Welfare of Free-Roaming Horses: 70 Years of Experience with Konik Polski Breeding in Poland

Abstract

To prevent abuse and to assure the welfare of domestic horses, attempts to assess welfare in a standardized way have been made. Welfare-assessment tools often refer to the physical and social environments of feral domestic horses as examples of welfare-friendly conditions for horses. However, free-roaming horses are often exposed to conditions or states that may be regarded as welfare threats or abuse. The aim of this review was to present cases of welfare compromises as well as natural ways to restore high standards of welfare to Konik polski horses (Koniks) living in semiferal conditions in a forest sanctuary over the course of 70 years. Welfare problems in Koniks related to feeding, locomotor, social, reproductive, and comfort behavior, as well as health issues concerning hoof trimming and parasitism in Koniks, are discussed. Periodic food scarcity or abundance, stressful events around weaning and gathering, the consequences of fights among stallions, exposure to sire aggression during dispersal, lameness during “self-trimming,” exposure to insect harassment, high levels of parasitism, and specific landscape formations may endanger free-roaming horses. It has to be underlined that despite the excellent adaptability of horses to free-roaming conditions, one should be aware that welfare problems are to be expected in any semiferal population. Here, we present the management system applied for 70 years in free-roaming Konik polski horses that minimizes welfare threats. It allows close follow-up of individual horses, the strict monitoring of health and welfare on a daily basis, and if necessary, instant reactions from caretakers in cases of emergency. Moreover, it addresses the problem of starvation due to overgrazing and thus, the ethical controversy related to the eradication of surplus animals causing environmental damage.

Social Behaviour of Horses in Response to Vocalisations of Predators

“…Hypothetically, this result may explain the lack of wolf depredation of Koniks, the pony-sized horses living in semi-feral groups in forest sanctuaries as observed in Poland [ 56 ] in contrast to cases of ponies and foals of other breeds that are preyed upon in Spain, Slovenia, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Estonia and Croatia [ 6 ]). As young animals are the main target of the attack, the special herd formations and protective activity of the adults are an important strategy for the protection of the young.…”

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

“…Isolation had a smaller impact on free-range horses than on those kept in a stable. This finding is intriguing given the acute herd instinct stressed by Górecka-Bruzda et al [ 28 ], which is apparent mainly in herds similar to natural. Therefore, it can be predicted that such instinct can be manifested in free-range horses, which live in herds with slightly upset social relations.…”

“…In a detailed analysis of the results, the sex factor impact was observed only in two out of the ten attributes under analysis and the horse-keeping system factor—in another two. Most probably, it is the primitive nature of Konik horses that levels out these differences [ 28 ]. The results may have been affected by the fact that the unpredicted responses and relations in a horse herd are still regarded as not fully explained [ 34 ].…”

“…Studying their behaviour is additionally valuable as they have been introduced to various environments to maintain biodiversity and have been used in environmental projects in a few European countries. The breeding program aims to preserve these primitive, robust horses [ 28 ].…”

Genetic Variability and Population Structure of Polish Konik Horse Maternal Lines Based on Microsatellite Markers

“…Polish Konik mares from the reserve Popielno including Lalka (21 progeny; lifespan, 33 years), Niwa (20 progeny; lifespan, 29 years), and Ożyna (24 progeny; age, 25 years) should be mentioned as examples of long-lived and highly fertile horses [ 2 , 8 ]. Polish Konik horses are generally bred under two management conditions: traditional stable housing and maintenance in a natural reservation in semi-feral/free-roaming groups [ 2 , 9 ]. They may be kept in reserves with the aim of maintaining their natural form of behaviour and welfare.…”