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Author (up) Flauger, B. url  openurl
  Title The introduction of horses into new social groups with special regard to their stress level Type Manuscript
  Year 2011 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords Pferd; Equiden; Eingliederungstechnik; Integrationspferd; Stress; Cortisol; Endokrine Reaktion; Gruppenhaltung; Verletzungsgefahr; Aggression; Futterplatzwahl; Kot; Geruchssinn; Mensch-Pferd Interaktion; horse; equids; introduction technique; integration horse; stress; cortisol; endocrine response; group housing; injury risk; aggression; feeding decision; faecal sample; olfaction; human-horse interaction  
  Abstract Horses are a highly social species living in complex social systems which should require them to memorise and generalise social experiences and distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar conspecifics. In the main part of my thesis I concentrated on the specific conflict situation of a horse being introduced into a new social group, and investigated its behaviour and stress level. Horses were either introduced (1) immediately, (2) after an observation period, or (3) together with an integration horse after an observation period. Additionally, in the second part of my thesis I arranged several experiments to elaborate additional aspects which could affect the behaviour of horses during introductions. In this study I could describe a simplified method for measuring stress through the analysis of faecal GCMs in horses. An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for 11-oxoaetiocholanolone using 11-oxoaetiocholanolone-17-CMO: BSA (3?,11-oxo-A EIA) as antigen showed high amounts of immunoreactive substances. The new assay increases the accuracy of the test and lowers the expenses per sample; also storing of samples at room temperature after collection is less critical. This is a big advantage both in the field of wildlife management of equids and in the field of equestrian sports (chapter 1). Comparing the different introduction techniques, the introduction with an integration horse led to significantly less total interactions and lower levels of aggression than the introduction of single horses, both immediately and after several days of observing the new group. Additionally, by observing the behaviour of the horses during everyday sociality I could develop a formula describing the interrelationship between expected aggression level and enclosure size per horse. The curve takes an exponential shape. Starting from a space allowance of 300 m2 and more per horse, the amount of aggressions per hour approaches zero. For the reduction of aggression levels and injury risks in socially kept horses I recommend an enclosure size of at least 300 m2 per horse (chapter 2). I further investigated the stress level of the introduced animals. Horses which were immediately introduced did not show elevated faecal GCMs. In contrast, horses which were introduced after an observation period had slightly elevated values 2 and 3 days after the introduction. For horses introduced together with an integration horse faecal GCMs were significantly above the baseline value on the day of introduction and 1 day after it. These differences between introduction techniques indicate that the introduction event itself is not as stressful as previously assumed. Rather standing together with an integration horse and not being able to integrate immediately into the complete group elicits stress in horses (chapter 3). In the commentary of chapter 4 several studies are discussed which failed to demonstrate social learning in horses. It is argued that they did not consider important aspects which could have an influence, such as the dominance status or the social background of the horses (chapter 4). In chapter 5 a social feeding situation was investigated. The social rank as well as the position of conspecifics affected the feeding strategy of horses. Domestic horses used social cognition and strategic decision making in order to decide where to feed. When possible they tended to return to the same, continuously supplied feeding site and switched to an ?avoidance tendency? in the presence of dominant horses or when another horse was already feeding there (chapter 5). One possibility to recognize group members is through olfactory recognition. In chapter 6 it is shown that horses are able to distinguish their own from their conspecifics? faeces. In addition, they paid most attention to the faeces of those group members from which they received the highest amount of aggressive behaviour (chapter 6). Horses show cognitive abilities because they are able to use humans as local enhancement cues when searching for food, independently of their body posture or gaze consistency when the persons face them. Moreover, they seem to orientate on the attention of familiar persons more than of unfamiliar persons (chapter 7). Altogether, the results of this thesis provide further support for the view that horses show good conflict resolution strategies. They are perfectly able to deal with the conflict situation of being introduced to new group members, and the introduction event itself is not as stressful as previously assumed. It is rather suggested that standing together with an integration horse and not being able to integrate immediately into the complete group elicits stress in horses. All additional experimental set-ups could demonstrate that horses are well capable of social cognition.  
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  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ epub18463 Serial 5736  
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Author (up) Gasser, R.B.; Hung, G.-C.; Chilton, N.B.; Beveridge, I. doi  openurl
  Title Advances in developing molecular-diagnostic tools for strongyloid nematodes of equids: fundamental and applied implications Type Journal Article
  Year 2004 Publication Molecular and Cellular Probes Abbreviated Journal Mol Cell Probes  
  Volume 18 Issue 1 Pages 3-16  
  Keywords Animals; DNA, Helminth; DNA, Ribosomal/analysis; Equidae/*parasitology; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques/*methods; Parasitic Diseases, Animal/diagnosis; Strongylida/classification/genetics; Strongylida Infections/*diagnosis/epidemiology/etiology/veterinary  
  Abstract Infections of equids with parasitic nematodes of the order Strongylida (subfamilies Strongylinae and Cyathostominae) are of major veterinary importance. In last decades, the widespread use of drugs against these parasites has led to problems of resistance within the Cyathostominae, and to an increase in their prevalence and intensity of infection. Novel control strategies, based on improved knowledge of parasite biology and epidemiology, have thus become important. However, there are substantial limitations in the understanding of fundamental biological and systematic aspects of these parasites, which have been due largely to limitations in their specific identification and diagnosis using traditional, morphological approaches. Recently, there has been progress in the development of DNA-based approaches for the specific identification of strongyloids of equids for systematic studies and disease diagnosis. The present article briefly reviews information on the classification, biology, pathogenesis, epidemiology of equine strongyloids and the diagnosis of infections, highlights knowledge gaps in these areas, describes recent advances in the use of molecular techniques for the genetic characterisation, specific identification and differentiation of strongyloids of equids as a basis for fundamental investigations of the systematics, population biology and ecology.  
  Address Department of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia. robinbg@unimelb.edu.au  
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  ISSN 0890-8508 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes PMID:15036364 Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2636  
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Author (up) h:, M.; Lévy, F.; Fortin, M.; Leterrier, C.; LansadLansade, L. url  doi
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  Title Stress and temperament affect working memory performance for disappearing food in horses, Equus caballus Type Journal Article
  Year 2013 Publication Animal Behaviour Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 86 Issue 6 Pages 1233-1240  
  Keywords delayed-response task emotion; equid; Equus caballus; fearfulness; individual difference; personality; stress; temperament  
  Abstract In the present study, we sought to determine the influence of stress and temperament on working memory for disappearing food in horses. After assessment of five dimensions of temperament, we tested working memory of horses using a delayed-response task requiring a choice between two food locations. Delays ranging from 0 to 20 s were tested. The duration of working memory for disappearing food was first characterized without stressors (N = 26). The horses were then divided into two groups and their performance was assessed under stressful (exposure to acute stressors prior to testing, N = 12) or control conditions (N = 12). Results showed that the duration of working memory for disappearing food lasted at least 20 s under nonstressful conditions, and that under stressful conditions this duration lasted less than 12 s. This stress-induced impairment confirms in a nonrodent species that working memory performance is very sensitive to exposure to stressors. In addition, working memory performance in horses is influenced by the temperamental dimension of fearfulness according to the state of stress: fearful horses showed better performance under control conditions and worse performance under stressful conditions than nonfearful horses. These findings are discussed in the context of the Yerkes–Dodson law of stress and performance.  
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  ISSN 0003-3472 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5746  
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Author (up) Haring, H. openurl 
  Title Development, level and prospects of the german horse breeding Type Journal Article
  Year 2005 Publication Zuechtungskunde Abbreviated Journal Zuechtungskunde  
  Volume 77 Issue 6 Pages 490-495  
  Keywords Breeding program; Breeding/Member association; Change of structure; Estimation of breeding values; Fédération Equestre Nationale (FN)/German Equestrian Federation; Step of selection; Equidae; Equus caballus  
  Abstract The economic impact of the horses of the Federal Republic of Germany has gone up, the statistic numerals verify obviously that Germany took pride of place in Europe in terms of numbers of riders as well as numbers of horses. Successes of German branded horses let their breeders reach the summit worldwide. The carefully agreed breeding programme connects practical cognitions with those of science and permits the leading breeding areas unobstructed space to set their own priorities. Globalisation and rised demand of customers forces breeding associations towards a far-reaching reorganisation because just large powerful institutions can meet these requirements. An end of this process, which scarcely has just begun, cannot yet be conceivable seen. – Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart.  
  Address Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung e. V., 48229 Warendorf, Germany  
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  ISSN 00445401 (Issn) ISBN Medium  
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  Notes Cited By (since 1996): 1; Export Date: 21 April 2007; Source: Scopus; Language of Original Document: German; Correspondence Address: Haring, H.; Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung e. V. 48229 Warendorf, Germany; email: Hharing@fn-dokr.de Approved no  
  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 791  
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Author (up) Kiltie, R.A.; Fan, J.; Laine, A.F. openurl 
  Title A wavelet-based metric for visual texture discrimination with applications in evolutionary ecology Type Journal Article
  Year 1995 Publication Mathematical Biosciences Abbreviated Journal Math Biosci  
  Volume 126 Issue 1 Pages 21-39  
  Keywords Animals; Carnivora; *Ecology; Equidae; *Evolution; Humans; Mathematics; Models, Biological; Moths; *Pattern Recognition, Visual; Pigmentation  
  Abstract Much work on natural and sexual selection is concerned with the conspicuousness of visual patterns (textures) on animal and plant surfaces. Previous attempts by evolutionary biologists to quantify apparency of such textures have involved subjective estimates of conspicuousness or statistical analyses based on transect samples. We present a method based on wavelet analysis that avoids subjectivity and that uses more of the information in image textures than transects do. Like the human visual system for texture discrimination, and probably like that of other vertebrates, this method is based on localized analysis of orientation and frequency components of the patterns composing visual textures. As examples of the metric's utility, we present analyses of crypsis for tigers, zebras, and peppered moth morphs.  
  Address Department of Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville  
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  ISSN 0025-5564 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes PMID:7696817 Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2660  
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Author (up) Kirkpatrick, J.F.; Turner, J.W.J.; Liu, I.K.; Fayrer-Hosken, R.; Rutberg, A.T. openurl 
  Title Case studies in wildlife immunocontraception: wild and feral equids and white-tailed deer Type Journal Article
  Year 1997 Publication Reproduction, fertility, and development Abbreviated Journal Reprod Fertil Dev  
  Volume 9 Issue 1 Pages 105-110  
  Keywords Animals; Antigens/immunology; Contraception, Immunologic/*veterinary; *Deer; *Equidae; Female; Immunization, Secondary; Pest Control/*methods; Pregnancy; Swine; Vaccines/administration & dosage; Zona Pellucida/immunology  
  Abstract Non-lethal management methods are required for wild equids that are protected by law and for deer inhabiting areas where lethal controls are not legal or safe. Single or multiple inoculations of porcine zona pellucida (PZP) vaccine have been delivered to wild horses and deer by means of darts. Contraceptive efficacy in horses after two inoculations ranged from 90% to 100%, and after a single inoculation ranged from 19% to 28%. Mares given a controlled-release form of the vaccine had foaling rates ranging from 7% to 20%. No detectable changes in social organization or behaviours among treated horses occurred. Contraceptive effects were reversible after 4 consecutive years of treatment but 5-7 years of treatment resulted in ovulation failure and decreased urinary oestrogen concentrations. Among deer, two inoculations were 70-100% effective in preventing fawns, but one inoculation yielded a contraceptive efficacy of < or = 20%, with pregnancies occurring late in the breeding season; a single annual booster inoculation reduced fertility to 20% in the second year. Energy costs of extended breeding seasons were less than those resulting from pregnancy. After two years of treatment, ovaries appeared normal. These studies suggest that PZP immunocontraception can be successfully applied to certain free-roaming populations of wild horses and deer.  
  Address ZooMontana, Billings 59108, USA  
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  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1031-3613 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes PMID:9109199 Approved no  
  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 143  
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Author (up) Lamoot, I.; Callebaut, J.; Degezelle, T.; Demeulenaere, E.; Laquiere, J.; Vandenberghe, C.; Hoffmann, M. url  doi
openurl 
  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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Author (up) Lamoot, I.; Callebaut, J.; Demeulenaere, E.; Vandenberghe, C.; Hoffmann, M. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Foraging behaviour of donkeys grazing in a coastal dune area in temperate climate conditions Type Journal Article
  Year 2005 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.  
  Volume 92 Issue 1-2 Pages 93-112  
  Keywords Grazing behaviour; Habitat use; Donkey; Equid; Diet composition  
  Abstract A small herd of donkeys was introduced in a coastal dune reserve `Houtsaegerduinen' (ca. 80 ha) in Belgium, in order to slow down expansion of dominant grass and shrub species. The Houtsaegerduinen is a nutrient poor scrub-dominated dune system with a spatially heterogeneous vegetation pattern. Different aspects of the grazing behaviour (grazing time, bite rate, habitat use, diet composition) of the free-ranging donkeys are described and analysed. Behavioural data (of maximum six adult mares) were collected through continuous focal animal observation in three consecutive years (1998-2001). Temporal variation in grazing time, habitat use and diet composition was determined. During daylight, donkeys spent most of their time on grazing (56%). In all 3 years, grazing time was significantly shorter in summer (45% of their time), longest grazing times were achieved in spring (64%). In spring, the donkeys also achieved the highest bite rate (21.5 bites/min). The grassy habitat was preferred for foraging in all seasons, while the use of scrub and woodland was variable over time. Averaged over the four seasons, the general diet consisted for 80% of graminoids, 10% of forbs and 10% of woody plants. However, diet composition varied not only among seasons and years, but depended also on the foraged habitat type. We discuss the possible role of the donkeys in nature management.  
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  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2338  
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Author (up) Linklater, W.L. doi  openurl
  Title Adaptive explanation in socio-ecology: lessons from the Equidae Type Journal Article
  Year 2000 Publication Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society Abbreviated Journal Biol. Rev.  
  Volume 75 Issue 1 Pages 1-20  
  Keywords *Adaptation, Physiological; Animals; Ecology; Equidae/*physiology; Female; Male; Phylogeny  
  Abstract Socio-ecological explanations for intra- and interspecific variation in the social and spatial organization of animals predominate in the scientific literature. The socio-ecological model, developed first for the Bovidae and Cervidae, is commonly applied more widely to other groups including the Equidae. Intraspecific comparisons are particularly valuable because they allow the role of environment and demography on social and spatial organization to be understood while controlling for phylogeny or morphology which confound interspecific comparisons. Feral horse (Equus caballus Linnaeus 1758) populations with different demography inhabit a range of environments throughout the world. I use 56 reports to obtain 23 measures or characteristics of the behaviour and the social and spatial organization of 19 feral horse populations in which the environment, demography, management, research effort and sample size are also described. Comparison shows that different populations had remarkably similar social and spatial organization and that group sizes and composition, and home range sizes varied as much within as between populations. I assess the few exceptions to uniformity and conclude that they are due to the attributes of the studies themselves, particularly to poor definition of terms and inadequate empiricism, rather than to the environment or demography per se. Interspecific comparisons show that equid species adhere to their different social and spatial organizations despite similarities in their environments and even when species are sympatric. Furthermore, equid male territoriality has been ill-defined in previous studies, observations presented as evidence of territoriality are also found in non-territorial equids, and populations of supposedly territorial species demonstrate female defence polygyny. Thus, territoriality may not be a useful categorization in the Equidae. Moreover, although equid socio-ecologists have relied on the socio-ecological model derived from the extremely diverse Bovidae and Cervidae for explanations of variation in equine society, the homomorphic, but large and polygynous, and monogeneric Equidae do not support previous socio-ecological explanations for relationships between body size, mating system and sexual dimorphism in ungulates. Consequently, in spite of the efforts of numerous authors during the past two decades, functional explanations of apparent differences in feral horse and equid social and spatial organization and behaviour based on assumptions of their current utility in the environmental or demographic context remain unconvincing. Nevertheless, differences in social cohesion between species that are insensitive to intra- and interspecific variation in habitat and predation pressure warrant explanation. Thus, I propose alternative avenues of inquiry including testing for species-specific differences in inter-individual aggression and investigating the role of phylogenetic constraints in equine society. The Equidae are evidence of the relative importance of phylogeny and biological structure, and unimportance of the present-day environment, in animal behaviour and social and spatial organization.  
  Address Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand  
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  ISSN 1464-7931 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes PMID:10740891 Approved no  
  Call Number Serial 2024  
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Author (up) Macfadden, B.J. doi  openurl
  Title Evolution. Fossil horses--evidence for evolution Type Journal Article
  Year 2005 Publication Science (New York, N.Y.) Abbreviated Journal Science  
  Volume 307 Issue 5716 Pages 1728-1730  
  Keywords Animals; Body Size; DNA, Mitochondrial; Diet; *Equidae/anatomy & histology/classification/genetics; *Evolution; Feeding Behavior; *Fossils; *Horses/anatomy & histology/classification/genetics; Paleodontology; Phylogeny; Time; Tooth/anatomy & histology  
  Abstract  
  Address Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA. bmacfadd@flmnh.ufl.edu  
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  ISSN 1095-9203 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes PMID:15774746 Approved no  
  Call Number Serial 1892  
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