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Author Streit,, S.; Zeitler-Feicht, M.H.; Dempfle, L. pdf  openurl
  Title Automatic feeding systems versus feeding stalls for horses kept in groups: visiting frequency, stress situations and risk of injury Type Conference Article
  Year 2008 Publication IESM 2008 Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords  
  Abstract When keeping horses in run-out sheds, feeding stalls are usually recommended for individual feeding; which allows equine typical simultaneous eating. However, automatic feeding devices for hay and concentrates are being increasingly used, and these do not allow simultaneous eating. This research aims to compare visiting frequency, stress situations, and the risk of injury, in the area of automatic feeding systems with those at feeding stalls. The studies were carried out at 10 stables with feeding stalls and at 11 with automatic feeding systems for hay and concentrates. These stables were otherwise similar regarding the keeping of the horses and the management of the facilities. Each group consisted of 8 to 21 horses, with 260 horses taking part in total. Every group was observed for 6 sessions, each of 4 hours. These 6 sessions together made 24 hours, a complete day.

Horses in stables with feeding stalls visited the feeding area (waiting area, the station, exit area) 45.5 ± 27.3 times on average in 24 hours, and in stables with automatic feeders for hay and concentrates, 93.1 ± 53.5 times. This difference was significant. Threatening behaviour, without risk of injury or with risk of injury, occurred significantly more frequently in stables with automatic feeders (9.6 ± 12.9 times and 4.2 ± 5.5 times respectively per 24 hours and horse) than in stables with feeding stalls (6.0 ± 10.4 times and 1.5 ± 3.3 times respectively per 24 hours and horse). The management of the stable, however, proved to have its most important influence on the behaviour of the horses.

Displacement activities were observed in stables with feeding stalls 0.3 ± 1.0 times per horse and 24 hours and in stables with automatic feeders for hay and concentrate 12.9 ± 23.3 times. Situations that could cause either stress or injuries to the horses occurred in stables with feeding stalls within 24 hours per horse only 3.7 ± 13.1 and 1.3 ± 4.8 times on average respectively. Such situations were to be seen in stables with automatic feeder 17.0 ± 33.4 and 8.6 ± 15.3 times respectively per horse and 24 hours – clearly more often.

We may therefore conclude that the more often the feeding area is visited, the more frequently threatening gestures without and with risk of injury occur. The same goes for the number of situations that may result in stress or injuries. Therefore to sum up it can be said that feeding in feedings stalls leads to less risk of stress and injuries compared with feeding by computer controlled systems. On the other hand, computer controlled systems have the advantage of stimulating the horses to move, which is very important for their health. While assessing this study it should be taken into account that there were very big individual differences between the horses. The result of the statistical evaluation was that the management of the stable has a decisive influence on the observed features. Therefore both feeding systems can be recommended, especially as the number of conflicts in the feeding area in all stables was relatively low and no injuries were observed in connection with the feeding.
 
  Address , Lehrstuhl für Ökologischen Landbau, AG Ethologie, Tierhaltung und Tierschutz, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan der Technischen Universität München  
  Corporate Author (down) Streit, S. Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference IESM 2008  
  Notes Talk 15 min IESM 2008 Approved yes  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4479  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Stanley, C.; Shultz, S. pdf  openurl
  Title Mummy’s Boys: Sex Differential Maternal Offspring Relationships in Semi-feral Horses 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 dispersal, Equus ferus caballus, social, maternal investment  
  Abstract In polygynous species with high reproductive skew in males, mothers often show differential investment between sons and daughters; however consistent sex differential investment has not been found by previous studies in horses. We investigated sex differences in mother-offspring relationships in nutritionally independent sub-adult semi-feral Carneddau Welsh mountain ponies Equus ferus caballus. Mothers and their sub-adult sons had consistently closer relationships than mothers and daughters. Stronger affiliative bonds between mothers and sons were quantified by their maintenance of closer proximity, higher rates of affiliative interactions and more frequent suckling bouts. These measures of affiliation were temporally associated with higher aggression levels directed towards sub-adults by other band members, particularly stallions. We suggest that aggression may serve as the proximate mechanism driving male dispersal in feral horses and that the stronger mother-son bond signals an attempt to delay their dispersal, highlighting conflict within the band concerning dispersal timing. Since males become increasingly central within the band over time, with mature stallions requiring excellent social skills in order to both acquire and keep a band of mares, we propose that delaying colts' dispersal allows for further development of these skills in a relatively safe environment. This additional investment is expected to maximise their reproductive success. This study illustrates how social network theory can be used to quantify individuals' social experiences, contributing to a greater understanding of the evolution of group living. It also gives us further insight into the mechanisms underlying dispersal in wild and semi-wild horse populations and how conflict often arises when individual needs differ.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author (down) Stanley, C. 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 978-3-9808134-26 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5530  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Spasskaya, N.N. pdf  openurl
  Title Results of investigations of an island population of the feral horse (Rostov Region, Russia) 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 feral horse, island population, social population structure, demography  
  Abstract A feral horse population inhabiting the Vodnyi Isl, Manych-Ghudilo Lake, on the territory of Rostov Region, S Russia, has been established in 1950s according to questionnaire data (Paklina, Klimov, 1990). It is a sole permanent grouping of feral horse known to exist in European Russia (Spasskaya, Spasskyi, 2007; Spasskaya, 2008). Range of this group is part of Federal Reserve “Rostovsky” established in 1995, and its monitoring has being been conducted since 2006. The principal aim of monitoring includes gathering data on demographic, spatial, and ethological structure of the island horse population, along with investigation of its phenotypic and ethological patterns. Analysis of previously published (Paklina, Klimov, 1990) and recently obtained data on the color patterns of the island horse indicate that they have become isolated supposedly about 18–20 years ago. Some trends in variation of several phenotypic traits indicate slight rising of inbreeding level in this population, including decrease in the horse withers height, changes in body proportions, increase of heterogeneity in body color patterns (size and number of head and leg spots), and increase of frequency of dental malformations, especially of false polydonty of P1 (Spasskaya et al., 2010). Principal demographic parameters of this population are similar in general to those known for other feral horse studied by now. However, several peculiar features of this population were revealed: its age structure appeared to be of steadily fading type judging by high proportion of mature individuals (64–72 %); high mortality rate of individuals of the first year of life (16–25 %); predominance of males among newborns with increase of population size. Ethological structure of the population included standard harem bands and bachelor groups, with few solitary animals (usually old or sick stallion). The most of individuals (58.2–84.3 %) were the part of harem bands, which appeared to be the most stable groupings. The harems were small in their numbers with predominatingly 3–8 individuals. The bachelor groups were inconstant in composition, their portion in population being not high (7.7–15.4 % of the total number). A lot of “mixed” groupings of various composition were recorded in the population during its high number phase: harem bands with several mature stallions; associations consisting of several harem bands; youth groupings consisting of approximately coeval stallions and mares. These “mixed” groupings appeared to be rather stable, with their total number reaching up to 25.8 % of the population. They however used to disappear with population number decrease. The Rostov population is characterized by absence of conspicuous home range of social groupings (Spasskaya, Shcherbakova, 2007; Spasskaya, 2009), so the latter form a united herd with minimal intergroup distances. This phenomenon is probably not related to population density or to the island size, but is rather caused by some other factors to be revealed.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author (down) Spasskaya, N.N. 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 978-3-9808134-26 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5526  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Sigurjonsdottir, H. pdf  openurl
  Title How does group stability and composition affect interactions in horse groups? 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  
  Abstract Results from studies on the social behaviour of the Icelandic horse kept in different types of groups will be presented. Most groups were studied for more than 75 hours. The groups vary in composition and in stability. Some groups include stallions (6 groups) while others breeding mares and foals (1), geldings, mares, sub-adults and foals (3), geldings, sub-adults and mares (2), geldings and mares (4), one-sex 1year olds (3) and sub-adults (1). In some of the groups the residency of individual horses was similar (stable groups) while in others the composition changed frequently or unfamiliar horses were all put together at the same time. The results show that both negative and positive interactions are more frequent in unstable groups. Also, interesting differences emerged when different group types were compared. The results are important for management and will be discussed in that context. KW -  
  Address  
  Corporate Author (down) Sigurjonsdottir, H. 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 978-3-9808134-26 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5535  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Granquist,S.M.; Sigurjónsdóttir, H; Thórhallsdóttir, A.G. pdf  openurl
  Title Social structure and interactions within groups of horses containing a stallion Type Conference Article
  Year 2008 Publication IESM 2008 Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords Social interactions,, Stallions, Hierarchy, Icelandic horses  
  Abstract Earlier research indicates that stallions might either prevent social interactions between mares in their

herds directly or indirectly by their presence (Feist and McCullough, 1976; Sigurjonsdottir et al.,

2003) The impact of stallions on the social interactions between harem members was studied in 6

groups of Icelandic horses in 2004, 2006 and 2007 for altogether 525 hours. Four of the groups were

permanently living together under semi-feral conditions, while two were temporary breeding groups. In

addition, temporary and permanent groups were compared and the effect of the stability of the group

on the social behaviour of horses was investigated .

The results show that stallions seldom intervene directly in social interactions between harem

members. However, the hierarchies were less rigid and fewer friendship bonds were found in the

groups compared to what has been found in groups without stallions in Iceland. These results give

some support to our prediction that the stallion does indirectly suppress social interactions of herd

members.

The stability of the group was found to affect the aggression rate, since a higher aggression rate was

found in the temporary groups compared to the permanent groups. The number of preferred

allogrooming partners of the horses was also affected to some extent, as a significantly lower number

of allogrooming partners was found in the most unstable group compared to all the other groups. The

results have significance for further research in the field of social structure of mammals, and may also

be applied in the management of horses and other domestic animals.
 
  Address  
  Corporate Author (down) Sigurjónsdóttir, H Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference IESM 2008  
  Notes Talk 15 min IESM 2008 Fullpaper Approved yes  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4487  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Shultz, S. pdf  openurl
  Title Are equid brains social? Exploring the evolution of equid social structure and social intelligence 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  
  Abstract The living equids display a variety of different forms of social organisation; plains (Equus quagga) and mountain zebra (Equus zebra) associate in small, closed harems, whereas the asses and Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) are found in looser, more ephemeral associations. Feral domestic horses appear to be somewhat intermediate: although stallions generally maintain harems, there is some movement of individuals between groups. This talk will use several statistical approached to explore evolutionary explanations for these differences. Firstly, we will explore the relationship between brain architecture and social organisation both among the equids and across all Perissodactyls. Equids have larger relative neocortices than other Perissodactyls; within the equids, species typically found in more stable groups have larger neocortices than equids in more unstable ephemeral groups. The strong relationship between group stability and brain size and architecture mirrors that found in other mammals, including primates. Thus, living in stable social groups consistently appears to impose cognitive demands across species. In order to understand the historical trajectory resulting in the relatively large, social brains found in some species, we then reconstruct the evolutionary pathway of social living in the equids. Finally, we discuss how we can use network theory to measure social structure and how these differences may impose different cognitive demands on individuals.  
  Address social brain hypothesis, Bayesian modelling, social networks, brain size, social evolution  
  Corporate Author (down) Shultz, 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 978-3-9808134-26 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5557  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Schmidt, A.; Möstl, E.; Neuhauser, S.; Aurich, J.; Müller, J.; Aurich, C. pdf  openurl
  Title Changes in heart rate and cortisol release during initial training of three-year-old warmblood sport horse stallions Type Conference Article
  Year 2008 Publication IESM 2008 Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords  
  Abstract The first weeks of training in young sport horses have been suggested to represent a stressful period and training practises for horses have been questioned recently. So far, only limited data on the stress response of young horses to the initial training are available. Heart rate (HR) provides information on fitness of the horse but is also an indicator of stress or pain. Determination of cortisol metabolites in faeces is a non-invasive technique to determine a prolonged stress response. In our study, three-year-old warmblood sport horse stallions (n=8) were followed through a standardised 10-week classical training programme from lunging to first mounting of a rider and progressing to moderate work. Feed, housing and management were similar for all horses. HR was recorded with a mobile recording System (f810i, Polar, Kempele, Finland) fixed to a girth around the thorax of the horse and was monitored twice weekly from 30 min before to 30 min after training, i.e. including the training period. In addition, cortisol concentrations were determined in faecal samples collected three times daily. Overall basal HR before daily training was 39±2 (SEM) beats/min and mean values did not change significantly over the 10-week study period. Average HR during initial lunging (week 1) was 119±14 beats min and decreased to 95±5 beats/min in week 2. Due to individual variations this decrease did not reach statistical significance. Neither first mounting of a rider (89±10 beats/min) nor an increasing workload (e.g. week 8: 111±4 beats/min) were associated with prolonged increases in mean HR, but transient increases were recorded and the response to mounting of the rider differed markedly between stallions. After daily training, HR decreased rapidly but was slightly, although significantly (p<0.05, Friedman-test) higher than pre-work values (46±2 beats/min). Cortisol metabolite concentrations in faeces tended to decrease during the period of lunging, were not increased when the horses were first mounted by a rider but rose slightly with an increasing work load during the last 4 weeks of the 10-week training period. In conclusion, based on HR and faecal cortisol metabolite concentrations, the initial training of sport horse stallions in the classical German training system is not associated with major stress for the horse. The increase in HR during training is due to physical exercise itself and not associated with specific situations of the training programme.

Supported by a fellowship from Stiftung Forschung für das Pferd to AS
 
  Address Graf Lehndorff Institute, Brandenburg State Stud, 16845 Neustadt (Dosse), Germany; University of Veterinary Science, 1210 Vienna, Austria  
  Corporate Author (down) Schmidt, A. Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference IESM 2008  
  Notes Talk 15 min IESM 2008 Approved yes  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4499  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Croneya, C.C. doi  openurl
  Title Group size and cognitive processes Type Journal Article
  Year 2007 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.  
  Volume 103 Issue 3-4 Pages 15-228  
  Keywords Group size; Social complexity; Social learning; Cognitive processes  
  Abstract Animal group sizes may exert important effects on various cognitive mechanisms. Group

size is believed to exert pressures on fundamental brain structures that correlate with the

increased social demands placed on animals living in relatively large, complex and dynamic

social organizations. There is strong experimental evidence connecting social complexity,

social learning and development of other cognitive abilities in a broad range of wild and

domesticated animal species. In particular, group size seems to have significant effects on

animals? abilities to derive concrete and abstract relationships. Here, we review the literature

pertaining to cognitive processes and behaviours of various animal species relative to group

size, with emphasis on social learning. It is suggested that understanding the relationship

between group size and cognition in animals may yield practical animal management

benefits, such as housing and conservation strategies, and may also have implications for

improved animal welfare.
 
  Address  
  Corporate Author (down) Ruth C. Newberryb Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 277  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Russell, M.A.; Aldridge, B.E. pdf  openurl
  Title Solving Current Domestic Horse Nutrition Challenges 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 nutrition, clinical diseases, digestion, feeding, management  
  Abstract Solving horse nutrition challenges require contributions from Psychology, Biology, Agriculture, and Veterinary Medicine because these are biological challenges of an anthropological nature. The domesticated horse has shifted from an animal of war, transportation, and farmwork, to a companion enjoyed for sport, leisure and recreation. The first realization and responsibility must lie in the fact that it is the owners and managers which are the source of many of the horses’ challenges. Nutritional challenges include: defining requirements and absorption of nutrients, improving feed efficiencies for performance, improving feeding management and eating behaviors, and preventing or treating clinical problems. These challenges can be addressed through science, horse management, and education. Many of today’s challenges in horse nutrition can be related to the equine genome and genetics. Those that can be addressed with nutritional consequences include Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy, Equine Metabolic Syndrome, Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis, Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency, Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis, and Development Orthopedic Disorders. It is the scientific understanding of cellular processes in relation to nutrients which address the symptoms associated with these diseases. Consequently, feeding management can be changed to actually treat the disease. The most recent advances in equine nutrition implement the use of molecular and cellular based techniques to understand how nutrients are needed during times of stress, feed withdrawal and to maintain gut health. For example, the absorptive capacity and transporter gene expression and localization, are now being quantified. We are also now assessing the impact of the loss of reproductive endocrines on calcium and phosphorus homeostasis in the horse. Additionally, bioluminescent pathogenic bacteria have been utilized to view attachment rates in the gastrointestinal tract of the horse. These are merely examples of the approaches of science to these nutritional challenges. Science is of little use unless it is incorporated into improved management of horses. Every type of horse requires different management and good husbandry. In our country, 70+% of the horses are kept in small herds, on limited acreage, and used for recreation and sport. Since we have taken the horse out of its natural environment and subjected it to these roles, we now seek to determine ways to feed the horse in our environments; i.e. obesity, inconsistent exercise, confinement, surgery, competition, diseases. Private horse feed agribusinesses have aggressively positioned excellent products with claims to improve health, reproduction, performance, and even horse happiness. Owners and managers seek unbiased science upon which they ultimately make their own decisions. General challenge categories seem to be feeding geriatric horses, active performance horses, and idle horses with secondary metabolic problems. Thus, feeding recommendations include the determination of specific horse nutrient requirements, maximization of available forages, providing other nutrients, and exercise to manage horses more as horses. Private and public companies and Extension systems exist to provide online and other sources of information. As more and more people own horses as a hobby and for recreation, they share responsibility to inform themselves on how to best feed and care for their horses.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author (down) Russell, M.A. 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 978-3-9808134-26 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5523  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Rubenstein, D. pdf  openurl
  Title Wild Equid Movements: Impacts of Habitat Quality, Predation Pressure and Leadership 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  
  Abstract Animals spend much of their lives on the move searching for food, shelter and mates. As long-legged, large bodied species, equids are well suited for traveling long distances. Understanding where free-ranging equids go, why they choose particular locations, some near and some far, and what impact such movements have on patterns of sociality, demography and human livelihoods are only now coming into focus. This talk will explore how bottom-up factors, such as the abundance and distribution of key resources, and top-down factors, such as the type and location of predators, interact to shape overall movement patterns of equids, how leadership roles develop and what outcomes such movements are likely to have on human activities.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author (down) Rubenstein, D. 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 978-3-9808134-26 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5556  
Permanent link to this record
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