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Home / Equine Research Bank / Anim Sci J / Relationship between foal daily gain, suckling behavior, and...
Animal science journal = Nihon chikusan Gakkaiho2022; 93(1); e13692; doi: 10.1111/asj.13692

Relationship between foal daily gain, suckling behavior, and the distance between foals and their mares in the first 40 days of life of Hokkaido native horses kept outdoors year-round.

Abstract: In this study, we investigated suckling behavior and the distance between a foal and its mare as indicators of foal growth in Hokkaido native horses (HKD) during the first 40 days of life. Direct observations were made of 22 mare and foal pairs from two consecutive days 1 and 2, 5 and 6, 10 and 11, 20 and 21, 30 and 31, and 40 and 41 after birth by focal animal sampling for 3 h per day. Suckling behavior was continuously recorded, along with the terminator. The distance between the foal and its mare was determined using the instantaneous sampling method (1 min), and the percentage was calculated within 4 m while the foal was recumbent (DPW4FR). In the first week after birth, the duration and frequency of suckling terminated by the foal were negatively correlated with foal daily gains (duration, -0.49, p = 0.028; frequency, -0.53, p = 0.017). The DPW4FR and daily gain during 10-40 days after birth showed significant negative correlation (-0.47, p = 0.031). It is suggested that in HKD reproduction systems, suckling behavior termination by the foal and the distance between the foal and mare may be indicators of early foal growth.
© 2022 Japanese Society of Animal Science.
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Publication Date: 2022-02-12 PubMed ID: 35146842DOI: 10.1111/asj.13692Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research studied the relationship between a foal’s daily growth, its suckling behavior, and the distance it keeps from its mare in the first 40 days of life among Hokkaido native horses. The findings indicate that both the way a foal ends its suckling behavior and how close it stays to its mother may be used as indicators of the foal’s early growth.

Research methodology

  • The researchers observed 22 pairs of Hokkaido native horse mares and their foals on specific days after the foals were born, specifically: 1 and 2, 5 and 6, 10 and 11, 20 and 21, 30 and 31, and 40 and 41. These observations took place for 3 hours each day.
  • The suckling behavior was recorded continuously throughout this time, including the termination of the suckling behavior (when and how the suckling ended).
  • The distance between the foal and its mare was measured using the instantaneous sampling method every minute. The researchers calculated the time the foal spent within 4 meters of its mother while lying down (referred to as DPW4FR in the study).

Key findings

  • Within the first week of birth, the researchers found a negative correlation between how long and how often a foal terminated its suckling and its daily growth. In other words, foals that ended their suckling behavior more frequently or for longer periods were found to have smaller daily gains in growth.
  • The researchers also found a significant negative correlation between the DPW4FR – the proximity of the foal to its mare while it was lying down – and the foal’s daily growth during the 10-40 day period following birth. This implies that the closer the foal stayed to its mother within this period, the slower its daily growth rate tended to be.

Implications of the research

  • The study suggests that both suckling behavior termination by the foal and the distance it stays from its mare can be used as indicators of early foal growth in the Hokkaido native horse reproduction systems.
  • This information could potentially assist in identifying growth issues in foals earlier, and consequently, intervene as necessary.

Cite This Article

APA
Huricha , Kawai M, Ninomiya S. (2022). Relationship between foal daily gain, suckling behavior, and the distance between foals and their mares in the first 40 days of life of Hokkaido native horses kept outdoors year-round. Anim Sci J, 93(1), e13692. https://doi.org/10.1111/asj.13692

Publication

Animal science journal = Nihon chikusan Gakkaiho
ISSN: 1740-0929
NlmUniqueID: 100956805
Country: Australia
Language: English
Volume: 93
Issue: 1
Pages: e13692

Researcher Affiliations

Huricha,
  • The United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan.
Kawai, Masahito
  • Shizunai Livestock Farm, Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, Shinhidaka, Japan.
Ninomiya, Shigeru
  • Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan.

MeSH Terms

  • Aging
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Parturition
  • Pregnancy

Grant Funding

  • Hokkaido University

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