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Home / Equine Research Bank / Front Vet Sci / Positive Reinforcement-Based Training for Self-Loading of Me...
Frontiers in veterinary science2019; 6; 350; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00350

Positive Reinforcement-Based Training for Self-Loading of Meat Horses Reduces Loading Time and Stress-Related Behavior.

Abstract: The present work aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a self-loading training using positive reinforcement on stress-related behaviors shown by meat horses during loading procedures into a truck. Thirty-two meat horses ( = 18; = 14; 6 month-old) were included in the study. All horses had limited interactions with the farmer and were not used to be restrained nor lead by halter. Horses were divided in two groups: Control Group (C; = 14) and Training Group (T; = 18). T horses were trained to self-load: in order to teach the horses to enter into the truck, a targeting training technique throughout a shaping process was applied. Training sessions were performed three times a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., for 6 weeks; training was then repeated once a week to maintain the memory until the transport toward a slaughterhouse. The loading phase was video-recorded and loading time was directly recorded using a stopwatch. All horses were transported to the same slaughterhouse in 14 different days using the same truck. Behavior was subsequently analyzed with a focal animal continuous recording method. Loading time was shorter in T horses (mean ± SD = 44.44 ± 47.58 s) than in C horses (mean ± SD = 463.09 ± 918.19 s) (-test; = 0.019). T horses showed more forward locomotion toward the truck than C horses (-test; = 0.029). Our preliminary findings suggest that self-loading training may be useful to mitigate loading-related stress in meat horses, minimally socialized with humans.
Copyright © 2019 Dai, Dalla Costa, Bonfanti, Caucci, Di Martino, Lucarelli, Padalino and Minero.
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Publication Date: 2019-10-10 PubMed ID: 31681807PubMed Central: PMC6802606DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00350Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research study evaluates the positive impact of self-loading training using positive reinforcement techniques on reducing stress behaviours in meat horses during loading procedures. The trained horses were found, on average, to take significantly less time to load and showed more forward motion towards the truck when compared to untrained ones.

Objective of the Study

  • The study aimed to analyse the effects of a specific training technique, known as self-loading training, on meat horses during loading procedures. This was done by monitoring the time taken to load and any observable stress behaviours exhibited by the horses.

Methodology

  • Thirty-two meat horses were used for this study. These horses had limited interactions with the farmer and were not used to being restrained or led by a halter.
  • The horses were split into two groups: a control group of 14 horses that were untrained (C) and a training group of 18 horses that received self-loading training (T).
  • The training group participated in training sessions three times a week over a span of six weeks. These sessions were conducted using a targeting training technique in a shaping process to encourage the horses to self-load onto the truck. The training was then repeated once a week to ensure the horses retained their newfound skills.

Measurements and Results

  • The loading phase was video recorded and the time taken to load the horses onto the truck was recorded with a stopwatch. The horses were then transported to the same slaughterhouse in the same truck.
  • The behaviour of the horses was studied using focal animal continuous recording methods.
  • The results showed that, on average, the trained horses took less time to load onto the truck when compared to the untrained horses. The average loading time for trained horses was 44.44 seconds, while for untrained it was 463.09 seconds.
  • Furthermore, the trained horses showed significantly more forward movement towards the truck compared to the untrained horses, indicating a reduction in stress-related behaviour.

Conclusion

  • In conclusion, the study suggests that self-loading training can successfully reduce stress in horses during loading procedures. This suggests promising implications for improving the welfare of meat horses that are minimally socialized with humans.

Cite This Article

APA
Dai F, Dalla Costa A, Bonfanti L, Caucci C, Di Martino G, Lucarelli R, Padalino B, Minero M. (2019). Positive Reinforcement-Based Training for Self-Loading of Meat Horses Reduces Loading Time and Stress-Related Behavior. Front Vet Sci, 6, 350. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2019.00350

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 6
Pages: 350
PII: 350

Researcher Affiliations

Dai, Francesca
  • Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Dalla Costa, Alessandro
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy.
Bonfanti, Lebana
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy.
Caucci, Claudia
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy.
Di Martino, Guido
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy.
Lucarelli, Roberta
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy.
Padalino, Barbara
  • Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Minero, Michela
  • Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.

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