Analyze Diet
Frontiers in veterinary science2017; 4; 23; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00023

Space Allowance of the Littered Area Affects Lying Behavior in Group-Housed Horses.

Abstract: Horses can sleep while standing; however, recumbency is required for rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and therefore essential. Previous research indicated a minimal duration of recumbency of 30 min per 24 h to perform a minimal duration of REM sleep. For group-housed horses, suitable lying area represents a potentially limited resource. In Switzerland, minimal dimensions for the space allowance of the littered area are therefore legally required. To assess the effect of different space allowances of the littered area on lying behavior, 38 horses in 8 groups were exposed to 4 treatments for 11 days each; T0: no litter provided, T0.5: 0.5× minimal dimensions, T1: minimal dimensions, and T1.5: 1.5× minimal dimensions. Non-littered areas were covered with hard rubber mats. Lying behavior was observed during the last 72 h of each treatment. The total number of lying bouts per 24 h was similar in treatments providing litter, whereas in treatment T0, recumbency occurred only rarely ( = 14.74,  = 0.0002) with the majority of horses lying down for less than 30 min per 24 h ([Formula: see text],  = 0.0006). Overall, the total duration of recumbency per 24 h increased with increasing dimensions of the littered area, whereby the effect attenuated between treatment T1 and T1.5 in high-ranking horses but continued in low-ranking horses ( = 3.22,  = 0.076). Furthermore, low-ranking horses showed considerably more forcedly terminated lying bouts in treatments T0.5 and T1, but were similar to high-ranking horses in T1.5 ( = 8.43,  = 0.005). Nonetheless, a number of individuals showed durations of recumbency of less than 30 min per 24 h even in treatment T1.5. The lying behavior was dependent on the availability of a soft and deformable surface for recumbency. A beneficial effect of enlarged dimensions of the littered area was shown by increased durations of recumbency and decreased proportion of forcedly terminated lying bouts in low-ranking horses. Taking this into account, it became evident that the minimal dimensions for the littered area as implemented in the Swiss animal welfare legislation do not ensure undisturbed lying behavior for all members of a given group.
Publication Date: 2017-03-07 PubMed ID: 28326309PubMed Central: PMC5339441DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00023Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
  • 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.

The research assesses the impact of the size of the littered area on lying behavior among group-housed horses. The study shows that the availability of an adequately-dimensioned and soft littered area influences the duration of recumbency (lying down), with variations noticed among the high-ranking and low-ranking horses.

Objective and Methodology

  • This research was conducted to examine how varying space allowances in littered areas would affect the lying behavior in group-housed horses. The researchers hypothesized that the larger the littered area, the longer the duration of recumbency, essential for rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in horses.
  • A total of 38 horses in 8 groups were monitored under 4 different treatments, labeled T0, T0.5, T1, and T1.5. Each treatment represented varying dimensions of the littered area, from no litter provided (T0) to 1.5 times the minimal dimensions (T1.5) for 11 days. In non-littered areas, hard rubber mats were used.

Findings

  • The key finding was that the total period of recumbency within the 24 hours increased as the dimensions of the littered area increased. However, this effect was more noticeable in low-ranking horses, suggesting differences based on the hierarchy within the group.
  • There were no significant changes in the number of lying bouts per day when litter was provided. However, in treatment T0, where no litter was provided, recumbency rarely occurred, and most horses spent less than the advised minimum of 30 minutes of recumbency within 24 hours.
  • The treatment wherein the size of the littered area was 1.5 times the minimal requirement (T1.5) was identified as being the most beneficial to low-ranking horses, observed in increased periods of recumbency and fewer interruptions in lying bouts.

Implications

  • The results of the study assert that the availability and dimensions of a soft, deformable surface for recumbency directly impact lying behaviour in horses and, consequently, their REM sleep and overall welfare.
  • However, while a larger littered area was found to be beneficial, it was noted that even in the most generous space allowance (T1.5), some horses still lay down for less than the minimum 30 minutes per 24 hours. This indicates that factors other than the size of the littered area may also influence recumbency time.
  • Overall, the study suggests that the minimal dimensions currently applied in the Swiss animal welfare legislation may not guarantee uninterrupted lying behavior for all horses within a group, highlighting the need for further examination and potential amendment of these stipulations.

Cite This Article

APA
Burla JB, Rufener C, Bachmann I, Gygax L, Patt A, Hillmann E. (2017). Space Allowance of the Littered Area Affects Lying Behavior in Group-Housed Horses. Front Vet Sci, 4, 23. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2017.00023

Publication

ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 4
Pages: 23
PII: 23

Researcher Affiliations

Burla, Joan-Bryce
  • Ethology and Animal Welfare Unit, ETH Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.
Rufener, Christina
  • Ethology and Animal Welfare Unit, ETH Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.
Bachmann, Iris
  • Agroscope, Swiss National Stud Farm , Avenches , Switzerland.
Gygax, Lorenz
  • Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office FSVO , Bern , Switzerland.
Patt, Antonia
  • Ethology and Animal Welfare Unit, ETH Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.
Hillmann, Edna
  • Ethology and Animal Welfare Unit, ETH Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.

References

This article includes 76 references
  1. Boyd LE, Keiper R. Behavioural ecology of feral horses. .
  2. Dallaire A. Rest behavior.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 1986 Dec;2(3):591-607.
    pubmed: 3492247doi: 10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30708-3google scholar: lookup
  3. Duncan P. Time-budgets of Camargue horses II. Time budgets of adult horses and weaned sub-adults. Behaviour 1980 72:49–62.
    doi: 10.1163/156853980X00023google scholar: lookup
  4. Fraser AF. The Behaviour of the Horse. .
  5. McGreevy P. Equine Behaviour: A Guide for Veterinarians and Equine Scientists. .
  6. Waring GH. Horse Behavior. .
  7. Dallaire A, Rucklebusch Y. Sleep and wakefulness in the housed pony under different dietary conditions.. Can J Comp Med 1974 Jan;38(1):65-71.
    pmc: PMC1319968pubmed: 4272959
  8. Houpt KA. Maintenance behaviours. .
  9. Horne JA. Sleep function, with particular reference to sleep deprivation.. Ann Clin Res 1985;17(5):199-208.
    pubmed: 3909914
  10. Siegel JM. Clues to the functions of mammalian sleep.. Nature 2005 Oct 27;437(7063):1264-71.
    doi: 10.1038/nature04285pubmed: 16251951google scholar: lookup
  11. Campbell SS, Tobler I. Animal sleep: a review of sleep duration across phylogeny.. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 1984 Fall;8(3):269-300.
    doi: 10.1016/0149-7634(84)90054-Xpubmed: 6504414google scholar: lookup
  12. Williams DC, Aleman M, Holliday TA, Fletcher DJ, Tharp B, Kass PH, Steffey EP, LeCouteur RA. Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the electroencephalogram in normal horses during spontaneous drowsiness and sleep.. J Vet Intern Med 2008 May-Jun;22(3):630-8.
  13. Kalus M. Schlafverhalten und Physiologie des Schlafes beim Pferd auf der Basis polysomnographischer Untersuchungen [Dissertation]. .
  14. Güntner KU. Polysomnographische Untersuchung zum Schlafverhalten des Pferdes [Dissertation]. .
  15. Williams DC, Aleman M, Tharp B, Fletcher DJ, Kass PH, Steffey EP, LeCouteur RA, Holliday TA. Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the electroencephalogram in normal horses after sedation.. J Vet Intern Med 2012 May-Jun;26(3):645-53.
  16. Pedersen GR, Søndergaard E, Ladewig J. The influence of bedding on the time horses spend recumbent. J Equine Vet Sci 2004 24:153–8.
  17. Harris CD. Neurophysiology of sleep and wakefulness.. Respir Care Clin N Am 2005 Dec;11(4):567-86.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rcc.2005.08.001pubmed: 16303589google scholar: lookup
  18. Lima SL, Rattenborg NC, Lesku JA, Amlaner CJ. Sleeping under the risk of predation. Anim Behav 2005 70:723–36.
  19. Bertone JJ. Excessive drowsiness secondary to recumbent sleep deprivation in two horses.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2006 Apr;22(1):157-62.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2005.12.020pubmed: 16627113google scholar: lookup
  20. Sambraus HH. Nutztierethologie: Das Verhalten landwirtschaftlicher Nutztiere – Eine angewandte Verhaltenskunde für die Praxis. .
  21. Zeitler-Feicht MH. Handbuch Pferdeverhalten. 2nd ed. .
  22. Ruckebusch Y. Sleep deprivation in cattle.. Brain Res 1974 Oct 4;78(3):495-9.
    doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(74)90932-9pubmed: 4371449google scholar: lookup
  23. Fuchs C, Kiefner C, Erhard M, Wöhr AC. Narcolepsy – or REM-deficient?. .
  24. Lyle CH, Keen JA. Episodic collapse in the horse. Equine Vet Educ 2010 22:576–86.
  25. Wöhr AC, Fuchs C, Kiefner C, Reese S, Erhard M. Narkolepsie oder das Pferd liegt nie?. .
  26. Dallaire A, Ruckebusch Y. Sleep patterns in the pony with observations on partial perceptual deprivation.. Physiol Behav 1974 May;12(5):789-96.
    doi: 10.1016/0031-9384(74)90015-8pubmed: 4365612google scholar: lookup
  27. Zepelin H, Siegel JM, Tobler I. Mammalian sleep. 4th ed. .
  28. Boyd LE, Carbonaro DA, Houpt KA. The 24-hour time budget of Przewalski horses. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1988 21:5–17.
  29. Duncan P. Time-budgets of Camargue horses (III): environmental influences. Behaviour 1985 92:188–208.
    doi: 10.1163/156853985X00442google scholar: lookup
  30. Keiper RR, Keenan MA. Nocturnal activity patterns of feral ponies. J Mammal 1980 61:116–8.
    doi: 10.2307/1379963google scholar: lookup
  31. Pirkelmann H. Haltungsverfahren und Bau von Reitanlagen. .
  32. Wöhr AC, Steidele N, Erhard M. Verhalten von Przewalski-Junghengsten in seminatürlicher Umgebung. .
  33. Steidele N. Beobachtungen einer Przewalski-Junggesellenherde im Jahresverlauf unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von Ruheverhalten und Rangordnung [Dissertation]. .
  34. Crowell-Davis SL. Daytime rest behavior of the Welsh pony (Equus caballus) mare and foal. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1994 40:197–210.
  35. Fader C. Ausscheide- und Ruheverhalten von Pferden in Offenlaufstall- und Boxenhaltung [Dissertation]. .
  36. Rose-Meierhöfer S, Standke K, Hoffmann G. Auswirkungen verschiedener Gruppengrößen auf Bewegungsaktivität, Body Condition Score, Liege- und Sozialverhalten bei Jungpferden. Züchtungskunde 2010 82:282–91.
  37. Zeitler-Feicht MH, Prantner V. Liegeverhalten von Pferden in Gruppenauslaufhaltung. Arch Tierz Dummerstorf 2000 43:327–35.
  38. Hunter L, Houpt KA. Bedding material preferences of ponies. J Anim Sci 1989 67:1986–91.
    doi: 10.2527/jas1989.6781986xgoogle scholar: lookup
  39. Hoffmann G, Bentke A, Rose-Meierhöfer S, Berg W, Mazetti P, Hardarson GH. Influence of an active stable system on the behavior and body condition of Icelandic horses.. Animal 2012 Oct;6(10):1684-93.
    doi: 10.1017/S1751731112000699pubmed: 22717220google scholar: lookup
  40. Baumgartner M. Liegeverhalten von Pferden im Offenlaufstall auf unterschiedlichen Bodenmaterialien (Gummimatten, Späne und Sand) [Dissertation]. .
  41. Hartmann E, Søndergaard E, Keeling LJ. Keeping horses in groups: a review. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2012 136:77–87.
  42. Littlejohn A, Munro R. Equine recumbency.. Vet Rec 1972 Jan 22;90(4):83-5.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.90.4.83pubmed: 5033197google scholar: lookup
  43. FSVO Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (formerly FVO Federal Veterinary Office). Animal Welfare Ordinance (TSchV 455.1). Switzerland 2008.
  44. FSVO Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (formerly FVO Federal Veterinary Office). Tierschutz-Kontrollhandbuch Pferde. Switzerland 2008.
  45. Burla J-B, Ostertag A, Schulze Westerath H, Hillmann E. Gait determination and activity measurement in horses using an accelerometer. Comput Electron Agric 2014 102:127–33.
  46. Gygax L, Kutzer T, Brötje A, Wechsler B. Influence of an early exposure to the calving pen on lying behavior at calving and avoidance distance of dairy heifers. Livest Sci 2015 182:108–11.
  47. Helmreich S, Wechsler B, Jungbluth T, Hauser R. Validation of a novel data logger for recording lying behaviour of dairy cows and its application on robotic milking farms. Proceedings of the 3rd Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, July 6–10 Cairns, Australia 2009.
  48. Johns J, Patt A, Hillmann E. Do bells affect behaviour and heart rate variability in grazing dairy cows?. PLoS One 2015;10(6):e0131632.
  49. Patt A, Gygax L, Wechsler B, Hillmann E, Palme R, Keil NM. Behavioural and physiological reactions of goats confronted with an unfamiliar group either when alone or with two peers. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2013 146:56–65.
  50. RCoreTeam. R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing. Vienna 2013/2015.
  51. Ellard M-E, Crowell-Davis SL. Evaluating equine dominance in draft mares. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1989 24:55–75.
  52. Fureix C, Bourjade M, Henry S, Sankey C, Hausberger M. Exploring aggression regulation in managed groups of horses Equus caballus. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2012 138:216–28.
  53. Houpt KA, Law K, Martinisi V. Dominance hierarchies in domestic horses. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1978 4:273–83.
  54. Sambraus HH. [Ethology of agricultural animals].. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd 1975 Apr;117(4):193-218.
    pubmed: 1169814
  55. Pinheiro J, Bates D, DebRoy S, Sarkar D, RCoreTeam. nnlme: Linear and Nonlinear Mixed Effects Models. R Package Version 3.1-118. RCoreTeam 2014.
  56. Bates D, Maechler M, Bolker B. nlme4: Linear Mixed-Effects Models Using S4 Classes. 2013.
  57. Muggenthaler K, Zeitler-Feicht MH, Mühlbauer A-C, Kilian E, Reiter K. Sägespäne versus Liegematten – Untersuchen zum Ausruh- und Ausscheideverhalten von Pferden in der Liegehalle von Mehrraumaußenlaufställen mit Auslauf. Aktuelle Arbeiten zur artgemäßen Tierhaltung. Vol. 482 Darmstadt 2010 p. 145–55.
  58. Raabymagle P, Ladewig J. Lying behavior in horses in relation to box size. J Equine Vet Sci 2006 26:11–7.
  59. Pollmann U. Einfluss der Strukturierung des Liegebereichs einer Gruppenauslaufhaltung auf das Verhalten der Pferde. Tagungsband der DVG-Fachgruppe Tierschutzrecht und Tierzucht, Erbpathologie und Haustiergenetik Germany 2003 p. 71–5.
  60. Zeitler-Feicht M, Prantner V, Thaller G, Fader C. Zum Liegeverhalten von Pferden in Offenlaufställen. Aktuelle Arbeiten zur artgemäßen Tierhaltung. Vol. 382 Darmstadt 1998 p. 82–9.
  61. Færevik G, Tjentland K, Løvik S, Andersen IL, Bøe KE. Resting pattern and social behaviour of dairy calves housed in pens with different sized lying areas. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2008 114:54–64.
  62. Mogensen L, Nielsen LH, Hindhede J, Sørensen JT, Krohn CC. Effect of space allowance in deep bedding systems on resting behaviour, production, and health of dairy heifers. Acta Agric Scand A Anim Sci 1997 47:178–86.
    doi: 10.1080/09064709709362384google scholar: lookup
  63. Nielsen LH, Mogensen L, Krohn C, Hindhede J, Sørensen JT. Resting and social behaviour of dairy heifers housed in slatted floor pens with different sized bedded lying areas. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1997 54:307–16.
  64. Bøe KE, Berg S, Andersen IL. Resting behaviour and displacements in ewes—effects of reduced lying space and pen shape. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2006 98:249–59.
  65. Andersen IL, Bøe KE. Resting pattern and social interactions in goats—the impact of size and organisation of lying space. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2007 108:89–103.
  66. Fader C, Sambraus HH. Das Ruheverhalten von Pferden in Laufställen. Tierärztl Umsch 2004 59:320–7.
  67. Wille E. Vergleichende Untersuchungen von Pferden in zeitweiliger Anbindehaltung, Einzelboxenhaltung und Gruppenhaltung unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des Liegeverhaltens [Dissertation]. .
  68. Mills DS, Eckley S, Cooper JJ. Thoroughbred bedding preferences, associated behaviour differences and their implications for equine welfare. Anim Sci 2000 70:95–106.
    doi: 10.1017/S1357729800051638google scholar: lookup
  69. Obergfell J. Einfluss von Strukturelementen auf das Liegeverhalten von Pferden in Gruppenhaltung unter Berücksichtigung des Aggressionsverhaltens [Dissertation]. .
  70. Dewson JH 3rd, Dement WC, Wagener TE, Nobel K. Rapid eye movement sleep deprivation: a central-neural change during wakefulness.. Science 1967 Apr 21;156(3773):403-6.
    doi: 10.1126/science.156.3773.403pubmed: 4304356google scholar: lookup
  71. Fishbein W. Disruptive effects of rapid eye movement sleep deprivation on long-term memory.. Physiol Behav 1971 Apr;6(4):279-82.
    doi: 10.1016/0031-9384(71)90155-7pubmed: 4337286google scholar: lookup
  72. Kushida CA, Bergmann BM, Rechtschaffen A. Sleep deprivation in the rat: IV. Paradoxical sleep deprivation.. Sleep 1989 Feb;12(1):22-30.
    pubmed: 2928623doi: 10.1093/sleep/12.1.22google scholar: lookup
  73. Shaffery JP, Sinton CM, Bissette G, Roffwarg HP, Marks GA. Rapid eye movement sleep deprivation modifies expression of long-term potentiation in visual cortex of immature rats.. Neuroscience 2002;110(3):431-43.
    doi: 10.1016/S0306-4522(01)00589-9pubmed: 11906784google scholar: lookup
  74. Stern WC. Acquisition impairments following rapid eye movement sleep deprivation in rats.. Physiol Behav 1971 Sep;7(3):345-52.
    doi: 10.1016/0031-9384(71)90312-Xpubmed: 4329575google scholar: lookup
  75. Reynolds CF 3rd, Buysse DJ, Kupfer DJ, Hoch CC, Houck PR, Matzzie J, George CJ. Rapid eye movement sleep deprivation as a probe in elderly subjects.. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1990 Dec;47(12):1128-36.
  76. Spoormaker VI, Schröter MS, Andrade KC, Dresler M, Kiem SA, Goya-Maldonado R, Wetter TC, Holsboer F, Sämann PG, Czisch M. Effects of rapid eye movement sleep deprivation on fear extinction recall and prediction error signaling.. Hum Brain Mapp 2012 Oct;33(10):2362-76.
    doi: 10.1002/hbm.21369pmc: PMC6870311pubmed: 21826762google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Kjellberg L, Yngvesson J, Sassner H, Morgan K. Horses' Use of Lying Halls and Time Budget in Relation to Available Lying Area.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 10;11(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11113214pubmed: 34827946google scholar: lookup
  2. Kelemen Z, Grimm H, Long M, Auer U, Jenner F. Recumbency as an Equine Welfare Indicator in Geriatric Horses and Horses with Chronic Orthopaedic Disease.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 8;11(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11113189pubmed: 34827921google scholar: lookup
  3. Kelemen Z, Grimm H, Vogl C, Long M, Cavalleri JMV, Auer U, Jenner F. Equine Activity Time Budgets: The Effect of Housing and Management Conditions on Geriatric Horses and Horses with Chronic Orthopaedic Disease.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jun 23;11(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11071867pubmed: 34201584google scholar: lookup
  4. Auer U, Kelemen Z, Engl V, Jenner F. Activity Time Budgets-A Potential Tool to Monitor Equine Welfare?. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 17;11(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11030850pubmed: 33802908google scholar: lookup
  5. Raspa F, Tarantola M, Bergero D, Bellino C, Mastrazzo CM, Visconti A, Valvassori E, Vervuert I, Valle E. Stocking Density Affects Welfare Indicators in Horses Reared for Meat Production.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jun 26;10(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10061103pubmed: 32604808google scholar: lookup
  6. Murase H, Matsui A, Endo Y, Sato F, Hada T. Changes of lying behavior in Thoroughbred foals influenced by age, pasturing time, and weather conditions.. J Equine Sci 2018 Sep;29(3):61-66.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.29.61pubmed: 30250393google scholar: lookup