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Australian veterinary journal2025; 103(12); 894-901; doi: 10.1111/avj.70014

Characterizing grazing and terrain use patterns of Hispano-Breton mares in the Spanish Pyrenees using GPS devices and remote sensing data.

Abstract: Geotechnologies, such as Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and remote sensing, are essential for documenting topographic features and analyzing land use. Among them, the GPS (Global Position System)-based sensors have proven highly effective in monitoring livestock, providing high-resolution data on movement patterns. This study tracked two Hispano-Breton mares in the Spanish Pyrenees during summer 2023 using GPS collars. A°C (LiDAR) dataset provided the digital elevation model (DEM), while Sentinel-2 imagery assessed the grazing conditions. All data were integrated within a Geographic Information System (GIS). The study period ranged from 1 July to 28 August 2023. Until 7 August, the mares grazed in a valley area, while from that date on they traveled to high mountain pastures. The mares and their foals traveled a mean distance of 472.99 km, averaging 7.95 ± 2.58 km per day with a mean elevation gain of 561 m daily. Distance traveled increased with elevation gain, likely to mitigate steep slopes. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis revealed that lower valley pastures maintained stable vegetation throughout the season, whereas high mountain pastures became significantly drier in August. These findings suggest that equine grazing patterns are shaped by forage availability, and possibly also by traditional herding practices. Although this study focuses on Hispano-Breton mares in the Spanish Pyrenees, the results provide insights applicable to horses managed in extensive grazing systems worldwide, including wild and feral populations in arid and semi-arid regions such as the Australian outback. Notably, the movement patterns observed in this study more closely resemble those of Australian domestic horses confined to large paddocks than those of feral horses, despite our mares being part of free-range grazing systems. This study highlights the joint value of GPS tracking and remote sensing in understanding equine behavior in mountainous environments, offering insights for sustainable husbandry practices in high-altitude regions.
© 2025 The Author(s). Australian Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Veterinary Association.
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Publication Date: 2025-09-04 PubMed ID: 40908504PubMed Central: PMC12674981DOI: 10.1111/avj.70014Google 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.

Overview

  • This study tracked the movement and grazing patterns of Hispano-Breton mares in the Spanish Pyrenees using GPS collars combined with remote sensing data to understand their terrain use, grazing behavior, and the environmental conditions affecting these patterns.

Research Context and Objectives

  • The research aimed to characterize grazing and terrain use patterns of horses, focusing on Hispano-Breton mares in a mountainous environment.
  • The study combined geotechnologies such as Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), specifically GPS collars, with remote sensing to gather detailed information on topography and vegetation conditions.
  • Goals included understanding how these mares move through different grazing areas and how factors like elevation and vegetation quality influence their behavior.

Methods and Data Collection

  • Two Hispano-Breton mares were monitored during the 2023 summer season (1 July to 28 August) using GPS collars to capture high-resolution movement data.
  • A LiDAR dataset was used to generate a Digital Elevation Model (DEM), providing precise topographic information such as elevation gains and terrain slope.
  • Sentinel-2 satellite imagery was analyzed to assess vegetation conditions using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), which indicates the greenness and health of pastures over time.
  • All datasets were integrated and analyzed within a Geographic Information System (GIS) framework, allowing spatial correlation of horse movements with landscape features and vegetation quality.

Key Findings on Movement and Terrain Use

  • During the first part of the study (until August 7), mares grazed in valley areas characterized by stable vegetation.
  • After August 7, the mares moved to high mountain pastures where vegetation significantly dried out during August.
  • Over the monitoring period, the mares and their foals traveled an average total distance of 472.99 km, with a mean daily travel distance around 7.95 km (± 2.58 km).
  • The mean daily elevation gain was 561 meters, indicating substantial vertical movement and use of mountainous terrain.
  • A positive correlation was found between distance traveled and elevation gain, suggesting that the mares traveled further distances to avoid steep slopes and potentially optimize grazing efficiency.

Vegetation and Forage Availability Insights

  • NDVI analysis revealed that lower valley pastures maintained relatively stable vegetation quality throughout the summer.
  • Higher altitude pastures became significantly drier and less green by August, likely influencing the mares’ shift in grazing areas.
  • This suggests that forage availability and its seasonal variability play a crucial role in shaping the grazing behavior and movement patterns of these horses.

Behavioral and Ecological Implications

  • The horses’ grazing strategies appear influenced not only by forage distribution but also possibly by traditional herding practices that regulate pasture use.
  • The movement patterns observed resemble those of Australian domestic horses in large paddocks rather than feral horses, indicating that even free-range horses under some management experience similar spatial constraints and behavioral cues as confined domestic groups.
  • This comparison provides valuable insights for understanding the behavior of horses in other extensive grazing systems worldwide, including in arid and semi-arid environments.

Contributions and Applications

  • The study demonstrates the combined utility of GPS tracking and remote sensing in monitoring animal behavior and habitat use in complex mountainous landscapes.
  • Insights from this research can inform sustainable horse husbandry practices in high-altitude regions, optimizing grazing management to balance animal welfare and pasture conservation.
  • Findings are relevant for managing free-ranging and feral horse populations globally, considering environmental constraints and forage dynamics.

Summary

  • This investigation provides detailed characterization of equine movement and grazing in the Spanish Pyrenees, linking topography, vegetation conditions, and animal behavior using advanced geotechnologies.
  • It highlights how horses adjust their grazing locations and travel distances in response to environmental changes, offering valuable knowledge for ecological management and animal husbandry in mountainous and extensive grazing systems worldwide.

Cite This Article

APA
Plaza J, Sánchez N, Abecia JA, Nieto J, Canto F, Pérez-García ME, Palacios C. (2025). Characterizing grazing and terrain use patterns of Hispano-Breton mares in the Spanish Pyrenees using GPS devices and remote sensing data. Aust Vet J, 103(12), 894-901. https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.70014

Publication

Australian veterinary journal
ISSN: 1751-0813
NlmUniqueID: 0370616
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 103
Issue: 12
Pages: 894-901

Researcher Affiliations

Plaza, J
  • Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Sánchez, N
  • Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Abecia, J A
  • Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragón (IUCA), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
Nieto, J
  • Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Canto, F
  • Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragón (IUCA), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
Pérez-García, M E
  • Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Palacios, C
  • Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Horses / physiology
  • Female
  • Remote Sensing Technology / veterinary
  • Spain
  • Seasons
  • Animal Husbandry / methods
  • Herbivory

Grant Funding

  • LEO24-1-13708-ING-ING-119 / Fundación BBVA

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest or sources of funding for the work presented here.

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