Time-Budget and Welfare Indicators of Stabled Horses in Three Different Stall Architectures: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The study examines how three different stall designs for horses influence their behavior, stress levels, and overall well-being. The findings suggest that while one type of stall facilitated more social interaction, the overall design of these stables didn’t significantly influence abnormal behaviors or stress indicators.

Research Methodology

• Three different stall types were created to test the effects of different architectures on the behavior and well-being of stabled horses. These were B1, involving tactile contact between horses, B2, allowing visual contact and outside view, and B3, featuring visual contact and outside view.
• A random selection of horses from each stall type was filmed for 24 hours, with the footage used to identify behaviors and activities. Further, from each stall type, a number of horses were chosen for blood samples to give information on stress levels indicated through cortisol levels, cortisol circadian rhythm (CCR), white blood cells (WBC), and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio.
• Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test, which are common methods used for comparing means between groups.

Key Findings

• The B1 stall type encouraged more social interaction amongst horses, consuming about 2.77% of the horses’ time. However, the architecture of the stalls did not seem to influence significant differences in overall behavior or stress levels, with all horses showing abnormal and stereotypic behaviors (ASB), which accounted for 21.10% of the horses’ time.
• The horses spent a relatively low proportion of their time (around 14.31%) eating. This could suggest an issue with food availability or accessibility, or it might indicate that the horses were not mobile or active enough to stimulate hunger.
• A quarter of the horses had low white blood cell counts, implying a potential weaken immune system. 38% of the horses showed high cortisol levels, an indicator of stress. 29% of the horses had an altered cortisol circadian rhythm, indicating disruption in their daily stress and rest patterns.
• In combination, these physiological readings show that the horses were likely in a state of chronic stress. The prevalence of ASBs across all stables further supports this.

Implications

• Despite the attempt to introduce variations in the stall design, such as additional visual and tactile interactions, the study found that the horses endured chronic stress across all stall architectures. It suggests the need for a more in-depth look into other aspects of welfare such as social environment, feeding schedules, and daily routines which might improve the conditions for stabled horses.
• With a significant proportion of horses exhibiting signs of chronic stress and abnormal behaviors, the study highlights the importance of continual monitoring and evaluation of horses’ well-being, given the already known health implications of chronic stress in these animals.