Colombian Creole Horse: Frequency of oral and motor stereotypies

Abstract

Background and Aim: The current stable housing of Colombian Creole Horses severely restricts the animals' locomotion and natural behaviors. In addition, their feed consists of a combination of high-energy concentrates with considerably little forage which potentially leads to locomotor or oral stereotypies. This study aimed to report the frequency of locomotor and oral stereotypies in Colombian Creole Horses in Girardota (Antioquia, Colombia) and associated risk factors. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from 2019 to 2020, in which 102 stabled horses aged 28 months and older participated. A questionnaire was developed to collect information on the horses' daily barn routines. The horses were observed twice a day for 2 h for 3 consecutive days to record information related to stereotypy behaviors. The Fisher's exact test and the Mann–Whitney U test were utilized for data analyses. Associations were considered statistically significant at p<0.05. Results: Among the horses evaluated, 32.35% presented at least one stereotyped behavior. The most common was crib-biting (i.e., cribbing), with 17.65% exhibiting this behavior. Age, weight, gender, type of feeding, visual contact between horses, and natural lighting were all associated with oral stereotypies. Crib-biting was most common in young horses (U=1.36, p≤0.05), wind-sucking was more common in lighter weight animals (U=1.45, p=0.01), and lip-smacking was more common in stallions (χ2=9.10, p≤0.01). It is noteworthy that their feeding diet included bran, molasses, and gopher. Horses that did not have visual contact with other horses and those that did not have natural lighting were associated with pica (χ2=9.52, p≤0.02; χ2=3.72, p≤0.05; and χ2=3.72, p≤0.05, respectively). Of locomotor stereotypies, kicking the wall was significant in young animals (U=1.54, p=0.03) and walking in circles in lactating mares (χ2=13.20, p≤0.02). Conclusion: Housing conditions in this study were found to have several risk factors affecting horses that exhibit stereotypic behaviors, and all these factors resulted in a higher frequency of stereotypies. Establishing risk factors for the presentation of abnormal behaviors allows for the implementation of better management practices in the production systems of the Creole Colombian Horse and will help improve their overall welfare.

Follicular Dynamics and Pregnancy Rates during Foal Heat in Colombian Paso Fino Mares Bred under Permanent Grazing

“…Accordingly, authors reported changes in physiological variables during estrus related to increased sympathetic adrenergic activity with behavioral variations towards conspecifics and humans. In contrast, physiological variables decreased at the end of estrus, indicating a decrease in sympathetic activity [ 25 ]. In addition, in a study in which the authors evaluated metabolites related to stress and inflammation in the serum of mares during the perinatal period, the authors concluded that under normal perinatal conditions where mares suffer no disturbances in health during pregnancy, foaling, and lactation, there could be improved and reproductive performance [ 43 ].…”

“…These mares showed increased embryo mortality between 15 and 45 days of gestation than mares having no uterine fluid [ 23 ]. In Colombia, insemination in the foal heat is routinely practiced in most equine breeding systems, in mares bred in stables [ 24 ], or under permanent grazing systems [ 25 ]. It has been accepted that the gestation rates of mares bred in the foal heat are low compared to the second postpartum heat [ 18 ].…”

The Use of Cannabidiol as a Novel Treatment for Oral Stereotypic Behaviour (Crib-Biting) in a Horse

“…The most common behavioural disorders in horses are crib-biting and wind-sucking, weaving and box walking; in Europe and Canada, the prevalence of crib-biting and wind-sucking is 2.4% and 8.4%, respectively (Wickens and Heleski, 2010). Horse owners and veterinarians are often concerned about the stereotypic activities resulting in a reduction in performance, decreased monetary value of the animal, and the development of secondary pathologies, such as gastric ulcers and colic syndrome (Buitrago et al, 2022).…”