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Fenner K, Wilson BJ, Ermers C, McGreevy PD. Reported Agonistic Behaviours in Domestic Horses Cluster According to Context. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:629. [PMID: 38396597 PMCID: PMC10886179 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Agonistic behaviours are often directed at other animals for self-defence or to increase distance from valued resources, such as food. Examples include aggression and counter-predator behaviours. Contemporary diets may boost the value of food as a resource and create unanticipated associations with the humans who deliver it. At the same time the domestic horse is asked to carry the weight of riders and perform manoeuvres that, ethologically, are out-of-context and may be associated with instances of pain, confusion, or fear. Agonistic responses can endanger personnel and conspecifics. They are traditionally grouped along with so-called vices as being undesirable and worthy of punishment; a response that can often make horses more dangerous. The current study used data from the validated online Equine Behavioural and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ) to explore the agonistic behaviours (as reported by the owners) of 2734 horses. With a focus on ridden horses, the behaviours of interest in the current study ranged from biting and bite threats and kicking and kick threats to tail swishing as an accompaniment to signs of escalating irritation when horses are approached, prepared for ridden work, ridden, and hosed down (e.g., after work). Analysis of the responses according to the context in which they arise included a dendrographic analysis that identified five clusters of agonistic behaviours among certain groups of horses and a principal component analysis that revealed six components, strongly related to the five clusters. Taken together, these results highlight the prospect that the motivation to show these responses differs with context. The clusters with common characteristics were those observed in the context of: locomotion under saddle; saddling; reactions in a familiar environment, inter-specific threats, and intra-specific threats. These findings highlight the potential roles of fear and pain in such unwelcome responses and challenge the simplistic view that the problems lie with the nature of the horses themselves rather than historic or current management practices. Improved understanding of agonistic responses in horses will reduce the inclination of owners to label horses that show such context-specific responses as being generally aggressive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Fenner
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia;
| | - Bethany Jessica Wilson
- School of Life and Environmental Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Colette Ermers
- School of Environment and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia;
| | - Paul Damien McGreevy
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Carroll SL, Sykes BW, Mills PC. Understanding and treating equine behavioural problems. Vet J 2023; 296-297:105985. [PMID: 37127134 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.105985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Behaviour-related issues are common in horses. Many 'undesirable behaviours' pose important safety concerns for the human handlers / riders / carers, as well as welfare concerns for the horse. Undesirable behaviours can also devalue a horse, or result in the horse being re-homed, relinquished, or euthanased. Undesirable behaviours occur for a range of reasons. These include physiological causes, poor management, and the use of inappropriate or poorly applied handling and training techniques. The potential contribution of each of these aspects must be considered when attempting to reduce or eliminate undesirable behaviours. Effectively modifying the existing behaviour includes investigation and treatment of potential physiological causes, assessing and adjusting existing handling, husbandry and management, and undertaking behaviour modifying training. Unlike in the treatment of dogs and cats, the use of psychotropic agents is uncommon in equine behaviour medicine but the benefits of using these agents in appropriate cases is gaining recognition. This review discusses potential causes for the development and maintenance of undesirable behaviours in horses and highlights the various considerations involved in determining the most appropriate course for reducing or eliminating these behaviours. There is also a brief discussion about the potential role of psychotropic agents as an additional component of an overall behaviour modification plan to reduce or eliminate undesirable behaviours in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon L Carroll
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Benjamin W Sykes
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia; School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Paul C Mills
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
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Carroll SL, Sykes BW, Mills PC. Moving toward Fear-Free Husbandry and Veterinary Care for Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:2907. [PMID: 36359031 PMCID: PMC9653666 DOI: 10.3390/ani12212907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Husbandry and veterinary procedures have the potential to generate fear and stress in animals. In horses, the associated responses can pose a significant safety risk to the human personnel involved in the procedure, as well as to the animal itself. Traditionally, physical restraint, punishment, and/or threat of an aversive, have been the most common strategies used to achieve compliance from the horse. However, from a welfare perspective, this is less than ideal. This approach also has the potential for creating a more dangerous response from the horse in future similar situations. When caring for companion animals, and captive animals within zoological facilities, there has been a steady transition away from this approach, and toward strategies aimed at reducing fear and stress during veterinary visits and when undertaking routine husbandry procedures. This review discusses the current approaches to horse care and training, the strategies being used in other animal sectors, and potential strategies for improving human safety, as well as the horse's experience, during husbandry and veterinary procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon L. Carroll
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
| | - Benjamin W. Sykes
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Paul C. Mills
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
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Wiśniewska A, Janczarek I, Tkaczyk E, Wilk I, Janicka W, Próchniak T, Kaczmarek B, Pokora E, Łuszczyński J. Minimizing the Effects of Social Isolation of Horses by Contact with Animals of a Different Species: The Domestic Goat as an Example. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12172271. [PMID: 36077991 PMCID: PMC9454851 DOI: 10.3390/ani12172271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to perform a comparative analysis of the horses’ heart rate parameters and locomotor activity in a herd or isolation, with or without the company of goats. Twenty horses were tested in a paddock, accompanied (or not) by three goats. The experiment comprised four tests (a control test of a herd of horses without goats, a horse isolation test without goats, a test of a herd of horses with goats and a test of an isolated horse with goats). The horse’s locomotor behavior, and the HR, RR, rMSSD, LF, HF, and LF/HF were recorded. The data analysis included a 15-min rest, procedural and recovery HR/HRV periods, and a 5-min period at the beginning of the test. The duration of the horses standing in the company of goats increased significantly. The rMSSD parameter was the significantly lowest in the test of a herd of horses with goats. The company of goats in a paddock does not eliminate the emotional effects of the phenomenon. However, the locomotor behavior decreases. Goats in a paddock can provide a positive distraction for horses in a herd as a decrease in emotional excitability can be regarded as having a relaxing impact on a different animal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wiśniewska
- Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13 Str, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Iwona Janczarek
- Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13 Str, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Ewelina Tkaczyk
- Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13 Str, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Izabela Wilk
- Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13 Str, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Wiktoria Janicka
- Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13 Str, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Tomasz Próchniak
- Institute of Biological Basis of Animal Production, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13 Str, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Beata Kaczmarek
- Department and Clinic of Animal Internal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13 Str, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Pokora
- Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13 Str, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Jarosław Łuszczyński
- Department of Genetics, Animal Breeding and Ethology, Faculty of Animal Science, University of Agriculture in Cracow, 30-059 Cracow, Poland
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Whishaw IQ, Burke CJ. Memory for surface objects in an arena by the horse (Equus ferus caballus) under saddle: Evidence for dual process theory of spatial representation. Behav Processes 2021; 189:104442. [PMID: 34116138 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2021.104442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Place memory, the ability to remember locations, is a feature of many animal species. This episodic-like memory is displayed in the foraging behavior of animals and has been studied in many different kinds of laboratory spatial tasks. A horse stallion, Equus ferus caballus, will create "dung-heaps or stud-piles" by defecation in the same place suggesting that the behavior is central to spatial behavior but to date there has been little investigation of horse olfactory/spatial behavior. The present study describes investigatory behavior of horses for objects on the surface of a riding arena. Horses under saddle approached objects on the arena surface that included small pieces of straw, fur, and paper and larger objects including clumps of debris and were especially interested in dung droppings left by other horses. Once an object was investigated by sniffing, it was usually not approached again during that outing but could be approached anew on the following day. Dung investigatory behavior and place memory were confirmed in a number of structured tests in which test-retest intervals were varied. The results are discussed in relation to the dual process theory that proposes that spatial representations central to adaptive behavior require both allocentric Cartesian spatial information and egocentric episodic-like information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Q Whishaw
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Canada.
| | - Candace J Burke
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Canada
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Mair TS. Equine medicine special issue. EQUINE VET EDUC 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/eve.13339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. S. Mair
- Equine Vetertinary Education Editorial Office
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