Behavior and physiologic responses of mares to short-term isolation

Strand, Sarah C.; Tiefenbacher, Stefan; Haskell, Melissa W.; Hosmer, Trina; McDonnell, Sue M.; Freeman, D.A.

doi:10.1016/s0168-1591(02)00106-5

Cited by 31 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Water and hay intake rates were also significantly lower during transport than pre-transport. Nontransport studies using isolated sheep and horses have observed a reduction in time spent eating when visual contact is prevented (Sweeting et al, 1985;Houpt and Houpt, 1992;Abdel-Rahman, 2000;Strand et al, 2002). In this experiment time spent eating was significantly reduced when travelling alone than with the mirror or companion, supporting the findings of Sweeting et al (1985) that horses eat when other horses eat and eat more if they can see another horse eating, and potentially indicating that the mirror may have been interpreted by the horses as a companion.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

“…Behavioural signs of agitation in response to isolation have included erratic movements, pawing, turning round (attempting to join other horses) and vocalisation (Alexander et al, 1988;Jezierski and Gorecka, 1999;2000). In addition, isolation has been shown to reduce the time that horses spend eating (Sweeting et al, 1985;Houpt and Houpt, 1992;Strand et al, 2002). Physiological signs of isolation stress such as hyperventilation and sweating (Alexander et al, 1988) and significant increases in heart rate (Jezierski and Gorecka, 1999;2000) have also been recorded.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The use of a mirror reduces isolation stress in horses being transported by trailer

Kay

Hall

2009

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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Horse trailers are a common form of transportation for horses and ponies and often require the animal to travel alone or with a single companion. The current study investigated the effect of transporting horses alone, in company or with an acrylic safety mirror (measuring 81 x 61.5 cm) that provided surrogate companionship. The behavioural and physiological responses of twelve mature horses during a 30-minute journey by trailer under the three treatments were compared.Behaviour (vocalisation, eating, head-tossing, pawing, and head turning) was recorded. In order to assess circulatory changes that occur as part of the response to transport, heart rate (HR), rectal (T r ) and ear-pinna (T p ) temperatures were recorded. When travelling with a live companion significantly less time was spent vocalising (p<0.001), head turning (p<0.001), head-tossing (p<0.01) and pawing (p<0.01); eating behaviour increased (p<0.05). Physiological responses (increases in HR and T r and decreases in T p ) were also significantly reduced when travelling with a live companion (p<0.01). Travelling with the mirror did not significantly affect physiological responses compared with travelling alone, but the rise in T r and fall in T p was reduced (p=0.052 and p=0.051 respectively) and can be considered a trend. When travelling with a mirror significantly less time was spent turning the head (p<0.01), vocalising (p<0.05) and head tossing (p<0.05); eating behaviour increased (p<0.05). The only significant difference between travelling with a live 1 companion and a mirror was that the time spent turning the head round was less with a live companion (p<0.05). The provision of surrogate companionship in the form of a mirror was found to be preferable to travelling alone, but where possible a live companion is recommended. Isolation during transportation was found to suppress feeding behaviour. Although peripheral blood flow (T p ) has been used to assess transport stress in other species it has not previously been used in the horse. Further evaluation of this non-invasive measure is now required.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of a mirror reduces isolation stress in horses being transported by trailer

Kay

Hall

2009

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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“…The lying bout was timed from when the flank of the animal met the ground and ended when all four legs returned perpendicular to the ground to support the animal's weight (adapted from Ledgerwood et al, 2010). A rolling event began when the animal's carpi touched the ground, continued if the animal rolled onto its back and/or onto its other side, and ended once the animal rose and all four legs were perpendicular to the ground (adapted from Strand et al, 2002). Moving forward at any gait faster than a walk Hipshot Body positioned upright, supported by both front hooves and one hind hoof, with the second hind limb in flexion under the body and positioned in such a way that only the front edge of the hoof is touching the ground (the "resting" limb).…”

Section: Equipmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validation of triaxial accelerometers to measure the lying behaviour of adult domestic horses

Dubois

Zakrajsek

Haley

et al. 2015

Animal

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Examining the characteristics of an animal's lying behaviour, such as frequency and duration of lying bouts, has become increasingly relevant for animal welfare research. Triaxial accelerometers have the advantage of being able to continuously monitor an animal's standing and lying behaviour without relying on live observations or video recordings. Multiple models of accelerometers have been validated for use in monitoring dairy cattle; however, no units have been validated for use in equines. This study tested Onset Pendant G data loggers attached to the hind limb of each of two mature Standardbred horses for a period of 5 days. Data loggers were set to record their position every 20 s. Horses were monitored via live observations during the day and by video recordings during the night to compare activity against accelerometer data. All lying events occurred overnight (three to five lying bouts per horse per night). Data collected from the loggers was converted and edited using a macro program to calculate the number of bouts and the length of time each animal spent lying down by hour and by day. A paired t-test showed no significant difference between the video observations and the output from the data loggers (P = 0.301). The data loggers did not distinguish standing hipshot from standing square. Predictability, sensitivity, and specificity were all >99%. This study has validated the use of Onset Pendant G data loggers to determine the frequency and duration of standing and lying bouts in adult horses when set to sample and register readings at 20 s intervals.

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“…Horses are social creatures and social isolation can therefore generate an anxiety state [50,51]. As such, social isolation may contribute to the noxiousness of the interaction.…”

Section: Optimising Welfare In a Teaching Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Challenges of Using Horses for Practical Teaching Purposes in Veterinary Programmes

Gronqvist

Rogers

Gee

et al. 2016

Animals

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Simple SummaryVeterinary students often lack previous experience in handling horses and other large animals. This article discusses the challenges of using horses for veterinary teaching purposes and the potential consequences to student and equine welfare. The article proposes a conceptual model to optimise equine welfare, and subsequently student safety, during practical equine handling classes.AbstractStudents enrolled in veterinary degrees often come from an urban background with little previous experience in handling horses and other large animals. Many veterinary degree programmes place importance on the teaching of appropriate equine handling skills, yet within the literature it is commonly reported that time allocated for practical classes often suffers due to time constraint pressure from other elements of the curriculum. The effect of this pressure on animal handling teaching time is reflected in the self-reported low level of animal handling competency, particularly equine, in students with limited prior experience with horses. This is a concern as a naive student is potentially at higher risk of injury to themselves when interacting with horses. Additionally, a naive student with limited understanding of equine behaviour may, through inconsistent or improper handling, increase the anxiety and compromise the welfare of these horses. There is a lack of literature investigating the welfare of horses in university teaching facilities, appropriate handling procedures, and student safety. This article focuses on the importance for students to be able to interpret equine behaviour and the potential consequences of poor handling skills to equine and student welfare. Lastly, the authors suggest a conceptual model to optimise equine welfare, and subsequently student safety, during practical equine handling classes.

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Behavior and physiologic responses of mares to short-term isolation

Cited by 31 publications

References 20 publications

The use of a mirror reduces isolation stress in horses being transported by trailer

The use of a mirror reduces isolation stress in horses being transported by trailer

Validation of triaxial accelerometers to measure the lying behaviour of adult domestic horses

The Challenges of Using Horses for Practical Teaching Purposes in Veterinary Programmes

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