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Equine veterinary journal2002; 34(6); 572-579; doi: 10.2746/042516402776180241

Factors influencing the development of stereotypic and redirected behaviours in young horses: findings of a four year prospective epidemiological study.

Abstract: Stereotypies are invariant and repetitive behaviour patterns that seemingly have no function, which tend to develop in captive animals faced with insoluble problems and may be indicative of reduced welfare. A 4 year prospective study of the factors influencing the development of stereotypic and redirected behaviours (abnormal behaviour) in a population of 225 young Thoroughbred and part-Thoroughbred horses was conducted between 1995 and 1999. Abnormal behaviour affected 34.7% of the population. Multivariable analysis showed that foals of low- or middle-ranking mares were less likely to develop abnormal behaviour than foals of dominant mares (rate ratio (RR) 0.23, P<0.01; RR 0.48, P<0.01, respectively). Weaning by confinement in a stable or barn was associated with an increased rate of development of abnormal behaviour, compared with paddock-weaning (RR 2.19, P<0.05), and housing in barns, rather than at grass after weaning, was associated with a further increase (RR 2.54, P<0.01). Specific stereotypic and redirected behaviours were then considered as separate outcomes. Crib-biting was initiated by 10.5% of horses at median age 20 weeks, weaving by 4.6% of horses at median age 60 weeks, box-walking by 2.3% of horses at median age 64 weeks and wood-chewing by 30.3% of horses at median age 30 weeks. Wood-chewing developed at a lower rate in horses born to subordinate or mid-ranking mares than in horses born to dominant mares (RR 0.29, P<0.01; RR 0.41, P<0.01, respectively), and at a higher rate in horses kept in barns or stables rather than at grass after weaning (RR 4.49, P<0.001; RR 1A6, P<0.001, respectively). Feeding concentrates after weaning was associated with a 4-fold increase in the rate of development of crib-biting (RR 4.12, P = 0.02). The results of this study support the idea that simple changes in feeding, housing and weaning practices could substantially lower the incidence of abnormal behaviour in young horses.
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Publication Date: 2002-10-03 PubMed ID: 12357996DOI: 10.2746/042516402776180241Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

This research studied what factors affect the development of repetitive, non-functional behavior patterns, called stereotypies, in young horses over a period of four years. The study found that factors such as the rank of the mother horse, the method of weaning, and certain feeding and housing practices can influence the development of these behaviors, suggesting potential for practical changes to improve horse welfare.

Study Design and Methodology

  • This research is based on a 4-year prospective epidemiological study, meaning it’s designed to assess and monitor a population over time with an aim to identify risk factors related to certain health outcomes—in this case, stereotypic behaviours.
  • The study was conducted from 1995 to 1999 and observed a population of 225 young Thoroughbred and part-Thoroughbred horses.
  • It monitored the development of abnormal behaviours such as crib-biting, weaving, box-walking, and wood-chewing which are said to be indicative of reduced welfare in captive animals.

Key Findings

  • The study found that abnormal behaviour affected 34.7% of the population of horses studied.
  • Foals born to low- or middle-ranking mares were less likely to exhibit these abnormal behaviours than those born to dominant mares.
  • Method of weaning also had an impact on the behaviours with weaning that involved confinement in a stable or barn associated with an increased rate of abnormal behaviour development, as compared to paddock-weaning.
  • Housing also played a part, with barn housing after weaning more associated with the development of abnormal behaviours, compared with being kept at grass.
  • Certain behaviours had specific development patterns: 10.5% of horses started crib-biting at approximately 20 weeks of age, 4.6% started weaving at around 60 weeks, 2.3% started box-walking at 64 weeks, and 30.3% started wood-chewing at 30 weeks.
  • Wood-chewing was less common in horses born to subordinate or mid-ranking mares, but more common in horses kept in barns or stables after weaning.
  • Feeding concentrates after weaning was linked to a 4-fold increase in the rate of crib-biting development.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The findings suggest that simple changes to practices related to feeding, housing, and weaning could significantly decrease the development of abnormal behaviour in young horses.
  • Increasing attention to these areas could significantly improve the welfare of the horse population.

Cite This Article

APA
Waters AJ, Nicol CJ, French NP. (2002). Factors influencing the development of stereotypic and redirected behaviours in young horses: findings of a four year prospective epidemiological study. Equine Vet J, 34(6), 572-579. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516402776180241

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 34
Issue: 6
Pages: 572-579

Researcher Affiliations

Waters, A J
  • University of Bristol, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Langford, Bristol, UK.
Nicol, C J
    French, N P

      MeSH Terms

      • Age Factors
      • Animal Husbandry / methods
      • Animal Welfare
      • Animals
      • Behavior, Animal
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
      • Horse Diseases / psychology
      • Horses
      • Housing, Animal
      • Longitudinal Studies
      • Male
      • Prevalence
      • Prospective Studies
      • Risk Factors
      • Stereotyped Behavior
      • Weaning

      Citations

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