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Author (up) Burger, D.; Baumgartner, M.; Schauer, S. N.; Wägeli, S.; Aurich, C.; Gerber, V.
Title Influence of the recipient mare on character traits of adult offspring in a Warmblood embryo transfer program – preliminary results Type Conference Article
Year 2008 Publication IESM 2008 Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords
Abstract The influence of recipient mares in commercial embryo transfer (ET) programs

on behavior of the ET foals is a matter of great interest and controversial discussion.

Presently, no interdisciplinary ethological and reproductive studies on this topic exist.

However, empirical experience suggests that behavioral traits of the recipient mare do not

influence those of the foal, thus implying a predominantly genetic origin of a horse“s basic

character. Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of recipient

mares on behavioural traits of their ET products.

Materials and Methods: Based on records of the embryo transfer program in Warmblood

horses since 1990 at the Swiss National Stud, questionnaires concerning behavior,

stereotypies and mother-foal-relationship were designed and completed by telephone

interview: 18 scientifically assessed questions provided the basis for a linear description

(Equine Personality Assessment Questionnaire, Lloyd et al., 2007). They were grouped in a)

emotivity, b) social motivation, c) general level of activity, d) stress behavior, e) learning

capacity and f) reactions towards humans. Questionnaires were designed for the owners of the

ET offspring (minimum of three years of age), the sires, donor mares and the recipient mares.

Out of 200 questionnaires, 25 complete ET families have emerged so far and were analysed.

All genetic parents were Warmblood horses, as were 23 of the recipient mares, the other two

were Franches-Montagnes horses.

Results: Comparing the mean values of the four groups (genetic dam and sire, recipient mare

and ET product), significant differences were found for the parameters emotivity (sires lower,

p<0.001), learning behaviour (recipient mares lower, p<0.05) and activity (recipient mares

lower, p<0.05). With only one exception, the multiple variable regression analysis found no

significant influence of the recipient mare on the ET product. The only significant effect

observed, was that of the social motivation of the recipient mare on the learning capacity of

the ET offspring (r2= -0.421, p<0.05). In contrast, numerous significant effects of behavioural

traits of the genetic dams and sires on their ET offspring (10 and 8, respectively) were

observed.

Conclusions: These preliminary results confirm field observations that the influence of the

recipient mare does not play an important role in character development of the ET offspring.

However, the investigated parameters indicate that the behavioural traits of the genetic parents

appear to have a strong influence on the offspring”s behaviour.. This study model promises

new achievements in the evaluation of genetic and environmental effects on the behavior of a

horse.

References

Lloyd, AS, Martin, JE, Bornett-Gauci, HLI, Wilkinson, RG (2007). Evaluation of a novel

method of horse personality asses
Address
Corporate Author Baumgartner, M. 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 IESM 2008
Notes Talk 15 min IESM 2008 Approved yes
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4485
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Author (up) Burger, J.; Gochfeld.
Title Vigilance in African mammals: differences among mothers, other females, and males. Type Journal Article
Year 1994 Publication Behaviour Abbreviated Journal Behaviour
Volume 131 Issue 3-4 Pages 153-169
Keywords
Abstract
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 2252
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Author (up) Giese,; C. Giese; Gerber,; V. Gerber; Howald,; M. Howald; Bachmann,; I. Bachmann; Burger,; D. Burger
Title Stressbelastung und Verhalten von Pferden in stromführenden gegenüber nicht stromführenden Führanlagen Type Journal Article
Year 2014 Publication Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde Abbreviated Journal SAT
Volume 156 Issue 4 Pages 163-169
Keywords
Abstract Um die Stressbelastung von Pferden in Führanlagen zu vergleichen, wurden 12 Pferde während 3 Wochen in einer Führanlage mit und ohne stromführenden (3.7 kV) Abtrennungen bewegt. Zur Ermittlung der Stressbelastung wurden die Cortisolwerte im Blut gemessen, die Herzschlagfrequenz mittels Polar® registriert und das Verhalten erfasst. Weder die Cortisol- noch die Herzfrequenzmessungen zeigten einen bedeutenden signifikanten Unterschied zwischen Pferden, die in einer stromführenden beziehungsweise nicht stromführenden Führanlage gingen. Die höchsten Cortisol- und Herzfrequenzwerte wurden in der ersten Woche (Angewöhnungsphase) verzeichnet. Signifikante Unterschiede wurden bei den Verhaltensparametern «Spontanes Wechseln des Abteils» und «Kontakt mit der Trennwand» beobachtet: Während solche vor allem in der ersten Woche und vor dem ersten Stromeinsatz vorkamen, zeigte kein Pferd einen Abteilwechsel während und nach dem Stromeinsatz. Die Resultate dieser Studie deuten darauf hin, dass der Einsatz von stromführenden Abtrennungen in Führanlagen für Pferde keinen bedeutenden messbaren Stress verursacht.
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 5794
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Author (up) Rapin, V.; Poncet, P.A.; Burger, D.; Mermod, C.; Richard, M.A.
Title [Measurement of the attention time in the horse] Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde Abbreviated Journal Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd
Volume 149 Issue 2 Pages 77-83
Keywords Age Factors; Animals; *Attention/physiology; Conditioning, Operant; Cross-Over Studies; Female; Horses/*physiology; Learning/*physiology; Male; Memory/*physiology; Time Factors
Abstract A study carried out on 49 horses showed that it is possible to measure the attention time by operant conditioning. After teaching horses an instrumental task using a signal, we were then able to test their attention time by asking them to prolong it increasingly while setting success and failure criteria. Two tests were performed 3 weeks apart. The 2nd test was feasible without relearning, a proof of memory, and was repeatable, a proof of consistency in the attention time. A significant difference was observed between the 3 age groups. Young horses often performed very well during the 1st test but their attention dropped in the 2nd test while older horses were more stable with respect to attention and even increased it slightly. The study shows that there are individual differences but it was not possible to prove a significant influence of breed, gender and paternal influence. Consequently, learning appears to be one of the most interesting approaches for evaluating the attention of horses and for observing their behaviour.
Address Laboratoire d'Ecoethologie, Universite de Neuchatel, Suisse. veronique.rapin@unine.ch
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language French Summary Language Original Title Mesure de la duree d'attention chez le cheval
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0036-7281 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:17343134 Approved no
Call Number Serial 1770
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