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Author Zeitler-Feicht, M. H.; Streit, S.; Dempfle, L.
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 (down) 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.]
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Language Summary Language Original Title
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5765
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Author Visser, E.K.; Van Reenen, C.G.; Engel, B.; Schilder, M.B.H.; Barneveld, A.; Blokhuis, H.J.
Title The association between performance in show-jumping and personality traits earlier in life Type Journal Article
Year 2003 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume 82 Issue 4 Pages 279-295
Keywords (down) Personality; Performance; Horses; Prediction; Individual differences; Behavioural tests
Abstract For a horse to succeed in a show-jumping career, the individual has to possess both excellent physical abilities as well as a suitable personality to perform under challenging conditions. Forty-one Dutch Warmblood horses were used to develop personality tests and correlations between test variables and early training performances in jumping were studied. In behavioural tests, during the first 2 years of the horses' lives, personality aspects like emotionality, reactivity to human and learning abilities were quantified. At the age of 3, horses were broken and received early training in show-jumping. The inter-relationship between several performance variables measured during this early training phase were studied using principal component analysis (PCA). Variables measured in the different personality tests (novel-object test, handling test, avoidance-learning test and a reward-learning test) showed no correlations, suggesting that these tests all triggered different aspects of a horse's personality. This study indicates that it is possible to predict a substantial part of the show-jumping performance of an individual horse later in life by personality traits earlier in life.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 326
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Author Lloyd, A.S.; Martin, J.E.; Bornett-Gauci, H.L.I.; Wilkinson, R.G.
Title Evaluation of a novel method of horse personality assessment: Rater-agreement and links to behaviour Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume 105 Issue 1-3 Pages 205-222
Keywords (down) Personality; Horse; Individual differences; Behaviour; Reliability
Abstract The efficacy of questionnaire-based personality assessment has been shown in a variety of animal and human personality studies. There has been a recent increase in questionnaire-based studies focussing on equine personality but with a lack of comparability to studies on other species. The aim of this study was to test the reliability of an assessment method originally developed for primates and demonstrate reliability using three criteria (1) assessments by independent observers must agree with one another, (2) these assessments must predict behaviours and real-world outcomes and (3) observer ratings must be shown to reflect genuine attributes of the individuals rated, not merely the observer's implicit personality theories about how traits co-vary. The personality of 61 horses (Equus caballus) was assessed using a questionnaire constructed of 30 behaviourally defined adjectives (BDAs). Horses were each assessed by three judges, in addition to a total of 2 h behaviour observations recorded per horse. Rater agreement was demonstrated for 72.1% of the horses and 25 of the BDAs. Principal component analysis was carried out on the rating data and revealed six underlying personality components that were labelled “dominance”, “anxiousness”, “excitability”, “protection”, “sociability” and “inquisitiveness”. Component scores for horses were correlated against behavioural observations for the same horses and revealed significant correlations with 20 of the recorded behaviour variables. Correlations between specific components and their associated behaviours were logical and consistent with the types of behaviours that would be expected to be linked with such personality types. The data were shown to meet all three criteria and provided strong evidence that the assessment method was reliably measuring horse personality.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 1981
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Author Edouard, N.; Fleurance, G.; Dumont, B.; Baumont, R.; Duncan, P.
Title Does sward height affect feeding patch choice and voluntary intake in horses? Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume 119 Issue 3-4 Pages 219-228
Keywords (down) Patch selection; Intake; Sward height; Horse; Pasture
Abstract The numbers of horses grazing at pasture are increasing in developed countries, so a proper understanding of their feeding selectivity and of the tactics they use for extracting nutrients from swards is essential for the management of horses and grasslands. Resource acquisition in herbivores can be optimised through the modulation of their intake and patch selection, both being strongly dependent on the characteristics of swards. However, the principles by which horses adjust their grazing behaviour in response to variations in sward features are not completely understood. The aim of this study was to determine whether the behaviour of horses conforms to optimal foraging models. We hypothesized that, faced with binary choices between vegetative swards of a good and similar quality at three different heights, horses would select the taller sward, i.e. that allowing a higher reward in terms of dry matter intake rate. Three groups of three 2-year-old saddle horses were grazed on a semi-natural pasture that was managed to produce three contrasting sward heights at 6, 11 and 17 cm, in a Latin-square design. The instantaneous intake rate was determined from bite rate measured at pasture on the three sward heights, and bite mass estimated from measurements using swards offered indoors in experimental trays. Daily dry matter intake was estimated individually by total faecal collection and an estimation of digestibility from faecal nitrogen. Short-term (first 30 min) and daily preferences were assessed from the time spent grazing each sward offered in pair-wise tests at pasture. The results show that daily voluntary intake (an average of 21 g DM kg LW-1 day-1) and total grazing time (an average of 14 h day-1) were independent of sward height and of the choice of patches offered. In choice situations, the animals spent more time grazing on the taller sward, both during the first 30 min and at the daily scale. These results show that horses choose between vegetative patches of a good and similar quality according to the predictions from optimal foraging models, and select the one that they can ingest faster. Further research will now have to explore how the horses will adapt their feeding behaviour when they face a trade-off between sward height and quality.
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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 5094
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Author Kimura, R.
Title Volatile substances in feces, urine and urine-marked feces of feral horses Type Journal Article
Year 2001 Publication Canadian Journal of Animal Science Abbreviated Journal Can. J. Anim. Sci.
Volume 81 Issue 3 Pages 411-420
Keywords (down) Odors (volatile), excrement, scent-marking, masking, horse (feral), (releaser) pheromone
Abstract The identity and amount of volatile substances in the feces, urine and feces scent-marked with urine (i.e., feces mixed with urine) of feral horses was determined by acid/steam distillation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The frequency of excretion and scent marking, as evaluated in the breeding and non-breeding seasons, showed clear evidence of seasonal behavioral differences. The concentration of each substance (fatty acids, alcohols, aldehydes, phenols, amines and alkanes) in the feces differed according to maturity, sex and stage in the reproductive process. They had a characteristic chemical fingerprint. Although the levels of tetradecanoic and hexadecanoic acids in the feces of estrous mares were significantly higher than the respective levels in the feces of non-estrous mares, in the case of scent-marked feces by stallions, the levels of them in the feces from estrous mares had decreased to levels similar to those in non-estrous mares. The concentration of these substances in mares were not significantly different. The presence of a high concentration of cresols in the urine of stallions in the breeding season suggests that one role of scent marking by stallions is masking the odor of the feces produced by mares.
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ISSN 0008-3984 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Equine Museum of Japan, 1-3 Negishidai, Nakaku, Yokohama 231, Japan (hidousch@alles.or.jp) Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2314
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Author Graf, P.; König von Borstel, U.; Gauly, M.
Title Practical considerations regarding the implementation of a temperament test into horse performance tests: Results of a large-scale test run Type Journal Article
Year 2014 Publication Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research Abbreviated Journal
Volume 9 Issue 6 Pages 329-340
Keywords (down) novel object test; temperament; personality; horse; performance traits; performance tests
Abstract Abstract Considering the ever-growing demand of various breeding organizations for an objective, inexpensive, reliable, and easily conducted assessment of the behavior of horses, the aim of our study was to implement a novel-object test and a startling test into any kind of breeding performance testing to assess horses' temperament. Additionally, the influence of testing areas (familiar or unfamiliar), riders, and horse factors such as levels of training, breed, and age were of interest. Furthermore, recommendations for the practical implementation concerning the parameters should be given. Therefore, 1,028 horses over a period of 3 years participated in a temperament test consisting of 5 different stimuli. The horses were either ridden (61.8 %) or led by hand (38.2 %) by an unfamiliar professional rider (N = 43) or a familiar rider (N = 20). Live behavioral observations were taken by a trained observer. Overall, horses' scores for reactivity in the present temperament test were distributed over the whole scale, with lower means and higher standard deviations (6.7 ± 2.2-7.6 ± 2.1) than corresponding scores from the conventional personality evaluation in performance tests (7.7 ± 0.8-8.2 ± 0.5; P < 0.01). High correlations (r = 0.3-0.9; P < 0.001) between the scores for reactivity and the other behavioral parameters (emotional expression, activity, time to calm down, rider's aids) show a large influence of these parameters in assessing the horses' temperament. Factors like breed type, sex, and age had significant influences (P < 0.001) on different scores of the temperament test. In most cases, the rider or handler had no influence on the different scores assessed during the temperament test. The training level and the testing modus never had a significant influence on different scores. Only the testing station or location had a small influence on the scores for the stimulus “bridge” in some horses. Based on the results, it could be concluded that an implementation of a temperament tests into performance testing is possible during various types of testing procedure. Especially the assessment of reactivity, emotional expression, interest in the stimulus and rider's aids during and after passing the stimulus, as well as the time to calm down are important parameters for analyzing the horses' personality.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1558-7878 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5867
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Author Henderson, J.V.; Warant, N.K.
Title Reducing Equine Stereotypies Using an Equiball Type Journal Article
Year 2001 Publication Animal Welfare Abbreviated Journal Anim Welfare
Volume 10 Issue 1 Pages 73-80
Keywords (down) NIMAL WELFARE; ENRICHMENT; EQUIBALLTRADE; HORSES; STEREOTYPIC BEHAVIOUR
Abstract It is believed that environmental enrichment techniques can play an important part in creating suitable captive environments for horses. There has, however, been little scientific investigation into the effectiveness of 'stable-toys' which claim to reduce the performance of equine stereotypies. This study investigated the effect of a foraging device known as 'The Equiball' on equine stereotypies. Six horses were given their evening feed in an Equiball, and the occurence of stereotypic behaviour recorded using scan sampling of video observations. Pre-enrichment, horses spent a mean(SD) of 5.27 ? 8.17 per cent of their time in the stable performing stereotypies; and significant individual variation in mean time performing stereotypic behaviour was found (P < 0.05). Several peaks in stereotypy over the day were found, the two main ones corresponding to the times before feeding. A reduction in stereotypic behaviour in five horses, and a small increase in stereotypic behaviour in one horse was observed during enrichment. During enrichment, there was an overall trend for stereotypic behaviour to decrease (P < 0.1). When used in conjunction with other measures such as behaviour therapy, companionship, increased exercise, and so on, the Equiball may help to create an environment less likely to lead to the development of stereotypic behaviours.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 2011
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Author Hendriksen, P.; Elmgreen, K.; Ladewig, J.
Title Trailer-loading of horses: Is there a difference between positive and negative reinforcement concerning effectiveness and stress-related signs? Type Journal Article
Year 2011 Publication Journal of Veterinary Behavior Abbreviated Journal J. Vet. Behav.
Volume 6 Issue 5 Pages 261-266
Keywords (down) negative reinforcement; positive reinforcement; horse; behavior; heart rate; trailer-loading
Abstract The traditional way to train horses is by the application of negative reinforcement (NR). In the past few years, however, the use of positive reinforcement (PR) has become more common. To evaluate the effectiveness and the possible stressor effect of the 2 training methods, 12 horses showing severe trailer-loading problems were selected and exposed to trailer-loading. They were randomly assigned to one of the 2 methods. NR consisted of various degrees of pressure (lead rope pulling, whip tapping). Pressure was removed as soon as the horse complied. PR horses were exposed to clicker training and taught to follow a target into the trailer. Heart rate (HR) was recorded every 5 seconds and behavior denoting discomfort was observed using one-zero sampling with 10 seconds sampling intervals. Training was completed when the horse could enter the trailer upon a signal, or was terminated after a maximum of 15 sessions. Of the 12 horses, 10 reached the criterion within the 15 sessions. One horse was eliminated from the study because of illness and 1 PR horse failed to enter the trailer. A Mann-Whitney U-test indicated that the horses trained with NR displayed significantly more discomfort behavior per training session than horses trained with PR (NR: 13.26 ± 3.25; PR: 3.17 ± 8.93, P < 0.0001) and that horses in the PR group spent less time (second) per session to complete the training criterion (NR: 672.9 ± 247.12; PR: 539.81 ± 166.37, P < 0.01). A Mann-Whitney U-test showed that no difference existed in mean HR (bpm) between the 2 groups (NR: 53.06 ± 11.73 bpm; PR: 55.54 ± 6.7 bpm, P > 0.05), but a Wilcoxon test showed a difference in the PR group between the baseline of HR and mean HR obtained during training sessions (baseline PR: 43 ± 8.83 bpm; PR: 55.54 ± 6.7 bpm, P < 0.05). In conclusion, the PR group provided the fastest training solution and expressed less stress response. Thus, the PR procedure could provide a preferable training solution when training horses in potentially stressing situations.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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ISSN 1558-7878 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6598
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Author Birke, L.
Title “Learning to speak horse”: The culture of “natural horsemanship” Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication Society and Animals Abbreviated Journal
Volume 15 Issue 3 Pages 217-239
Keywords (down) natural horsemanship – riding technologies – communication – social change
Abstract This paper examines the rise of what is popularly called “natural horsemanship” (NH), as a definitive cultural change within the horse industry. Practitioners are often evangelical about their methods, portraying NH as a radical departure from traditional methods. In doing so, they create a clear demarcation from the practices and beliefs of the conventional horse-world. Only NH, advocates argue, properly understands the horse. Dissenters, however, contest the benefits to horses as well as the reliance in NH on disputed concepts of the natural. Advocates, furthermore, sought to rename technologies associated with riding while simultaneously condemning technologies used in conventional training (such as whips). These contested differences create boundaries and enact social inclusion and exclusion, which the paper explores. For horses, the impact of NH is ambiguous: Depending on practitioners, effects could be good or bad. However, for the people involved, NH presents a radical change-which they see as offering markedly better ways of relating to horses and a more inclusive social milieu.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4393
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Author Khalil, A.M.; Kaseda, Y.
Title Behavioral patterns and proximate reason of young male separation in Misaki feral horses Type Journal Article
Year 1997 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume 54 Issue 4 Pages 281-289
Keywords (down) Misaki feral horse; Horse maternal-filial bond; Social behavior; Separation season; Separation reason
Abstract The present investigation was undertaken to study the proximate reasons why and the behavioral patterns of young male Misaki feral horses when they left their natal band or mothers. We observed a total of ten young males twice a month from January 1988 to December 1995. Almost all young males left their natal band or mothers at between 1 and 4 years of age. We found that, during the separation process, all the young males from first parity dams returned several times after the initial separation, indicating a strong attachment between primiparous mares and their male offspring. The other five separated only once without rejoining. Our observations showed five variable behavior patterns of young males at separation time, depending on the consort relation between their mothers and harem stallion and the reason for separation at that time. Eight young males separated in the non-breeding season at average 2.1 years and the other two separated in the breeding season at average 3 years and the average difference was not significant. These results revealed that 80% of the young males separated voluntarily when the natural resources become poor whereas 20% separated when their siblings were born.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2209
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