FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Effects of weaning-related stress on the emotional health of...
Equine veterinary journal2024; doi: 10.1111/evj.14412

Effects of weaning-related stress on the emotional health of horses-A scoping review.

Abstract: Weaning represents one of the most stressful events in the life of a horse, and may have long-term impacts on behaviour. There are a range of approaches used to wean foals from mares, including abrupt and progressive separation methods. There is currently a lack of consensus on how stress and impact are measured. Objective: To conduct a scoping review to identify and chart measures of weaning-related stress on the mare and foal. Methods: Scoping review. Methods: The scoping review was conducted using the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. Systematic searches were conducted in three scientific databases (CAB abstracts, Medline and Embase). The title, abstract and full text of retrieved studies were reviewed against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Publications that remained after full text review were analysed. Data on study design, population characteristics, weaning method and health and behavioural outcomes were extracted and charted. Results: A total of 366 publications were identified; 22 were retained for inclusion and charting. Eighteen studies reported behavioural measures, four only reported physiological measures and 12/22 studies used a combination of both. Fifteen studies analysed foal behaviour only (15/22), six analysed foals with their dams and one analysed the mare only. Duration of most studies (19/22) was a maximum of 12 months post weaning; three studies continued measurements until the foal age was 3-4 years old. Conclusions: Limited number of studies available for analysis. Conclusions: There is significant variation in the current evidence around weaning-related impacts in the mare and foal. This includes variation in how weaning methods and management of mares and foals are described, and very limited research evaluating long-term impacts, or the impact on the mare. This scoping review makes recommendations on how to improve the future evidence base.
© 2024 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2024-08-29 PubMed ID: 39210551DOI: 10.1111/evj.14412Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Review

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 article explores the stressful effects of weaning on horses’ emotional health by conducting a scoping review. The process involves examining different weaning methods, measurement of stress, and the potential impact of these methods on the foal and mare.

Research Methods

  • The study uses a scoping review process, specifically following the PRISMA extension for such reviews. Scoping reviews are a type of literature review used to identify, review, and chart a broad field of research.
  • Systematic searches were conducted in three different scientific databases: CAB abstracts, Medline, and Embase for pertinent research.
  • Retrieved studies went through stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria, including an analysis of each study’s title, abstract, and full text.
  • From the final set of included publications, data like study design, population characteristics, weaning method, health and behavioural outcomes were extracted and charted for analysis.

Research Findings

  • Out of 366 identified publications, only 22 remained following the review process.
  • Among these 22 studies, 18 reported behavioural measures, 4 examined physiological measures exclusively, while 12 combined both.
  • A majority of the studies (15 out of 22) focused only on the behaviour of the foal, six of them analysed the mares and their foals, and only one study only investigated the mare’s behaviour.
  • The duration of the majority of the studies was limited to a maximum of 12 months post-weaning, but three studies continued their measurements until the foals were 3-4 years old.

Research Conclusions

  • Notwithstanding the limited numbers of studies available for analysis, the research found significant variation in the available evidence regarding the impacts of weaning on both the mare and the foal.
  • The review found disparities in how weaning methods are described, how the mares and foals are managed during these studies, and scarcely any research on long-term impacts or the mare’s wellbeing.
  • The review ends by recommending improvements that could be made for future studies in this field, thus enhancing the evidence base surrounding the effects of weaning on horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Dwyer J, Roshier AL, Campbell M, Hill B, Freeman SL. (2024). Effects of weaning-related stress on the emotional health of horses-A scoping review. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14412

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Dwyer, Joanne
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire, UK.
Roshier, Amanda L
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire, UK.
Campbell, Madeleine
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire, UK.
Hill, Bradley
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire, UK.
Freeman, Sarah L
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire, UK.

References

This article includes 25 references
  1. Moons C, Laughlin K, Zanella A. Effects of short‐term maternal separations on weaning stress in foals.. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2005;91(3–4):321–335.
  2. Wulf M, Beythien E, Ille N, Aurich J, Aurich C. The stress response of 6‐month‐old horses to abrupt weaning is influenced by their sex.. J Vet Behav 2018;23:19–24.
  3. Henry S, Zanella AJ, Sankey C, Richard‐Yris MA, Marko A, Hausberger M. Adults may be used to alleviate weaning stress in domestic foals (Equus caballus).. Physiol & Behav 2012;106(4):428–438.
  4. VetSRev. VetSR. Available from: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/cevm/evidence-synthesis/systematic-review/vetsrev.aspx. Accessed Oct 2023.
  5. Tricco AC, Lillie E, Zarin W, O'Brien K, Colquhoun H, Levac D. PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA‐ScR): checklist and explanation.. Ann Intern Med 2018;169:467–473.
    doi: 10.7326/m18-0850google scholar: lookup
  6. Ouzzani M, Hammady H, Fedorowicz Z, Elmagarmid A. Rayyan—a web and mobile app for systematic reviews.. Syst Rev 2016;5(210).
    doi: 10.1186/s13643-016-0384-4google scholar: lookup
  7. Araba BD, Crowell‐Davis SL. Dominance relationships and aggression of foals (Equus caballus).. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1994;41(1):1–25.
  8. Christensen JW, Beblein C, Malmkvist J. Development and consistency of fearfulness in horses from foal to adult.. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2020;232:105–106.
  9. Dubcová J, Bartošová J, Komárková M. Effects of prompt versus stepwise relocation to a novel environment on foals' responses to weaning in domestic horses (Equus caballus).. J Vet Behav 2015;10(4):346–352.
  10. Erber R, Wulf M, Rose‐Meierhöfer S, Becker‐Birck M, Möstl E, Aurich J. Behavioral and physiological responses of young horses to different weaning protocols: a pilot study.. Stress 2012;15(2):184–194.
  11. Falomo ME, Gabai G, Franchini G, Poltronieri C, Rossi M, Normando S. Behavioral and hormonal effects of 2 weaning methods in trotter mares.. J Vet Behav 2020;35:47–53.
  12. Górecka‐Bruzda A, Suwała M, Palme R, Jaworski Z, Jastrzębska E, Boroń M. Events around weaning in semi‐feral and stable‐reared Konik polski foals: evaluation of short‐term physiological and behavioural responses.. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2015;163:122–134.
  13. Heleski C, Shelle A, Nielsen B, Zanella A. Influence of housing on weanling horse behavior and subsequent welfare.. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2002;78(2–4):291–302.
  14. Holland J, Kronfeld D, Hoffman R, Greiwe‐Crandell K, Boyd T, Cooper W. Weaning stress is affected by nutrition and weaning methods.. Pferdeheilkunde 1996;12:257–260.
  15. Houpt K, Hintz H, Butler W. A preliminary study of two methods of weaning foals.. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1984;12(1–2):177–181.
  16. Lansade L, Foury A, Reigner F, Vidament M, Guettier E, Bouvet G. Progressive habituation to separation alleviates the negative effects of weaning in the mother and foal.. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018;97:59–68.
  17. Malinowski K, Hallquist N, Helyar L, Sherman A, Scanes C. Effect of different separation protocols between mares and foals on plasma cortisol and cell‐mediated immune response.. J Eq Vet Sci 1990;10(5):363–368.
  18. McCall C, Potter G, Kreider J, Jenkins W. Physiological responses in foals weaned by abrupt or gradual methods.. J Eq Vet Sci 1987;7(6):368–374.
  19. Merkies K, DuBois C, Marshall K, Parois S, Graham L, Haley D. A two‐stage method to approach weaning stress in horses using a physical barrier to prevent nursing.. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2016;183:68–76.
  20. Nicol CJ, Badnell‐Waters AJ. Suckling behaviour in domestic foals and the development of abnormal oral behaviour.. Anim Behav 2005;70(1):21–29.
  21. Nicol C, Badnell‐Waters A, Bice R, Kelland A, Wilson A, Harris P. The effects of diet and weaning method on the behaviour of young horses.. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2005;95(3–4):205–221.
  22. Normando S, Giaretta E, Schiavon I, Mongillo P, Falomo ME. Behavioral and hormonal effects of two weaning situations in trotter foals.. J Vet Behav 2022;47:99–110.
  23. Qureshi AS, Yaqoob F, Enbergs H. Hematologic, metabolite and hormone responses to weaning‐induced stress in foals of different breeds.. Pakistan Vet J 2013;33(4):500–504.
  24. Waters A, Nicol C, French N. Factors influencing the development of stereotypic and redirected behaviours in young horses: findings of a four year prospective epidemiological study.. Equine Vet J 2002;34(6):572–579.
  25. Weeks JW, Crowell‐Davis S, Caudle A, Heusner G. Aggression and social spacing in light horse (Equus caballus) mares and foals.. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2000;68(4):319–337.

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.