Factors Associated With the Development and Prevalence of Abnormal Behaviors in Horses: Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.

This research investigates the various factors that may contribute to the development and prevalence of abnormal behaviors in horses. The study was done through a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of published scientific literature.

Study Methodology

• The research was conducted over a four-year period in three languages: Portuguese, Spanish, and English.
• The literature selected for review included full-text research thesis or articles that provided data on:
  • Epidemiological information of the studied population.
  • Prevalence of abnormal behaviors in equine populations.
  • Factors related to the development or prevalence of stereotypies (abnormal repetitive behaviors).
• Data gathered from the studies were documented in an Excel spreadsheet for further analysis using descriptive statistics.
• The Mann-Whitney U test, a statistical analysis, was used to check for significant differences in the methodologies of the studies (i.e., whether the study used direct observation or questionnaires).
• Data mining, a computational process of discovering patterns in large data sets, was applied to identify primary factors influencing the prevalence of abnormal behaviors in the studied population.

Study Results

• The analysis revealed a significant variability in the mean prevalence of abnormal behaviors amongst horses. However, how the data was collected (either through questionnaires or direct observation) didn’t significantly influence this variability.
• Data mining pointed out that improper nutritional management can be a major influencing factor in the development and prevalence of abnormal behaviors in horses.

Conclusions

• The study found that the overall causes for abnormal behaviors in horses are quite varied, highlighting the complexity of the problem.
• The findings suggest a need for an improved understanding of horse nutrition and its management, as it may play a significant role in preventing the development of such abnormal behaviors in horses.