Exploratory Behaviours of Primitive Horses Based on Konik: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the behaviour of Konik geldings and mares, kept in a stable and in a free-range system, during behavioural tests regarded as a determinant of the exploration urge. A total of 19 Konik horses kept in individual stables and in a free-range system were included in the study. The experiment was conducted in five phases separated by five-day breaks. A one-stage passive human test was performed during the first phase, a three-stage active human test—2nd phase, a three-stage unknown object test—3rd phase, a two-stage unknown surface test—4th phase, and a one-stage test of social isolation—5th phase. Ten attributes were analysed, including the horse sex and the keeping system. The results were also correlated with one another. Konik horses were found to show the urge to explore, although their behavioural responses are individual and stimulus dependent. In many cases, the horse sex and the keeping system influence the exploratory behaviour, although it is manifested by a greater intensity in geldings than in mares, and in free-range horses than in those kept in a stable. The study is regarded as preliminary due to the small number of horses in the study groups.

Influence of Rank Stress on Behavior and Blood Indicators of A Young Horse

“…It was found that the filly most often showed exploratory behavior, it accounted for 54% of the time during the observation period. This form of behavior is innate, manifests itself at different stages of ontogenesis and provides a biologically adequate orientation of the behavior of animals in a situation of novelty (Jastrzębska 2021). A high level of research activity allows young animals to develop and gain personal experience, receiving vital information, thereby ensuring the adaptation of the organism to a dynamic external environment, and ultimately being one of the survival mechanisms of the individual and the species as a whole (Ivanov et al 2013).…”