Validation of triaxial accelerometers to measure the lying behaviour of adult domestic horses.

The research studied the effectiveness of using triaxial accelerometers to track the lying behaviour of adult domestic horses. They found that these accelerometers were valid and reliable for monitoring how often and how long horses lay down.

Research Aim and Methodology

• The research aimed to validate the use of triaxial accelerometers to study the lying behaviour of adult horses. Previously, these devices had only been validated for the study of dairy cattle behaviour.
• The study used Onset Pendant G data loggers, a type of triaxial accelerometers, attached to the hind limbs of two mature Standardbred horses over a period of five days.
• The data loggers were set to record their position every 20 seconds.
• To verify the results, the researchers compared the accelerometer data with live observations during the day and video recordings at night.

Research Findings

• All episodes of horses lying down occurred during the night, with each horse having three to five lying bouts per night.
• The researchers processed the data collected from the loggers using a macro program to calculate the number of bouts and the duration each animal spent lying down.
• A paired t-test showed no significant difference between the readings from the video observations and the data loggers, confirming the accuracy of the devices.
• However, the data loggers couldn’t differentiate between standing hipshot (a relaxed standing position with weight off one hind foot) from a standing square position.
• The predictability, sensitivity, and specificity of the data loggers were all over 99%, indicating their high reliability.

Research Conclusion

• The study concluded that Onset Pendant G data loggers could be effectively used to quantify the frequency and duration of standing and lying bouts in adult horses when set to register readings at 20-second intervals.
• The results could have implications in animal welfare research, as these devices allow for continuous monitoring of animal behaviour without the need for constant live observations or video recordings.