Positive Reinforcement-Based Training for Self-Loading of Meat Horses Reduces Loading Time and Stress-Related Behavior

Abstract

The present work aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a self-loading training using positive reinforcement on stress-related behaviors shown by meat horses during loading procedures into a truck. Thirty-two meat horses (M = 18; F = 14; 6 month-old) were included in the study. All horses had limited interactions with the farmer and were not used to be restrained nor lead by halter. Horses were divided in two groups: Control Group (C; N = 14) and Training Group (T; N = 18). T horses were trained to self-load: in order to teach the horses to enter into the truck, a targeting training technique throughout a shaping process was applied. Training sessions were performed three times a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., for 6 weeks; training was then repeated once a week to maintain the memory until the transport toward a slaughterhouse. The loading phase was video-recorded and loading time was directly recorded using a stopwatch. All horses were transported to the same slaughterhouse in 14 different days using the same truck. Behavior was subsequently analyzed with a focal animal continuous recording method. Loading time was shorter in T horses (mean ± SD = 44.44 ± 47.58 s) than in C horses (mean ± SD = 463.09 ± 918.19 s) (T-test; p = 0.019). T horses showed more forward locomotion toward the truck than C horses (T-test; p = 0.029). Our preliminary findings suggest that self-loading training may be useful to mitigate loading-related stress in meat horses, minimally socialized with humans.

Equine Transport-Related Problem Behaviors and Injuries: A Survey of Italian Horse Industry Members

“…In previous research, the percentage of respondents with horses with TRPBs was higher, between 55.6% [ 10 ] and 75% [ 8 ]. TRPBs may be reduced, at least in part, by applying appropriate training methods, such as habituation and self-loading as procedures [ 9 , 18 , 20 , 27 , 43 , 44 ]. In contrast, training methods involving the use of negative reinforcement or positive punishment were considered the most hazardous [ 20 , 31 ].…”

“…The use of the whip can also increase the risk of TRPBs during transportation because a horse loaded with a whip is more scared and anxious. Consequently, the use of loading equipment such as a whip should not be recommended, and the application of the least traumatizing methods to train horses, such as habituation and self-encouraging [ 27 , 44 , 45 ], should be encouraged.…”

Habituation to Transport Helps Reducing Stress-Related Behavior in Donkeys During Loading

“…When transported, several potential stressors can impact animal welfare, including interaction with humans, loading, unloading, and penning in a new, unfamiliar environment, and confinement with and without motion, vibrations, changes in temperature and humidity, inadequate ventilation, and often, deprivation of food, and water (11). In particular, loading is considered to be one of the most stressful components of transport for most animals, including equines (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17), and it is reported to be the phase with the higher number of transport-related injuries particularly in horses which show transport related behavioral problems or have been trained with inappropriate training methods (18,19). Several stressors are involved in pre-loading and loading procedures: separation from a familiar environment and social group (6), interactions with humans (14,20), walking on the ramp (21), entering the trailer (22).…”

“…In order to evaluate the efficacy of transport training methods, transport-related stress should be evaluated using both behavioral and physiological indicators. In horses, stress-related behaviors during loading include pawing, kicking out, bolting, head-shaking, and avoidance reactions, such as rearing, pulling away sideways, or backwards (13,16,17,26,27). During transport, reported stress-related behaviors are vocalizing, head tossing, pawing, scrambling, head-turning, kicking at the vehicle, biting and kicking at other horses, and reduced feeding/drinking (27)(28)(29)(30)(31).…”

Horse Transport to Three South American Horse Slaughterhouses: A Descriptive Study

“…However, from those studies it is clear that a number of transport-related factors influence horse welfare. Journey distance and time [20,21], loading density [7,15,22,23], handling [7,24,25], new environments [24], potentially re-grouping or mixing with unfamiliar animals [24], fasting and deprivation of water [24], the myriad of trailer designs [7,23], driving behaviour [7], road type and quality [7,22,24], traffic conditions [24], suspension systems and building materials of the trailers [15,23], environmental conditions in the trailer [7,22], and weather conditions [15,23,26] all affect horse welfare.…”