Distances Walked by Long Established and Newcomer Horses in an Open Stable System in Northern Germany.

The study conducts an examination of the distance travelled daily by 51 horses in a communal housing facility in Northern Germany, over a seven and a half month period. It utilized GPS technology to accurately track movements. The findings showed that, on average, the horses travelled 8.43km per day. Various factors such as age and observation day did have significant effects on the horses’ daily walked distances, however, breed or sex did not.

Methodology

• The research conducted focused on 51 horses kept in a “HIT Active Stable” in Northern Germany. Myriad factors such as the time of year and individual variations amongst the horses were taken into account.
• Global Positioning System (GPS) technology was used to accurately observe the horses’ behaviors and daily meanderings over the course of seven and a half months.

Results and Significant Findings

• On average, the horses in the study were found to have traversed a distance of 8.43 kilometers per day.
• Several factors had significant impacts on the daily walked distances. Of note are the observation day, which was linked to seasonal changes and the extent of space available to each horse, and the age of the horses, with both recording a significance level of P < .01.
• Other factors such as the horse’s breed and sex did not show significant impacts, the latter presumably because only mares and geldings were included in the study. Stallions, which may exhibit greater locomotion due their sexual behavior, were not considered.

Findings Specific to New Horses

• New horses, in their initial days at the stable, were found to have journeyed significantly more than other horses, specifically during the first nine days compared to the remaining 24 days of the first month. This was presumably the result of a greater need to explore the environment and engage in rank-fighting behavior.

Implications of the Study

• While the average distance travelled by the horses in a communal housing system meets the expectations for a “species-appropriate movement possibility”, it’s noted that the environmental constraints during winter could limit their movement, especially if the pasture becomes inaccessible. This reveals the need for improved winter management strategies to ensure the welfare of horses in communal settings.