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Author McCall, C.A.; Salters, M.A.; Johnson, K.B.; Silverman, S.J.; McElhenney, W.H.; Lishak, R.S. url  openurl
  Title (up) Equine utilization of a previously learned visual stimulus to solve a novel task Type Journal Article
  Year 2003 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.  
  Volume 82 Issue 3 Pages 163-172  
  Keywords Horse; Learned stimulus; Novel task; Discrimination  
  Abstract Forty-four horses were used to determine if a learned stimulus could be used to increase acquisition of a response unrelated to the original learned task. Horses were paired by age, breed and sex. One randomly chosen horse from each pair served as the control while the remaining horse was trained to respond to a visual stimulus by pushing a lever to obtain a food reward. In Experiment I (n=28), the food reward was delivered in a feed box located equidistant between two levers located 2.7 m apart on one wall of the test stall. Trained horses were given 30 training trials daily until they achieved at least 85% correct responses in three nonconsecutive days. After each trained horse reached criterion, both horses in the pair were tested in 30 trials daily for five consecutive days in a modified Y maze. The stimulus that indicated the correct lever in the initial training task was used to signify the correct arm of the maze for both the control and trained horses. The correct arm of the maze was changed randomly during each daily session, and correct choices resulted in a food reward. In Experiment II (n=16), levers were located on opposite walls (11 m apart) of the test stall, and the stimulus and modified Y maze were simplified. Trained horses received 15 training trials daily until they reached at least 85% correct responses on three consecutive days. As each trained horse achieved this criterion, both horses in the pair were tested in a maze for 15 trials daily for 7 days. Again, the stimulus from initial lever-pressing task was used to signify the rewarded arm of the maze. Correct choices of trained and control horses in both experiments were compared using a paired t-test. In Experiment I, no differences (P>0.34) in mean correct responses were detected between trained and control horses on the first day in the maze (15.3 and 16.8, respectively) or after 5 days in the maze (84.0 and 82.1, respectively). Similarly, in Experiment II, trained and control horses did not differ (P>0.50) in mean correct responses on the first day (6.9 and 7.4, respectively) or after 7 days in the maze (63.6 and 61.6, respectively). These results indicate that the stimuli used to solve the lever-pressing task were not utilized by horses in the maze task, and that horses may have difficulty transferring learned visual stimuli to new tasks.  
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  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3587  
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Author Viksten, S.; Blokhuis, H.; Visser, K.; Nyman, S pdf  openurl
  Title (up) Equine welfare assessment and feedback to owners Type Conference Article
  Year 2015 Publication Proceedings of the 3. International Equine Science Meeting Abbreviated Journal Proc. 3. Int. Equine. Sci. Mtg  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords  
  Abstract To assess horse welfare and develop a system for feedback to horse owners is the aim of the present study. A protocol developed in line with the Welfare Quality® project was used to assess 26 stables and 497 horses. Questionnaires were used to investigate what kind of feedback horse owners wanted and where they currently got their questions about horse welfare answered. The questionnaire was sent to participating stables and made available to the public via websites and social media.

Questionnaires revealed that 38% retrieved information from popular science articles, 77% from discussions with peers while 8% generally perceived their peers to lack knowledge on horse welfare. Factors affecting decision making were horse health (85%) and economy (38%). 85% wanted exhaustive information and advice on improvements, 69% preferred to get feedback as a digital document and 92% were interested in benchmarking.

Answers from participating stables lead to the development of a feedback consisting of results, scientific background of used measures, copies of assessment protocols for each horse, supportive telephone calls regarding decision making and benchmarking from all participating stables.

Questionnaires to the public had 688 respondents of which 54% were amateur riders/drivers. Main questions respondents had regarding horse welfare were within feeding regimes (62%), housing (57%) and field size (54%). Main motivational factors in decision making was horse health (83%) and behavioural problems (71%). 81% got information about horse welfare and support for changes from discussions with peers and 63% based decisions on their own personal opinion. 91% were interested in benchmarking scores to compare themselves with other stables.

The results highlight the need for independent assessment and feedback with a scientific base to horse owners. This will enable horse owners to make informed decisions with a scientific background that will result in increased horse welfare.

Lay persons message

A developed protocol was used to assess horse welfare and horse owners were questioned regarding how they wanted the results presented. This resulted in the development of a feedback system that will aid horse owners to make informed decisions about horse welfare.
 
  Address  
  Corporate Author Viksten, S. Thesis  
  Publisher Xenophon Publishing Place of Publication Wald Editor ; Krueger, K.  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 978-3-95625-000-2 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Id - Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5901  
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Author Goodwin, D.; McGreevy, P.D.; Heleski, C.; Randle, H.; Waran, N. doi  openurl
  Title (up) Equitation science: The application of science in equitation Type Journal Article
  Year 2008 Publication Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 11 Issue 3 Pages 185-190  
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  Abstract  
  Address School of Natural Sciences, Unitec, New Zealand  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
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  Notes Export Date: 13 November 2008; Source: Scopus Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4656  
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Author Huizinga, H.A.; Boukamp, M.; Smolders, G. url  openurl
  Title (up) Estimated parameters of field performance testing of mares from the Dutch Warmblood riding horse population Type Journal Article
  Year 1990 Publication Livestock Production Science Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 26 Issue 4 Pages 291-299  
  Keywords competition; genetic parameters; horse breeding; mares; performance test  
  Abstract The field performance testing (FPT) of mares of the Dutch Warmblood riding horse population is evaluated. Phenotypic and genetic parameters of scored traits are estimated and the genetic relationship with performance of half-sibs in dressage and jumping competition are estimated. Data from 1984 to 1987 are used, covering scores from 2023 at least 3-year-old mares. Seven subjectively scored traits are considered, walk, trot, canter, riding ability, character, jumping ability and total score. Analysis of data is according to a sire model. Variance and covariance components are estimated by Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) procedures. Estimates of heritability are moderately low for gaits (average 0.19), jumping ability (0.15) and total score (0.17) and extremely low for riding ability (0.03) and character (0.06). Dressage in competition is most correlated with riding ability (0.83) and is moderately correlated with total score (0.41) from FPT of mares. Jumping competition is most correlated with jumping ability (0.48) and not correlated with total score (0.05) from field test of mares. Some possible bias owing to previous knowledge and preselection is discussed. It is concluded that efficiency of present FPT of mares is limited for selection of broodmares for dressage and jumping ability in competition.  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 3964  
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Author Huizinga, H.A.; van der Meij, G.J.W. url  openurl
  Title (up) Estimated parameters of performance in jumping and dressage competition of the Dutch Warmblood horse Type Journal Article
  Year 1989 Publication Livestock Production Science Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 21 Issue 4 Pages 333-345  
  Keywords  
  Abstract The objective of this study is to estimate several genetic parameters in the Dutch Warmblood riding horse population. The traits involved are performances in jumping and dressage competition. The following parameters are estimated: heritabilities for jumping and dressage; phenotypic and genetic correlations between jumping and dressage; and phenotypic and genetic correlations between performances at different ages. These parameters are estimated by restricted maximum likelihood (REML). Data are from 6899 horses with performances in jumping and 10 408 horses with performances in dressage competition. The horses are sired by 205 and 237 stallions for the two traits, respectively. The progeny range in age from 4 to 8 years old. The performance trait is a cumulatively derived score, that reflects the level of performance in competition. A square root transformation of the score is most appropriate to normalize the data. For estimation of phenotypic and genetic parameters the data is split into two data sets according to the age of the sires (offspring sired by older vs. younger stallions). For estimating correlations between performances at 4, 5 and 6 years of age, performances of the offspring out of previous years are linked to the data. The most unbiased estimates of heritability for jumping and dressage are from data derived from the youngest offspring sired by the younger stallions and are 0.20 and 0.10, respectively. Genetic correlation between jumping and dressage ranges from -0.27 to 0.10. The phenotypic correlation between these traits ranges from 0.15 to 0.26. Phenotypic and genetic correlations between performances at 4, 5 and 6 years average 0.95 and 0.75, respectively. These latter results have important implications for genetic evaluation of breeding candidates in the population.  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 3966  
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Author Linklater, W. L.; Cameron, E. Z.; Stafford, K. J.; Minot, E. O. url  openurl
  Title (up) Estimating Kaimanawa feral horse population size and growth Type Conference Article
  Year Publication SCIENCE & RESEARCH INTERNAL REPORT 185 Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords  
  Abstract Animal flight behaviour in response to aircraft could have a profound influence

on the accuracy and precision of aerial estimates of population size but is rarely

investigated. Using independent observers on the ground and in the air we

recorded the presence and behaviour of 17 groups, including 136 individually

marked horses, during a helicopter count in New Zealand’s Kaimanawa

Mountains. We also compared the helicopter count with ground-based

estimates using mark-resight and line-transect methods in areas ranging from

20.5 to 176 km2. Helicopter counts were from 16% smaller to 54% larger than

ground-based estimates. The helicopter induced a flight response in all horse

groups monitored. During flight, horse groups traveled from 0.1 up to 2.75 km

before leaving the ground observer’s view and temporarily changed in size and

composition. A tenth of the horses were not counted and a quarter counted

twice. A further 23 (17%) may have been counted twice but only two of the

three observers’ records concurred. Thus, the helicopter count over-estimated

the marked sub-population by at least 15% and possibly by up to 32%. The net

over-estimate of the marked sub-population corresponded to the 17% and 13%

difference between helicopter counts and ground-based estimates in the central

study area and for the largest area sampled, respectively. Feral horse flight

behaviour should be considered when designing methods for population

monitoring using aircraft. We identify the characteristics of the helicopter

count that motivated horse flight behaviour. We compared our own recent

estimate of population growth from measures of fecundity and mortality (λ =

1.096 with an earlier-published one (λ = 1.182, where r = 0.167) that had been

derived by interpolating between the available history of single counts. Our

model of population growth, standardised aerial counts, and historical estimates

of annual reproduction suggest that the historical sequence of counts since

1979 probably over-estimated growth because count techniques improved and

greater effort was expended in successive counts. We used line-transect, markresight

and dung density sampling methods for population monitoring and

discuss their advantages and limitations over helicopter counts.
 
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 515  
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Author Moeller, B.A.; McCall, C.A.; Silverman, S.J.; McElhenney, W.H. url  doi
openurl 
  Title (up) Estimation of Saliva Production in Crib-Biting and Normal Horses Type Journal Article
  Year Publication Journal of Equine Veterinary Science Abbreviated Journal Journal of Equine Veterinary Science  
  Volume 28 Issue 2 Pages 85-90  
  Keywords  
  Abstract Increasing saliva flow to buffer the stomach has been hypothesized as a basis for crib-biting in horses. Saliva amounts in seven cribbing and seven noncribbing (control) horses were compared either pre- and post-cribbing or at pre- and post-5-minute intervals for controls. A pre-weighed cellulose sponge was used to collect saliva at the exit of the submandibular gland for 30 seconds, then reweighed. Data were analyzed as repeated measures. Mean saliva weight overall was similar between cribbing and control horses (1.2 and 1.5 g, respectively, SE = 0.2). However, mean saliva weight for pre- and post-samples (1.5 and 1.2 g, respectively, SE = 0.06) for all horses was significantly lower (P < .05) in the post-sample, indicating a drying effect of the sponge. Because of a strong tendency (P < .06) for a treatment-by-sampling time interaction, data were analyzed by sampling time and cribbing status. Mean saliva weights in the pre-sample were 0.43 g higher (P < .03) in control than cribbing horses. Control horses showed a 0.38 g decrease (P < .01) in saliva weight between pre- and post-samples, which was not evident in cribbing horses. To determine whether cribbing offset the saliva decrease seen in control horses, nine cribbing horses were sampled as before but prevented from cribbing between samples. A similar reduction (0.39 g, P < .01) in saliva weights between samples with cribbing allowed versus cribbing prevented was seen in these horses as was seen in control horses in the initial study. Because cribbing does produce saliva, gastrointestinal irritation could be a motivating cause for cribbing.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Elsevier 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 doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2008.01.006 Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5835  
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Author Bruns, E. url  openurl
  Title (up) Estimation of the breeding value of stallions from the tournament performance of their offspring Type Journal Article
  Year 1981 Publication Livestock Production Science Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 8 Issue 5 Pages 465-473  
  Keywords  
  Abstract Data from horse-riding competitions recorded in Germany in 1976 and 1977 have been analysed to estimate genetic parameters for performance traits of riding horses measured in dressage, jumping competitions and trials. The performance traits analysed were logarithmic earnings per start, relative place number, and place value. The results are the following. 1. (1) Heritability and repeatability estimates for performance in dressage shows are 0.2 and 0.4 respectively. Corresponding estimates for performance in jumping competitions are 20% less. No genetic differences are found between stallions for performance in trials.2. (2) A selection index for estimating the breeding value of stallions was constructed by using the repeated performances of their offspring in dressage and jumping shows. For this purpose, performance data for at least ten progeny should be available. The correlation between the breeding values estimated from the dressage and jumping performances of the same stallions was approximately zero.3. (3) Reliable progeny-testing requires that the assumptions of mating stallions at random, selecting progeny randomly, and distributing them equally across environmental effects be fulfilled.4. (4) The genetic use of breeding values of stallions estimated from the performance of their progeny is opposed by the prolongation of the generation interval. This can be partly overcome by sampling young stallions and making use of the test results for young progeny only.  
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  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 3968  
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Author Scheibe, K.M.; Schleusner, T.; Berger, A.; Eichhorn, K.; Langbein, J.; Dal Zotto, L.; Streich, W.J. url  doi
openurl 
  Title (up) ETHOSYS (R)--new system for recording and analysis of behaviour of free-ranging domestic animals and wildlife Type Journal Article
  Year 1998 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.  
  Volume 55 Issue 3-4 Pages 195-211  
  Keywords Telemetry; Diurnal patterns; Activity; Rhythms; Feeding and nutrition  
  Abstract A storage telemetry system has been developed to monitor domestic animals and wildlife, and has been tested under variable conditions on sheep, Przewalski horse and mouflon. It can be used for automatic recording of different patterns of behaviour, such as activity and feeding, and is based on advanced analysis of sensor-emitted signals. The system is made up of collars (ETHOREC) with sensors and electronic devices for behaviour recording, a central station (ETHOLINK) and software for data transmission and processing (ETHODAT). All components of the ETHOREC recording device are integrated in the collar. Long-time recording of behaviour through up to four different channels and in numerous animals at one and the same time are necessary elements to facilitate biorhythmic analysis of animals under free-ranging conditions. The results obtained from this telemetry system were compared with visual observations on six sheep and four Przewalski horses. Parallel recordings were taken from four sheep, using a recorder for jaw movements. Locomotor activity usually was rated somewhat higher by observers, whereas feed uptake was rated lower. Higher feed uptake values were measured by means of the jaw movement recorder, although deviations thus measured varied less than those noticed by visual observations. All measured series exhibited significant correlations with control values. The system, consequently, was found to be more suitable for determination of diurnal patterns, change over time and relative comparison between behaviour levels than it actually was for measurement of absolute duration of a given behaviour.  
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  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2237  
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Author Ellard, M.-E.; Crowell-Davis, S.L. url  doi
openurl 
  Title (up) Evaluating equine dominance in draft mares Type Journal Article
  Year 1989 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.  
  Volume 24 Issue 1 Pages 55-75  
  Keywords  
  Abstract The social hierarchy of a herd of 12 draft mares was assessed using agonism in the field, paired-feeding tests and a group-feeding test. Results from the paired-feeding test correlated significantly, but imperfectly, with those from the field. Differential motivation among subjects for the feed and disruption of ambiguous relationships among mares reduced the reliability of the paired-feeding test as a measure of social dominance. Results from the group-feeding test did not correlate significantly with the field hierarchy and only a few mares ever ate from the bucket. Height, weight and age each correlated significantly with rank; a mare's tendency to remain alone did not. Total aggressive scores during the paired-feeding test correlated with rank. However, a high-ranking mare was no more aggressive to each of her subordinates than was a low-ranking mare. Rather, all mares aggressed more against individuals close in rank to themselves and with preferred field associates. In the field, mares associated most with other mares of similar rank.  
  Address  
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  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 662  
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