Equine

Young horses’ reactions to humans in relation to handling and social environment

Forty Danish warmblood colts in two replicates were used to investigate the effect of housing and handling in the rearing period on the reactions to humans. .. Half of the horses from each housing group were handled three times per...

Year Published: 2003Animal Type: Equine

Citation: Sondergaard, E., Halekohb, U. 2003. Young horses' reactions to humans in relation to handling and social environment . Applied Animal Behaviour Science 84, 265-280.

Behavioural and physiological responses to an acute stressor in crib-biting and control horses

Power spectral analysis of the HRV revealed significant differences between crib-biters and controls at rest: crib-biters had a lower vagal tone (high frequency component, HF) and a higher sympathetic tone (low frequency component, LF) than controls. ..The results suggest that...

Year Published: 2003Animal Type: Equine

Citation: Bachmann, I., Bernasconi, P., Herrmann, R. et al. 2003. Behavioural and physiological responses to an acute stressor in crib-biting and control horses . Applied Animal Behaviour Science 82, 297-311.

The importance of social opportunities in the life of horses

A significantly higher proportion of the stables, which were free of stable vices were designed in such a way that the horses could groom over bars/walls between stalls.

Year Published: 2004Animal Type: Equine

Citation: Sigurjensdottir, H. 2004. The importance of social opportunities in the life of horses. Animal Welfare 13(S), 255 (Abstract).

Foraging enrichment for stabled horses: Practicality and effects on behaviour

Multiple versus single forage promoted more foraging activities.

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Thorne, J. B., Goodwin, D., Kennedy, M. J. et al. 2004. Foraging enrichment for stabled horses: Practicality and effects on behaviour. Animal Welfare 13(S), 256 (Abstract).

The short-term effects of increasing meal frequency on stereotypic behaviour of stabled horses

In this study, we investigated the effect of increasing the number of meals of concentrate (whilst maintaining the same daily intake) on the behaviour of stabled horses with particular reference to stereotypic activities. The study was carried out on a...

Year Published: 2005Animal Type: Equine

Citation: Cooper, J. J., Mcall, N., Johnson, S. et al. 2005. The short-term effects of increasing meal frequency on stereotypic behaviour of stabled horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 90, 351-364.

The role of the image of a conspecific in the regulation of stereotypic head movements in the horse

Weaving was significantly less when the horses were provided with the image of a horse's face (mean percentage of observations +/- S.E.M.; 5.56 +/- 1.57), compared to both the pixilated (14.85 +/- 3.06) and white (20.52 +/- 4.12) images. Nodding...

Year Published: 2005Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Mills, D. S., Riezebos, M. 2005. The role of the image of a conspecific in the regulation of stereotypic head movements in the horse . Applied Animal Behaviour Science 91, 155-165.

Foraging enrichment for individually housed horses: Practicality and effects on behaviour

The results indicate that the potentially beneficial behavioural effects of short-term multiple forage provision do persist when horses are managed on a MF [multiple forage] diet [long-chop and short-chop forages] for a 7-day period. They suggest that a MF diet...

Year Published: 2005Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Thorne, J. B., Goodwin, D., Kennedy, M. J. et al. 2005. Foraging enrichment for individually housed horses: Practicality and effects on behaviour. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 94, 149-164.

A critical review of fear tests used on cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry and horses

Fear is arguably the most commonly investigated emotion in domestic animals. In the current review we attempt to establish the level of repeatability and validity found for fear tests used on cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, poultry and horses. We...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Bird, Cattle, Chicken, Equine, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Forkman, B., Boissy, A., Meunier-Sala?n, M. C. et al. 2007. A critical review of fear tests used on cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry and horses. Physiology and Behavior 92, 340-374.

Don’t fence me in: Managing psychological well being for elite performance horses

Using equine stereotypies as a welfare indicator, this researcher proposes that the psychological well being of today's performance horse is compromised. Furthermore, the article illustrates how minimal management changes can enhance horses's well being while still remaining compatible with the...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Equine

Citation: Henderson, A. J. Z. 2007. Don't fence me in: Managing psychological well being for elite performance horses. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 10(4), 309-329.

Horse whisperings

Horses and humans have always had a special relationship. Now, from California to Florida, treatment centers are offering equine-assisted therapy to help people with everything from drug addiction to cancer recovery.

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Equine

Citation: Krueger, A., Hey, B., Reynes, A. 2007. Horse whisperings. Natural Solutions Magazine.