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The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2006; 47(2); 136-143;

Management factors affecting stereotypies and body condition score in nonracing horses in Prince Edward Island.

Abstract: In North America, there are few representative data about the effects of management practices on equine welfare. In a randomized survey of 312 nonracing horses in Prince Edward Island (response rate 68.4%), owners completed a pretested questionnaire and a veterinarian examined each horse. Regression analyses identified factors affecting 2 welfare markers: body condition score (BCS) and stereotypic behavior. Horses' BCSs were high (mean 5.7, on a 9-point scale) and were associated with sex (males had lower BCSs than females; P < 0.001) and examination date (P = 0.052). Prevalences of crib biting, wind sucking, and weaving were 3.8%, 3.8%, and 4.8%, respectively. Age (OR = 1.07, P = 0.08) and hours worked weekly (OR = 1.12, P = 0.03) were risk factors for weaving. Straw bedding (OR = 0.3, P = 0.03), daily hours at pasture (OR = 0.94, P = 0.02), and horse type (drafts and miniatures had a lower risk than light horses; P = 0.12) reduced the risk of horses showing oral stereotypies. Some of these results contradict those of other studies perhaps because of populations concerned. En Amérique du Nord, il y a peu de données typiques sur les effets des pratiques de gestion sur le bien-être des chevaux. Dans une enquête au hasard de 312 chevaux non courseurs de l’Ile-Du-Prince-Édouard (taux de réponse de 68,4 %), des propriétaires ont rempli un questionnaire validé et un vétérinaire a examiné chaque cheval. Des analyses de régression ont identifié les facteurs affectant 2 marqueurs de bien être : la cote de condition physique (CCP) et le comportement stéréotypé. Les cotes de condition physique des chevaux étaient élevées (moyenne 5,7 sur une échelle de 9) et étaient associées au sexe (les mâles ayant une CCP plus basse que les femelles; < 0,001) et à la date d’examen ( = 0,052). Les prévalences du tic à l’appui, du tic aérophagique et du tic de l’ours étaient respectivement de 3,8 %, 3,8 % et 4,8 %. L’âge (OR = 1,07, = 0,08) et les heures hebdomadaires de travail (OR = 1,12, = 0,03) étaient de facteurs de risque pour le tic de l’ours. La présence de litière de paille (OR = 0,3, = 0,03), les heures quotidiennes au pâturage (OR = 0,94, = 0,02) et la catégorie (les chevaux de travail et miniatures avaient un risque plus faible que les chevaux légers; = 0,12) constituaient des facteurs de risques pour les stéréotypes oraux. Les résultats fournissent un aperçu de la nature des stéréotypes et de la CCP. (Traduit par Docteur André Blouin)
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Publication Date: 2006-04-04 PubMed ID: 16579039PubMed Central: PMC1345728
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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 how certain management practices affect the welfare of non-racing horses in Prince Edward Island, North America. The survey analyzed body condition scores and stereotypic behavior as indicators of horses’ wellbeing, concluding that different factors such as sex, work hours and bedding material influence these markers.

Horse Selection and Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a randomized survey of 312 non-racing horses in Prince Edward Island with a 68.4% response rate. These horses were gauged on welfare markers like body condition score (BCS) and stereotypic behavior.
  • Owning parties completed a pretested questionnaire while a veterinarian conducted physical examinations of the horses.
  • Statistical methods (regression analyses) were applied to identify factors impacting BCS and stereotypic behavior in horses.

Body Condition Score Results

  • Generally, the horses had high body condition scores (BCS), with the mean BCS being 5.7 on a 9-point scale.
  • Analysis revealed a correlation between BCS and the sex of the horse. Male horses presented lower BCS than female horses.
  • The timing of examination also seemed to affect BCS levels, though this correlation was only marginally significant.

Stereotypical Behaviour Findings

  • Behaviors such as crib biting, wind sucking, and weaving were observed among horses at respective rates of 3.8%, 3.8%, and 4.8%.
  • Risk factors for engaging in weaving behavior were found to be age and hours worked weekly.
  • The occurrence of oral stereotypies could diminish with the presence of straw bedding, daily hours at pasture and even the type of horse. The evidence suggested that draft horses and miniatures had a lower risk of manifesting oral stereotypies compared to light horses.
  • The variances in results could be due to the specific nature of the horse population studied.

Conclusion

  • The findings provide insights into the characteristics of BCS and stereotypies in non-racing horses.
  • The nature and extent of stereotypies and BCS suggest that management practices can significantly influence horse welfare. Animal care providers could leverage this knowledge to refine management strategies to maximize equine welfare.

Cite This Article

APA
Christie JL, Hewson CJ, Riley CB, McNiven MA, Dohoo IR, Bate LA. (2006). Management factors affecting stereotypies and body condition score in nonracing horses in Prince Edward Island. Can Vet J, 47(2), 136-143.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 47
Issue: 2
Pages: 136-143

Researcher Affiliations

Christie, Julie L
  • Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
Hewson, Caroline J
    Riley, Christopher B
      McNiven, Mary A
        Dohoo, Ian R
          Bate, Luis A

            MeSH Terms

            • Animal Husbandry / standards
            • Animal Husbandry / statistics & numerical data
            • Animal Welfare
            • Animals
            • Behavior, Animal / physiology
            • Body Constitution / physiology
            • Female
            • Horses / physiology
            • Male
            • Prince Edward Island
            • Risk Factors
            • Sex Factors
            • Surveys and Questionnaires

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