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Erber, R.; Wulf, M.; Aurich, J.; Becker-Birck, M.; Rose-Meierhöfer, S.; Möstl, E.; Hoffmann, G.; Aurich, C. | ||||
| Title | Physiological stress parameters in sport horse mares transferred from group housing to individual stabling | 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 | horse, isolation, cortisol, heart rate, locomotion | ||||
| Abstract | Initial equestrian training and especially first mounting of a rider are stressful challenges for young horses (1). Most young horses are raised in groups but, in association with equestrian training, they are commonly transferred to individual stabling in loose boxes. Although, in most stables, visual contact with horses in adjacent boxes is possible, separation from the herd might be an additional stressor. We have studied physiological stress parameters, in 3-year-old sport horse mares (n=8), transferred from a group stable with access to a paddock to individual boxes without paddock. Once stabled in the individual boxes, mares underwent a standard training for young horses. Horses had been accustomed to lunging and tolerating a rider on their back several weeks before the study. Mares were studied from 5 days before to 5 days after changing the stable. Cortisol concentration in saliva, locomotion activity (ALT pedometers), heart rate (HR) and HR variability (RMSSD: root mean square of successive beat-to-beat intervals) were determined. We hypothesized that the change of the stable increases cortisol release and is associated with changes in HR and RMSSD and reduced locomotion. Before mares were moved to individual boxes, cortisol concentration showed a pronounced diurnal rhythm with values around 0.6 ng/ ml in the morning and a continuous decrease throughout the day. When the mares were moved to individual boxes, cortisol concentration increased to 1.8±0.2 ng/ml and did not return to baseline values within 6 h (p<0.05 over time). On subsequent days, a diurnal rhythm was re-established but shifted to a higher level than before. Locomotion activity determined by ALT pedometers was increased for some minutes only after mares has been placed in individual boxes but was only slightly higher than during the time mares spent with the group in a paddock. On days 2-5 in individual boxes, locomotion activity was reduced compared to the group stable. HR increased and the HRV variable RMSSD decreased when mares were separated. In conclusion, separating horses during initial training from their group is an additional stressor, although the stress is less pronounced than induced by other social challenges, e.g. weaning of foals (2). When stabled in individual boxes, mares move less than when kept as a group. Horses kept in a group thus appear to exercise themselves freely, such an effect is absent when the animals are kept individually. | ||||
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| Corporate Author | Erber, R. | Thesis | |||
| Publisher | Xenophon Publishing | Place of Publication | Wald | Editor | Krueger, K. |
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| ISSN | 978-3-9808134-26 | ISBN | Medium | ||
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| Notes | Approved | no | |||
| Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 5542 | ||
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| Author |
Grinder, M.I.; Krausman, P.R.; Hoffmann, R.S. | ||||
| Title | Equus asinus | Type | Journal Article | ||
| Year | 2006 | Publication | Mammalian Species | Abbreviated Journal | |
| Volume | 794 | Issue | 1 | Pages | 1-9 |
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| Notes | Approved | no | |||
| Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 4633 | ||
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| Author |
Hoffmann R, | ||||
| Title | On the development of scial behaviour in immature males of a feral horse population | Type | Journal Article | ||
| Year | 1985 | Publication | Abbreviated Journal | Z Säugetierk | |
| Volume | 50 | Issue | Pages | 302-314 | |
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| Notes | from Professor Hans Klingels Equine Reference List | Approved | no | ||
| Call Number | Serial | 1192 | |||
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| Author |
Hoffmann R, | ||||
| Title | Social organization patterns of several Feral horse and Feral ass populations in Central Australia | Type | Journal Article | ||
| Year | 1983 | Publication | Abbreviated Journal | Z Säugetierk | |
| Volume | 48 | Issue | Pages | 124-126 | |
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| Notes | from Professor Hans Klingels Equine Reference List | Approved | no | ||
| Call Number | Serial | 1190 | |||
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Hoffmann R, | ||||
| Title | The development of social behavior in immature males of a feral horse population | Type | Journal Article | ||
| Year | 1983 | Publication | Abbreviated Journal | Diss Tübingen | |
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| Notes | from Professor Hans Klingels Equine Reference List | Approved | no | ||
| Call Number | Serial | 1191 | |||
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Hoffmann R, | ||||
| Title | Gruppentypen und die zugrunde liegenden Verhaltensmechanismen bei Equiden. | Type | Book Whole | ||
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| Notes | from Professor Hans Klingels Equine Reference List | Approved | no | ||
| Call Number | Serial | 1189 | |||
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| Author |
Hoffmann, G.; Bentke, A.; Rose-Meierhöfer, S.; Berg, W.; Mazetti, P.; Hardarson, G.H. | ||||
| Title | Influence of an active stable system on the behavior and body condition of Icelandic horses | Type | Journal Article | ||
| Year | 2012 | Publication | animal | Abbreviated Journal | |
| Volume | 6 | Issue | 10 | Pages | 1684-1693 |
| Keywords | activity, automatic feeding system, behavior, body condition score, Icelandic horse | ||||
| Abstract | Horses are often stabled in individual boxes, a method that does not meet their natural needs and may cause psychical and musculoskeletal diseases. This problem is particularly evident in Iceland, where horses often spend the long winter periods in cramped boxes. The aim of this study was to analyze the suitability of a group housing system in Iceland, but the results are also applicable to horses of other regions. Eight Icelandic horses were observed in an active stable system, and their behavior and time budget were recorded. Movement and lying behavior were studied with ALT (Activity, Lying, Temperature detection) pedometers. The effect of an automatic concentrate feeding station (CFS) on the horses’ behavior was examined. In the first period of investigation, the horses were fed concentrates manually, and in the second period, they were fed with the CFS. Additional behavioral observations and a determination of social hierarchy occurred directly or by video surveillance. The physical condition of the horses was recorded by body weight (BW) measurement and body condition scoring (BCS). The results showed a significant increase between the first and second trial periods in both the activity (P,0.001) and the lying time (P50.003) of the horses with use of the CFS. However, there was no significant change in BW during the first period without the CFS (P50.884) or during the second period with the CFS (P50.540). The BCS of the horses was constant at a very good level during both trial periods, and the horses showed a low level of aggression, a firm social hierarchy and behavioral synchronization. This study concludes that group housing according to the active stable principle is a welfare-friendly option for keeping horses and is a suitable alternative to conventional individual boxes. |
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| Publisher | Cambridge Journals Online | Place of Publication | Editor | ||
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| ISSN | 1751-732x | ISBN | Medium | ||
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| Notes | Approved | no | |||
| Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 5759 | ||
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| Author |
Hoffmann, G.; Bockisch, F.-J.; Kreimeier, P. | ||||
| Title | Einfluss des Haltungssystems auf die Bewegungsaktivität und Stressbelastung bei Pferden in Auslaufhaltungssystemen | Type | Journal Article | ||
| Year | 2009 | Publication | Landbauforschung – vTI Agriculture and Forestry Research | Abbreviated Journal | |
| Volume | 2 | Issue | 59 | Pages | 105-112 |
| Keywords | Bewegung, Cortisol, Herzfrequenzvariabilität (HFV), Pferd, Verhalten [movement, cortisol, heart rate variability (HRV), horse, behaviour] | ||||
| Abstract | Frühere Untersuchungen haben gezeigt, dass die tägliche Bewegung für die Gesunderhaltung der Pferde notwendig ist. Inwieweit sich jedoch unterschiedliche Bewegungsangebote auf das Stress-und Bewegungsverhalten von Pferden in einer Gruppen-Auslaufhaltung auswirken und ob der Bewegungsbedarf der Pferde durch eine Auslaufhaltung ohne zusätzliche Bewegung gedeckt werden kann, ist der Literatur bisher nicht zu entnehmen. Daher sollte in der nachfolgend beschriebenen Untersuchung der Frage nachgegangen werden, welche Auswirkungen verschiedene Bewegungsangebote auf die Bewegungsaktivität von Pferden in Gruppen-Auslaufhaltungen haben und ob diese das Wohlbefinden der Tiere beeinflussen. Letzteres wurde durch Messung der Herzfrequenzvariabilität und Bestimmung von Cortisolmetaboliten im Pferdekot erfasst und die Bewegungsaktivität der Pferde wurde mit ALT-Pedometern bestimmt. Verglichen wurden eine Einzel-und Gruppenhaltung mit jeweils angrenzendem Auslauf, aber ohne eine zusätzliche Bewegung der Pferde außerhalb des Stalls. In drei weiteren Varianten der Gruppenhaltung bekamen die Pferde täglichen Auslauf auf einer unbegrünten Koppel, auf einer Weide oder durch gezielte Bewegung in einer Führanlage. Die Bewegungsaktivität konnte durch die zusätzliche Bewegung in Form von Weide oder Führanlage signifikant gesteigert werden. Ein zusätzliches Bewegungsangebot führte bei den Pferden zu einer Abnahme der Stressbelastung und sollte auch den Pferden ermöglicht werden, die in einer Gruppenhaltung gehalten werden, um ihre physische und psychische Gesundheit zu erhalten. [Former studies confirm the necessity of daily movement for the health of a horse. But so far no description could be found in the literature how different movement offerings impact the stress and movement behaviour of horses in group husbandries with close-by discharge. The same holds true for the question whether a discharge husbandry system can meet the movement requirements of horses if there isn�t any additional movement possibility. The aim of the present study was to examine different movement offerings, their effects on the movement activities of horses in a group horse husbandry with close-by discharge and the impact of the movement on the wellbeing of the animals. The heart rate variability and the concentration of the cortisol metabolites in the horse excrement were analyzed for detecting the wellbeing of the horses. Additionally ALT-Pedometers were used for determining the movement activity. A single and a group husbandry system, each with closeby discharge, were compared when horses had no additional movement outside the stable. In three further variants the group husbandry was supplemented with daily time on a non-grassy pasture land, a pasture or in a horse walker. Pasture or horse walker increased movement activity significantly. Nevertheless an additional movement offering resulted in a lower stress load of the horses and should also be allowed to horses in group husbandry systems to ensure the horse�s physical and mental health.] |
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| Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 5661 | ||
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| Author |
Hoffmann; G. | ||||
| Title | Bewegungsaktivität und Stressbelastung bei Pferden in Auslaufhaltungssystemen mit verschiedenen Bewegungsangeboten | Type | Manuscript | ||
| Year | 2008 | Publication | Dissertation | Abbreviated Journal | |
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| 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.] |
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| Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 5660 | ||
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Lamoot, I.; Callebaut, J.; Degezelle, T.; Demeulenaere, E.; Laquiere, J.; Vandenberghe, C.; Hoffmann, M. | ||||
| Title | Eliminative behaviour of free-ranging horses: do they show latrine behaviour or do they defecate where they graze? | Type | Journal Article | ||
| Year | 2004 | Publication | Applied Animal Behaviour Science | Abbreviated Journal | Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
| Volume | 86 | Issue | 1-2 | Pages | 105-121 |
| Keywords | Equids; Faeces avoidance; Grazing behaviour; Spatial differentiation; Urine; Horse marking | ||||
| Abstract | In contrast to horses in pastures, it is thought that free-ranging horses do not perform latrine behaviour, i.e. a behavioural pattern whereby the animals graze and defecate in separate areas. However, few studies deal with this particular subject, reporting contrasting conclusions. We hypothesize that horses free-ranging in large heterogeneous areas do not perform latrine behaviour. Thus, we believe that grazing and elimination behaviour are spatially related: where horses graze, they will also defecate. Behavioural data were collected from Konik horses, Haflinger horses, Shetland ponies and donkeys, grazing in different nature reserves (54-80 ha). Data for the different equids were analyzed separately, as well as data for mares and stallions (Konik and donkey stallions only). We investigated the proportion of the number of defecations/urinations while grazing on the total number of defecations/urinations; furthermore, we searched for the sequence of behaviours representing latrine behaviour in the strict sense. Additionally, we analyzed the correlation between grazing behaviour and eliminative behaviour on both vegetation type level and patch level. All the female equids often continued grazing while defecating. During urination, grazing ceases in the majority of instances. Cases where a mare terminated grazing in a certain vegetation type and sward height to eliminate in another vegetation type or in another sward height within the same vegetation type were rarely observed. On the vegetation type level as well as on the patch level, there was a highly significant (P<0.001) positive correlation between grazing time and number of eliminations (or eliminating time). The high values of the correlation coefficients (in case of the defecation variables r ranges between 0.553 and 0.955; in case of the urination variables r ranges between 0.370 and 0.839) illustrate that the spatial distribution of the eliminative behaviour can be explained to a high degree by the spatial distribution of the grazing behaviour. Results in the case of the stallions are preliminary, but indicate the same pattern. Horses, free-ranging in large heterogeneous areas, do not perform latrine behaviour, but defecate where they graze. Possibly, animal density is of major importance to explain this behavioural difference with horses in pastures. We suggest that also spatial vegetation heterogeneity and plant productivity of the grazed area, as well as parasite status of the grazing animals could play a role. | ||||
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| Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 2339 | ||
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