eyes, covering the eyes with a face mask and observing the horse in total darkness outdoors. Cessation of headshaking was observed with blindfolding (5/5 horses), night darkness outdoors (4/4 horses) and use of grey lenses (2/3 horses). Outdoor behaviour suggested efforts to avoid light in 4/4 cases. The photic sneeze in man is suggested as a putative mechanism for equine headshaking. Five of 7 horses had improvement with cyproheptadine treatment (0.3 mg/kg bwt b.i.d.). Headshaking developed within 2 calendar weeks of the same date for 3 consecutive years in one horse. Neuropharmacological alterations associated with photoperiod mechanisms leading to optic trigeminal summation are suggested as possible reasons for spring onset of headshaking. |
| Address |
Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis 95616-8737, USA |
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0425-1644 |
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| Notes |
PMID:8536668 |
Approved |
no |
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refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
1940 |
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| Author |
Mills, D.S. |
| Title |
Personality and individual differences in the horse, their significance, use and measurement |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
1998 |
Publication |
Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement |
Abbreviated Journal |
Equine Vet J Suppl |
| Volume |
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Issue |
27 |
Pages |
10-13 |
| Keywords |
Animals; *Behavior, Animal; Horses/*psychology; Personality |
| Abstract |
The biological diversity of a species gives rise to individual differences in behavioural tendency. Traditionally, this variation has been considered to be of little scientific importance or value, but the description and quantification of the fundamental basis of this variability is relevant to many aspects of equine science. The reliable identification of these features may allow the development of more accurate diagnostic and prognostic indicators for a range of clinical diseases. Biologically based traits also provide a more rational basis for selective management and breeding programmes in which specific behavioural tendencies are sought. Individual differences in behaviour also reflect the range of subjective feelings experienced by animals and therefore need to be understood by those concerned with animal welfare. Psychometric techniques concerned with the assessment of personality may provide a suitable basis for scientific study in this field. Potentially methodologies include: behavioural tests, objective behaviour measures or the quantification of reports from those familiar with the subjects. The assessment of the validity and reliability of the variables measured in these tests is an integral part of their development. Interobserver correlation in an experiment based on the subjective rating of 20 horses with respect to 14 familiar terms used to describe horse personality was generally low. This suggests that, with the exception of the terms 'flighty' and 'sharp', the empirical terminology commonly used to describe horse personality is unreliable. |
| Address |
De Montfort University Lincoln, School of Agriculture and Horticulture, Caythorpe, Lincs, UK |
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PMID:10484996 |
Approved |
no |
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refbase @ user @ |
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1932 |
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| Author |
Cooper, J.J.; Mason, G.J. |
| Title |
The identification of abnormal behaviour and behavioural problems in stabled horses and their relationship to horse welfare: a comparative review |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
1998 |
Publication |
Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement |
Abbreviated Journal |
Equine Vet J Suppl |
| Volume |
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Issue |
27 |
Pages |
5-9 |
| Keywords |
*Animal Welfare; Animals; *Behavior, Animal; Horses/*psychology; *Housing, Animal/standards; *Stereotyped Behavior |
| Abstract |
Many behaviours in domestic animals, such as the 'stable vices' of horses, are treated because they are considered undesirable for economic or cultural reasons, and not because the activity affects the horse's quality of life. The impact of a behaviour on the human reporter is not a function of its impact on the animal performer, and an understanding of the causes and effects of the particular activity is necessary to assess the costs and benefits of treatment. Where the behaviour is a sign of poor welfare, such as an inadequate environment, treatment can best be achieved by removing these underlying causal factors. Pharmacological or physical prevention of a behaviour can be justified only if the behaviour causes harm to the performer or to others. In these cases, prevention of the behaviour without addressing its causes is no cure and may result in its perseverance in a modified form or the disruption of the animal's ability to adapt to its environment. Where the behavioural 'problem' causes no harm and is not related to poor housing, then the education of the reporter, rather than treatment of the performer, may be the best solution. |
| Address |
Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, UK |
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PMID:10484995 |
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no |
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refbase @ user @ |
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1933 |
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