Effects of Various Housing Systems on the Development of Equine Behavior in Thoroughbred Horse Pakistan

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the impact of various housing systems on the development of equine stereotypies. N=120 x Thoroughbred Pakistan of three different groups (A=40 horses 2years not gelded, B= 40 age 3 years and C= 40 four years gelded) were kept in four distinct types of housing systems, (SHSNI) Single Housing System No Interaction, (SHSLI) Single Housing System Limited Interaction, (DHS) Double Housing System and (GHS) Group Housing. The study was conducted in four phases (Phase-I SHSNI, Phase-II SHSNI, Phase- III DHS and Phase- IVGHS were used) and each phase was comprised of 30 days duration. On every 10th day parameters were recorded, and three readings were recorded in every housing system. A comprehensive set of 12 readings recorded through video recording, personal observation and information provided by horse handlers and randomized complete block design was performed for statistical analysis. Housing systems had significant (p<0.05) impact on the development of stereotypies. The highest incidence of stereotypies 35.83% was found in SHSNI, followed by 29.13% in DHS, 18.31% in GHS and the lowest 16.63% in SHSLI. The maximum number of horses displayed weaving (7.29%), behavior followed by kicking (6.45%), biting (6.03%) and crib-biting (5.83%). The groups (non-gelding and gelding) were found non-significant (p>0.05). The study concludes that SHSLI is more suitable needed to be adopted, system has necessary social interaction, less stereotypies with limited injuries as compared to alternative housing systems.