Effects of different forms of exercise on post inhibitory rebound and unwanted behaviour in stabled horses.
Abstract: It is unknown if different locomotor activities are equally effective at meeting the stabled horse's need for exercise and if they attenuate unwanted behaviour. Objective: Alternative forms of exercise influence the intensity of locomotor activities during a period of turn-out (the so-called rebound effect) and the occurrence of unwanted or undesirable activities during standard handling situations. Methods: Twenty-four horses kept in stables were randomly assigned to one of 4 exercise regimes (walker, treadmill, turn-out and riding) for 4 consecutive days. Because these forms of exercise provide additional environmental stimulation, beyond that provided by exercise, each horse served as its own control in 4 corresponding (no exercise) control treatments presented in a balanced order. Unwanted behaviour was tested by taking horses to weighing scales and loading and unloading them onto a 4-horse float by an experienced handler and the rebound effect was tested by releasing them into a large arena for a period of 15 min at the end of the exercise and control treatments. Results: Locomotor activities made up a large part of behaviour in the large arena following control treatments and all exercise regimes were sufficient to reduce the intensity of walking (P < 0.05), trotting (P < 0.01) and cantering (P < 0.001) on release into a large arena. Exercise regime reduced the number of bucks (P < 0.01) and rolling (P < 0.05) during rebound tests suggesting that turn-out was having a stronger effect than the other 3 exercise regimes. Exercise regimes significantly reduced the amount of unwanted behaviour and the number of commands given by the handler during weighing (P < 0.05) but had no effect on these behaviours during loading onto a float. Conclusions: Providing stabled horses with one hour/day of exercise on a walker, treadmill, turn-out or by being ridden are all effective at allowing expression of locomotor activities in stabled horses. Conclusions: Providing stabled horses with regular exercise is likely to provide positive effects on horse welfare, training ability and handler safety.
Publication Date: 2009-08-01 PubMed ID: 19642410DOI: 10.2746/095777309x383883Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research investigated the impacts of various forms of exercise on stabled horses and their effects on unwanted behaviours and rebound activity. The study concluded that all tested exercise types effectively reduced both unwanted behavior and rebound activity in stabled horses, suggesting potential benefits for horse welfare, training capability, and handler safety.
Study Design
- The study involved twenty-four horses that were all kept in stables. These horses were each randomly assigned to one of four different exercise regimes: walker, treadmill, turn-out, and riding. These forms of exercise took place over four consecutive days.
- Each horse served as its own control in the study. Four control treatments that mirrored the four types of exercise but didn’t include actual exercise were used. These control treatments were administered in a organized manner to avoid bias.
- Unwanted behaviour testing involved weighing the horses, as well as loading and unloading them onto a transport float. An experienced handler carried out these tasks. After each treatment, a ‘rebound effect’ test was conducted, where the horses were released into a large arena for 15 minutes.
Results and Findings
- All four exercise regimes significantly reduced walking, trotting, and cantering intensity in the arena after the exercise session compared to the control treatments.
- During these ‘rebound tests’, researchers noted fewer incidents of bucks and rolling. This suggested that turn-out exercise was having a more considerable effect than the other three forms.
- The exercise regimes significantly reduced both unwanted behaviours and the commands handlers needed to give during weighing. However, there was no significant reduction found during the loading process.
Conclusions
- Achieving one hour of daily exercise with either a walker, treadmill, turn-out, or riding proved beneficial in allowing stabled horses to express normal locomotor behaviour.
- These exercise regimens are likely to substantially improve horse welfare, training ability, and handler safety by reducing unwanted behaviours and the overall intensity of the ‘rebound effect’.
Cite This Article
APA
Freire R, Buckley P, Cooper JJ.
(2009).
Effects of different forms of exercise on post inhibitory rebound and unwanted behaviour in stabled horses.
Equine Vet J, 41(5), 487-492.
https://doi.org/10.2746/095777309x383883 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Boorooma Street, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales 2650, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Husbandry
- Animals
- Behavior, Animal / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Housing, Animal
- Motor Activity / physiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
Citations
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