The 24-hour time budget of Przewalski horses

Boyd, Lee E.; Carbonaro, Denise A.; Houpt, Katherine A.

doi:10.1016/0168-1591(88)90098-6

Cited by 99 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Interestingly, the daily amount of activity in the photophase during the summer solstice, time of the year with the longest photoperiods (E15 h), is lower than during vernal and autumn equinoxes. This result is probably due to the fact that in summer, horses shifted their search for food to the night to avoid disturbance by flying insects and high temperatures (Kaseda, 1983;Mayes and Duncan, 1986;Boyd et al, 1998). Furthermore, in summer, to avoid direct solar radiation, horses often stand in the shade during the warmest parts of the day (Crowell- Davis, 1994).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal variations in daily rhythms of activity in athletic horses

Bertolucci

Giannetto

Fazio

et al. 2008

Animal

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Circadian rhythms reflect extensive programming of biological activity that meets and exploits the challenges and opportunities offered by the periodic nature of the environment. In the present investigation, we recorded the total activity of athletic horses kept at four different times of the year (vernal equinox, summer solstice, autumn equinox and winter solstice), to evaluate the presence of seasonal variations of daily activity rhythms. Athletic Thoroughbred horses were kept in individual boxes with paddock. Digitally integrated measure of total activity of each mare was continuously recorded by actigraphy-based data loggers. Horse total activities were not evenly distributed over the day, but they were mainly diurnal during the year. Daily activity rhythms showed clear seasonal variations, with the highest daily amount of activity during the vernal equinox and the lowest during the winter solstice. Interestingly, the amount of activity during either photophase or scotophase changed significantly throughout the year. Circadian analysis of horse activities showed that the acrophase, the estimated time at which the peak of the rhythm occurs, did not change during the year, it always occurred in the middle of the photoperiod. Analysing the time structure of long-term and continuously measured activity and feeding could be a useful method to critically evaluate athletic horse management systems in which spontaneous locomotor activity and feeding are severely limited. Circadian rhythms are present in several elements of sensory motor and psychomotor functions and these would be taken into consideration to plan the training schedules and competitions in athletic horses.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal variations in daily rhythms of activity in athletic horses

Bertolucci

Giannetto

Fazio

et al. 2008

Animal

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“…The postures they assume in rising from lying are correspondingly different and the form of their lying behaviour is also different (Fraser and Broom, 1997). Boyd et al (1988) suggested that sternal recumbency was more common than lateral recumbency in horses to allow a faster response to threats. Perhaps the responsiveness of lying behaviour to housing treatment differs also.…”

Section: Lying Behaviourmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of housing conditions on activity and lying behaviour of horses

Chaplin

Gretgrix

2010

Animal

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Housing conditions for horses impose various levels of confinement, which may compromise welfare. Lying behaviour and activity can be used as welfare indicators for domestic animals and rebound behaviour suggests a build-up of motivation resulting from deprivation. The objective of this study was to determine if activity and lying behaviour of horses are affected by housing conditions and to investigate the occurrence of rebound behaviour after release from confinement. Eight horses were subjected, in pairs, to each of four experimental treatments; paddock (P), fully stabled (FS), partly stabled (PS) and yard (Y). Each horse received 6 days acclimatisation prior to the 24 h recording period. Time spent in lying and activity were electronically recorded using a tilt switch and motion sensor connected to a data logger worn on the horse's left foreleg. Time spent active during the first 5 min of release from stable to paddock in the PS treatment (days 1 and 5) and at the same time of day in the P treatment was used as a measure of rebound behaviour. Effect of housing conditions on total time spent active was highly significant (FS 5 123 s, PS 5 158 s, Y 5 377 s, P 5 779 s, P , 0.001). Housing conditions did not significantly affect total time spent lying (P 5 0.646). Horses were significantly more active, compared with baseline paddock behaviour, on release from stabling on both days 1 (P 5 0.006) and 5 (P 5 0.025) of PS treatment. These results suggest that activity patterns of horses, but not lying behaviour, are affected by the housing conditions tested and that rebound activity occurs in horses after a period of confinement.

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“…This behaviour was the second main activity (32%, table 3) in which stallions were involved after foraging, although it tended to follow an opposite trend (figure 2). Percentages reported by Boyd et al (1988) were slightly higher for rest recumbent (5.3%) and lower for rest standing (16%). This could be due to the fact that their study was done over a 24 hour period.…”

Section: Displacementmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…This could be due to the fact that their study was done over a 24 hour period. Deep sleep occurs in a recumbent position only (McDonnell 2003) which is lower during day time (Boyd et al 1988). According to Boyd et al (1988) a certain amount of recumbency is critical for well being; horses depend on vigilance and speed, and are especially vulnerable while in recumbent rest.…”

Section: Displacementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Deep sleep occurs in a recumbent position only (McDonnell 2003) which is lower during day time (Boyd et al 1988). According to Boyd et al (1988) a certain amount of recumbency is critical for well being; horses depend on vigilance and speed, and are especially vulnerable while in recumbent rest. Most predators of horses are crepuscular or diurnal, so minimizing recumbency during day time avoids leaving them in a vulnerable position (Boyd 1998).…”

Section: Displacementmentioning

confidence: 99%

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