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Equine veterinary journal2019; 51(6); 840-845; doi: 10.1111/evj.13130

Accelerometer activity tracking in horses and the effect of pasture management on time budget.

Abstract: Accelerometry is an accepted means of quantifying human physical activity. Quantitative physical activity tracking could be beneficial for studies into equine health and disease prevention, for example in relation to obesity management. Objective: Validate accelerometer use in grazing horses, determine between-day repeatability, and assess the effects of pasture size on time budget (i.e. duration in each activity category). Methods: Proof of concept. Methods: Accelerometers (ActiGraph) were positioned at the poll. Horses underwent 5 min of observed activity in three categories: standing, grazing and ambulating. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, used on ten second data epochs, calculated cut points between the activities. A 20-day study was then undertaken on 6 horses at pasture. Time in each category (per day) was deduced; a Mann Whitney U test was performed to compare standard vs. small paddock and day vs. night turn out. Results: Cut-off values with the optimum sensitivity (94.7-97.7%) and specificity (94.7-96.8%) were found to be 702.7 counts for ambulating. Repeatability was analysed descriptively: Median (IQR) of the between-day difference in minutes standing, grazing and ambulating were 46.9 (21.3-87.9), 77.3 (40.2-124.5) and 15.6 (6.8-40.2) respectively. Median times standing and ambulating were significantly different between standard and small paddocks: standing: 8.7 vs. 10.3 h (P<0.001); ambulating: 55.7 vs. 39.6 min (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in the median time spent grazing. There were significant differences between day and night: standing: 32.95% vs. 50.97% (P = 0.001), grazing: 60.81% vs. 46.77% (P<0.001) and ambulating: 4.57% vs. 2.40% (P<0.001). Conclusions: Small sample size and lack of cross-validation of cut-off points on independent, 'unseen' data. Conclusions: Accelerometry can differentiate standing, grazing and ambulating in horses. Our proof-of-concept study demonstrates modifying pasture size influences activity budgets; opening avenues into studying obesity management.
© 2019 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2019-06-17 PubMed ID: 31009100DOI: 10.1111/evj.13130Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study validates the use of accelerometers in tracking physical activity in horses and explores how the size of their pasture affects their physical activity distribution. The research also hints at potential applications for managing horse obesity through modulation of physical activity.

Methodology

  • The researchers employed accelerometers, specifically ActiGraph, and stationed these at the poll—a horse’s highest point at the back of their heads. This allowed for accurate physical activity measurement as horses underwent different activities.
  • Each horse was observed for 5 minutes in three distinct activity states: standing, grazing, and ambulating (moving).
  • Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was used on ten-second data sets to define the thresholds between each type of activity.
  • Over a period of 20 days, the study observed the daily activity of six horses in their pasture to determine how much time they spent in each activity category. Researchers utilized a Mann Whitney U test to compare variations between a standard and small paddock, as well as day and night turnout.

Results

  • The researchers determined cut-off values for the accelerometer readings for each type of activity standing: 702.7 counts. These thresholds had optimal sensitivity (94.7%-97.7%) and specificity (94.7%-96.8%).
  • The results showed median times for standing and ambulating were significantly different between standard and small paddocks. Horses in smaller paddocks were found to be standing for 8.7 hours, compared to those in standard paddocks standing around 10.3 hours. Meanwhile, they were ambulating around 55.7 minutes in standard paddocks, compared to 39.6 minutes in small paddocks.
  • No significant difference was detected in time horses spent grazing in both paddock types.
  • The distribution of activities showed significant differences between daytime and nighttime. Horses stood 32.95% of the time during the day versus 50.97% at night and spent 60.81% of daytime grazing compared to 46.77% at night. The time spent on ambulation was 4.57% during the day versus 2.40% at night.

Conclusions

  • The study highlighted that accelerometer usage can differentiate standing, grazing, and ambulating in horses, but cautioned that a small sample size and lack of validation on independent data confine the scope of the conclusions.
  • The research suggests that modifications in pasture size significantly influence the physical activity of horses, which could lend itself to new strategies to manage horse obesity.

Cite This Article

APA
Maisonpierre IN, Sutton MA, Harris P, Menzies-Gow N, Weller R, Pfau T. (2019). Accelerometer activity tracking in horses and the effect of pasture management on time budget. Equine Vet J, 51(6), 840-845. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13130

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 51
Issue: 6
Pages: 840-845

Researcher Affiliations

Maisonpierre, I N
  • Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK.
Sutton, M A
  • Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK.
Harris, P
  • Mars Horsecare UK Ltd, Equine Studies Group, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, Bury St Edmunds, UK.
Menzies-Gow, N
  • Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK.
Weller, R
  • Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK.
Pfau, T
  • Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Accelerometry / veterinary
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Horses / physiology
  • Male
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / instrumentation
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / veterinary
  • Motor Activity / physiology

Grant Funding

  • SPrj023 / Horserace Betting Levy Board

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