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Veterinary world2022; 15(4); 1113-1120; doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.1113-1120

Colombian Creole Horse: Frequency of oral and motor stereotypies.

Abstract: The current stable housing of Colombian Creole Horses severely restricts the animals' locomotion and natural behaviors. In addition, their feed consists of a combination of high-energy concentrates with considerably little forage which potentially leads to locomotor or oral stereotypies. This study aimed to report the frequency of locomotor and oral stereotypies in Colombian Creole Horses in Girardota (Antioquia, Colombia) and associated risk factors. Unassigned: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from 2019 to 2020, in which 102 stabled horses aged 28 months and older participated. A questionnaire was developed to collect information on the horses' daily barn routines. The horses were observed twice a day for 2 h for 3 consecutive days to record information related to stereotypy behaviors. The Fisher's exact test and the Mann-Whitney U test were utilized for data analyses. Associations were considered statistically significant at p<0.05. Unassigned: Among the horses evaluated, 32.35% presented at least one stereotyped behavior. The most common was crib-biting (i.e., cribbing), with 17.65% exhibiting this behavior. Age, weight, gender, type of feeding, visual contact between horses, and natural lighting were all associated with oral stereotypies. Crib-biting was most common in young horses (U=1.36, p≤0.05), wind-sucking was more common in lighter weight animals (U=1.45, p=0.01), and lip-smacking was more common in stallions (χ=9.10, p≤0.01). It is noteworthy that their feeding diet included bran, molasses, and gopher. Horses that did not have visual contact with other horses and those that did not have natural lighting were associated with pica (χ=9.52, p≤0.02; χ=3.72, p≤0.05; and χ=3.72, p≤0.05, respectively). Of locomotor stereotypies, kicking the wall was significant in young animals (U=1.54, p=0.03) and walking in circles in lactating mares (χ=13.20, p≤0.02). Unassigned: Housing conditions in this study were found to have several risk factors affecting horses that exhibit stereotypic behaviors, and all these factors resulted in a higher frequency of stereotypies. Establishing risk factors for the presentation of abnormal behaviors allows for the implementation of better management practices in the production systems of the Creole Colombian Horse and will help improve their overall welfare.
Copyright: © Mejía, et al.
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Publication Date: 2022-04-27 PubMed ID: 35698501PubMed Central: PMC9178590DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.1113-1120Google 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.

The research conducts a study on Colombian Creole Horses, evaluating their stable housing conditions which have been found to lead to oral and physical stereotypical behaviors due to the restricted lifestyle and improper feeding regimen. The study identifies specific risk factors tied to these behaviors and proposes the implementation of better management practices for the welfare of these horses.

Study Overview and Methodology

  • The article outlines a detailed study conducted from 2019-2020 to evaluate the prevalence of locomotor and oral stereotypies in Colombian Creole Horses.
  • The researchers studied 102 stabled horses that were 28 months and above.
  • Through a questionnaire, the research gathered data about the horses’ daily barn routines.
  • Each horse was observed for 2 hours twice daily for 3 consecutive days to record instances of stereotypy behavior.
  • Fisher’s exact test and Mann-Whitney U test were employed in the data analysis process, with significance determined by a value of p<0.05.

Findings of the Study

  • The study found that 32.35% of the observed horses exhibited at least one stereotyped behavior.
  • The most common behavior was crib-biting, observed in 17.65% of the horses. Other oral stereotypies included wind-sucking and lip-smacking, while locomotor stereotypies included kicking the wall and walking in circles.
  • Factors such as age, weight, gender, type of feeding, visual contact between horses, and natural lighting were found to contribute to the occurrence of these behaviors.
  • Young horses, lighter weight animals, and stallions showed a high occurrence of oral stereotypies. Horses in visual isolation or those deprived of natural light exhibited pica, a kind of eating disorder.
  • Younger horses indulged in wall-kicking, while lactating mares showed a tendency for walking in circles.

Housing Conditions and Risk Factors

  • The stable conditions, including isolation, lack of natural light, and feeding regimes, were identified as risk factors leading to stereotypic behaviors.
  • The horses’ diet mainly composed of high-energy concentrates like bran, molasses, and gopher, drastically lacked forage, fueling the prevalence of oral stereotypies.

Conclusion and Recommendations

  • This study underlines the need for implementing better management practices considering the identified risk factors.
  • Improvements in stable conditions, feeding practices, and sociability can significantly enhance the welfare of Colombian Creole Horses by reducing the frequency of stereotypies.

Cite This Article

APA
Mejía JAB, Jaramillo JAN, Corrales NU. (2022). Colombian Creole Horse: Frequency of oral and motor stereotypies. Vet World, 15(4), 1113-1120. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.1113-1120

Publication

Veterinary world
ISSN: 0972-8988
NlmUniqueID: 101504872
Country: India
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 4
Pages: 1113-1120

Researcher Affiliations

Mejía, Jhonny Alberto Buitrago
  • Department of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lasallian University Corporation (Unilasallista), GIVET Research Group, Caldas, Antioquia, Colombia.
Jaramillo, Jairo Alejandro Navarro
  • Department of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Remington University Corporation (Uniremington), Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia.
Corrales, Natalia Uribe
  • Department of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lasallian University Corporation (Unilasallista), GIVET Research Group, Caldas, Antioquia, Colombia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Cunha RZ, Felisardo LL, Salamanca G, Marchioni GG, Neto OI, Chiocchetti R. The use of cannabidiol as a novel treatment for oral stereotypic behaviour (crib-biting) in a horse. Vet Anim Sci 2023 Mar;19:100289.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vas.2023.100289pubmed: 36824298google scholar: lookup
  2. Cardona-García M, Jiménez-Escobar C, Ferrer MS, Maldonado-Estrada JG. Follicular Dynamics and Pregnancy Rates during Foal Heat in Colombian Paso Fino Mares Bred under Permanent Grazing. Animals (Basel) 2024 Feb 29;14(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14050760pubmed: 38473144google scholar: lookup
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