Equine

The enriching effect of non-commercial items in stabled horses

The effect of the provision of simple objects to stabled horses on their behaviour was investigated to determine whether these objects can affect horses' behaviour in a positive way and thus enrich their environment. A positive influence can for example...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Bulens, A., Beirendonck, S., Van Thielen, J. et al. 2013. The enriching effect of non-commercial items in stabled horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 143(1), 46-51.

Is the left forelimb preference indicative of a stressful situation in horses?

Evidence for behavioural and brain lateralisation is now widespread among the animal kingdom; lateralisation of limb use (pawedness) occurs in several mammals including both feral and domestic horses. We investigated limb preferences in 14 Quarter Horse during different motor tasks...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Siniscalchi, M., Padalino, B., Lusito, R. et al. 2014. Is the left forelimb preference indicative of a stressful situation in horses? Behavioral Processes 107, 61-67.

The relationship of dominance, reproductive state and stress in female horses (Equus caballus)

Maintaining a dominant position in a hierarchy requires energetically expensive aggressive displays and physical exertion. Lab based winner–loser studies, often conducted with individuals from non-social species, have shown that subordinates have higher stress hormone levels than dominant individuals. However, in...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: York, C. A., Schulte, B. A. 2014. The relationship of dominance, reproductive state and stress in female horses (Equus caballus). Behavioral Processes 107, 15-21.