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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.
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Publication Date: 2017-03-07 PubMed ID: 28326309PubMed Central: PMC5339441DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00023Google 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 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

Frontiers in veterinary science
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.

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