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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2023; 13(6); 1065; doi: 10.3390/ani13061065

The Effect of Stabling Routines on Potential Behavioural Indicators of Affective State in Horses and Their Use in Assessing Quality of Life.

Abstract: Increasing interest in equine welfare has emphasised the need for objective and reliable behavioural indicators of horses' affective state. However, research has yielded mixed results regarding behaviours suited for industry use largely because they are subject to anthropomorphic interpretation. Stabling is commonly used to manage domesticated horses despite research indicating that it can negatively impact horse welfare, but its effect on their affective state is yet to be quantified. Ten adult horses (11.8 ± 4.4 years) were observed either on a day- (DS) or night-stabling (NS) schedule over two consecutive 24 h periods. NS horses were kept confined for significantly longer (13.60 ± 0.04 h) than DS horses (7.73 ± 0.07; = 5.70; = 0.0004). Eight behaviours occurred significantly more often during NS than DS: forward ears ( = 3.32; = 0.001), neutral ears ( = 3.47; = 0.001), stepping forward ( = 2.62; = 0.001), stepping laterally ( = 2.39; = 0.001), sternal recumbency ( = 2.64; = 0.001), yawning ( = 2.69; = 0.001), non-nutritive chewing ( = 2.49; = 0.001), and closing eyes ( = 2.71; = 0.001). These behaviours may be candidates for indicators that can be used to determine the affective state in horses and subsequently be used to assess equine quality of life and to optimise individual horse welfare.
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Publication Date: 2023-03-15 PubMed ID: 36978606PubMed Central: PMC10044549DOI: 10.3390/ani13061065Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

This study investigates how different stabling routines (day-stabling and night-stabling) affect the behaviour of horses and how these behaviours may indicate their emotional state, which is integral to assessing their welfare and quality of life.

Objective of the Study

  • The overall purpose of this research was to find reliable and objective behavioural indicators to determine a horse’s emotional (affective) state, which is crucial for assessing their welfare and quality of life.

Research Methodology

  • The study was conducted on ten adult horses exposed to two different stabling schedules over two consecutive 24-hour periods: day-stabling (DS) and night-stabling (NS).
  • The researchers thoroughly observed and recorded the behaviours of the horses during these two periods, focusing on certain behaviours that were believed to potentially indicate the horses’ affective state.

Key Research Findings

  • Horses under the night-stabling schedule were kept confined for a significantly longer period than those under day-stabling.
  • Eight behaviours were observed significantly more often during night-stabling than day-stabling. These were: forward ears, neutral ears, stepping forward, stepping laterally, sternal recumbency, yawning, non-nutritive chewing, and closing eyes.
  • The increased occurrence of these behaviours during extended confinement (night-stabling) suggests that they may be linked to the horse’s emotional state.

Study’s Impact

  • The behaviours identified in this study could act as potential indicators for assessing a horse’s emotional state.
  • This information is valuable because it allows for the potential development of better practices and guidelines to improve the welfare and quality of life of stabled horses.
  • Further research is necessary, however, to validate the study’s results and construct a more comprehensive understanding of how confinement affects a horse’s emotional state.

Cite This Article

APA
Bradshaw-Wiley E, Randle H. (2023). The Effect of Stabling Routines on Potential Behavioural Indicators of Affective State in Horses and Their Use in Assessing Quality of Life. Animals (Basel), 13(6), 1065. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13061065

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 6
PII: 1065

Researcher Affiliations

Bradshaw-Wiley, Ella
  • School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia.
Randle, Hayley
  • School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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