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Home / Equine Research Bank / Arch Anim Breed / An analysis of the annual mobility of Polish Konik horses de...
Archives animal breeding2022; 65(3); 239-247; doi: 10.5194/aab-65-239-2022

An analysis of the annual mobility of Polish Konik horses depending on habitat, season, and time of the day.

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to analyse the mobility of Polish Konik horses in their natural environment. The study was conducted on a herd of 15 Polish Konik horses in 2018. The Global Positioning System (GPS) transmitter was used to track the horses' movements. Two habitats (forest and meadows), four seasons (autumn, winter, spring, and summer), and four times of the day (morning, midday, evening, and night) were distinguished. Season, habitat, and time of the day as well as the interaction among them significantly ( p < 0.0001 ) affected the mobility of Polish Konik horses. The use of the GPS device enabled tracking of horses' mobility also at night, which made the results more complete compared with other similar studies.
Copyright: © 2022 Ryszard Pikuła et al.
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Publication Date: 2022-07-12 PubMed ID: 35935751PubMed Central: PMC9350879DOI: 10.5194/aab-65-239-2022Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 research examines the movement patterns of Polish Konik horses throughout different habitats, seasons, and times of day, utilizing a GPS tracking device for accuracy.

Objective of the Study

  • The main aim of this research was to investigate the movement patterns and mobility of Polish Konik horses in their natural environment. This was achieved by tracking a herd of 15 Polish Konik horses throughout different seasons, habitats, and times of the day.

Methodology

  • The study was conducted in 2018 using a Global Positioning System (GPS) transmitter attached to the horses to meticulously track their movements.
  • The researchers selected two different types of habitats – forest and meadows – to envisage the impact of varied environments on the horses’ mobility.
  • The study considered the four different seasons i.e., autumn, winter, spring, and summer, to understand how changing weather conditions affect the horses’ movement.
  • The study also factored in different times of the day, presumably morning, midday, evening, and night, to gain insights into whether the horses’ mobility differed significantly during various parts of the day.

Findings and Conclusions

  • The results highlighted that the mobility of the Polish Konik horses was significantly impacted by the season, habitat, and the time of day. It was also noted that the interplay between these factors had a significant effect on the horses’ movements.
  • The GPS tracking device proved to be extremely beneficial, allowing the tracking of horses’ movements even during the night time. This made the results of this study more comprehensive in comparison with related research, offering a more detailed insight into the mobility pattern of Polish Konik horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Pikuła R, Zaborski D, Grzesiak W, Smugała M. (2022). An analysis of the annual mobility of Polish Konik horses depending on habitat, season, and time of the day. Arch Anim Breed, 65(3), 239-247. https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-65-239-2022

Publication

Archives animal breeding
ISSN: 2363-9822
NlmUniqueID: 101701238
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 65
Issue: 3
Pages: 239-247

Researcher Affiliations

Pikuła, Ryszard
  • Laboratory of Horse Breeding and Animal Assisted Therapy, West Pomeranian University of Technology, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland.
Zaborski, Daniel
  • Department of Ruminants Science, West Pomeranian University of Technology, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland.
Grzesiak, Wilhelm
  • Department of Ruminants Science, West Pomeranian University of Technology, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland.
Smugała, Mirosław
  • Laboratory of Horse Breeding and Animal Assisted Therapy, West Pomeranian University of Technology, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The contact author has declared that none of the authors has any competing interests.

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