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DREVEMO S et al,. (1980). Equine locomotion: The analysis of linear and temporal stride characteristics of trotting standardbreds. Equine Vet J, 12, 60–65.
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Francis-Smith, K., & Wood-Gush, D. G. M. (1977). Copropgagia as seen in thoroughbred foals. Equine Vet J, 9(3), 155–157.
Abstract: Four Thoroughbred foals were seen to quickly eat part of the faeces deposited by their own dams on some 40 per cent of the mare-defaecating occasions observed between the second and fifth week after birth. They did not do it before or after this period. This behaviour was thought to be a feeding pattern which formed a normal part of the foal's development.
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KYDD J et al,. (). Transfer of exotic equine embryos to domestic horses and donkeys. Equine Vet J, Suppl 3, 80–83.
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Ödberg Fo,. (1976). A study on eliminative and grazing behaviour – the use of the field by captive horses. Equine Vet J, 8, 147–149.
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Houpt, K. A. (2006). Why horse behaviour is important to the equine clinician. Equine Vet J, 38(5), 386–387.
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Virga, V., & Houpt, K. A. (2001). Prevalence of placentophagia in horses. Equine Vet J, 33(2), 208–210.
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Houpt, K. A., Eggleston, A., Kunkle, K., & Houpt, T. R. (2000). Effect of water restriction on equine behaviour and physiology. Equine Vet J, 32(4), 341–344.
Abstract: Six pregnant mares were used to determine what level of water restriction causes physiological and/or behavioural changes indicative of stress. Nonlegume hay was fed ad libitum. During the first week of restriction, 5 l water/100 kg bwt was available, during the second week 4 l/100 kg bwt and, during the third week, 3 l/100 kg bwt. Ad libitum water intake was 6.9 l/100 kg bwt; at 3 l/100 kg bwt water intake was 42% of this. Daily hay intake fell significantly with increasing water restriction from 12.9 +/- 0.75 kg to 8.3 +/- 0.54 kg; bodyweight fell significantly for a total loss of 48.5 +/- 8.3 kg in 3 weeks. Daily blood samples were analysed; osmolality rose significantly with increasing water restriction from 282 +/- 0.7 mosmols/kg to 293.3 +/- 0.8 mosmols/kg bwt, but plasma protein and PCV did not change significantly. Cortisol concentrations fell from 8.1 ng/ml to 6.4 ng/ml over the 3 week period. Aldosterone fell from 211.3 +/- 74.2 pg/ml to 92.5 +/- 27.5 pg/ml at the end of the first week. The behaviour of 4 of the 6 mares was recorded 24 h/day for the duration of the study. The only significant difference was in time spent eating, which decreased with increasing water restriction from 46 +/- 3% to 30 +/- 3%. It is concluded that water restriction to 4 l/100 kg bwt dehydrates pregnant mares and may diminish their welfare, but is not life- or pregnancy-threatening.
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Houpt, K. A. (1995). New perspectives on equine stereotypic behaviour (Vol. 27).
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Shaw, E. B., Houpt, K. A., & Holmes, D. F. (1988). Body temperature and behaviour of mares during the last two weeks of pregnancy. Equine Vet J, 20(3), 199–202.
Abstract: Average daily core body temperature and behavioural patterns of pregnant mares were studied, in search of definitive signs of parturition within 24 h of the event. Nineteen pony mares were sampled twice daily for core body temperature. A significant temperature drop, averaging 0.1 degrees C (0.2 degrees F) was observed during the day prior to parturition. Between 18.00 h and 06.00 h, during the two weeks before parturition, Thoroughbred and Standardbred mares (n = 52) spent an average 66.8 per cent of their time standing, 27.0 per cent eating, 4.9 per cent lying in sternal recumbency, 1.0 per cent lying in lateral recumbency, and 0.3 per cent walking. On the night before parturition, mares spent significantly less time lying in sternal recumbency than on previous nights and on the night of parturition all behaviour patterns except eating were significantly different from the nights of the two weeks before parturition. There was an increase in walking (5.3 per cent), lying in sternal recumbency (8 per cent) and lying in lateral recumbency (5.3 per cent) whereas standing (53.3 per cent) was decreased. In 58 observed pregnancies, 54 mares (97 per cent) foaled in a recumbent position and 50 mares (86 per cent) foaled between 18.00 h and 06.00 h.
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Crowell-Davis, S. L., & Houpt, K. A. (1985). Coprophagy by foals: effect of age and possible functions. Equine Vet J, 17(1), 17–19.
Abstract: In colts and fillies observed from birth to 24 weeks old, coprophagy occurred from Weeks 1 to 19. Its frequency was greatest during the first two months. Coprophagy was rarely observed in mares and stallions. Foals usually ate the faeces of their mother but were observed to eat their own and those of a stallion and another unrelated mare. Urination by the foal occurred before, during or after 26 per cent of the coprophagy incidents. It is hypothesised that foals may consume faeces in response to a maternal pheromone which signals the presence of deoxycholic acid or other acids which the foal may be deficient in and which it may require for gut immuno-competence myelination of the nervous system. Such a pheromone may also serve to accelerate growth and sexual maturation. Coprophagy may also provide nutrients and introduce normal bacterial flora to the gut.
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