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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(6); 1094; doi: 10.3390/ani10061094

Welfare of Free-Roaming Horses: 70 Years of Experience with Konik Polski Breeding in Poland.

Abstract: To prevent abuse and to assure the welfare of domestic horses, attempts to assess welfare in a standardized way have been made. Welfare-assessment tools often refer to the physical and social environments of feral domestic horses as examples of welfare-friendly conditions for horses. However, free-roaming horses are often exposed to conditions or states that may be regarded as welfare threats or abuse. The aim of this review was to present cases of welfare compromises as well as natural ways to restore high standards of welfare to Konik polski horses (Koniks) living in semiferal conditions in a forest sanctuary over the course of 70 years. Welfare problems in Koniks related to feeding, locomotor, social, reproductive, and comfort behavior, as well as health issues concerning hoof trimming and parasitism in Koniks, are discussed. Periodic food scarcity or abundance, stressful events around weaning and gathering, the consequences of fights among stallions, exposure to sire aggression during dispersal, lameness during "self-trimming," exposure to insect harassment, high levels of parasitism, and specific landscape formations may endanger free-roaming horses. It has to be underlined that despite the excellent adaptability of horses to free-roaming conditions, one should be aware that welfare problems are to be expected in any semiferal population. Here, we present the management system applied for 70 years in free-roaming Konik polski horses that minimizes welfare threats. It allows close follow-up of individual horses, the strict monitoring of health and welfare on a daily basis, and if necessary, instant reactions from caretakers in cases of emergency. Moreover, it addresses the problem of starvation due to overgrazing and thus, the ethical controversy related to the eradication of surplus animals causing environmental damage.
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Publication Date: 2020-06-24 PubMed ID: 32599935PubMed Central: PMC7341202DOI: 10.3390/ani10061094Google 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.

This research aims to assess the living conditions and welfare concerns of Konik Polski horses (Koniks) that have been living semi-wild in a forest sanctuary in Poland for over 70 years. It identifies and discusses welfare problems related to feeding, mobility, social behavior, reproduction, and health, including hoof trimming and parasitism. The study suggests strategies for addressing these problems and emphasizes regular health monitoring and timely interventions.

Introduction to Konik Polski Horses and their Welfare Issues

  • The article focuses on the welfare of a particular breed of semi-wild horses in Poland known as Konik Polski horses (Koniks).
  • These horses have been living in a forest sanctuary for over 70 years, primarily free-roaming under prevailing environmental conditions.
  • Despite the horses’ successful adaptation to these conditions, several welfare breaches stemming from their feeding, movement, social behavior, reproduction, and health status have been identified.

Specific Welfare Problems Found

  • Issues included periodic food scarcity or abundance, stressful events related to weaning and gathering, consequences of fights among stallions, exposure to sire aggression during dispersal, lameness during “self-trimming,” exposure to insect harassment, and high levels of parasitism.
  • The research also mentioned potential dangers posed by specific landscape formations to the free-roaming horses.

Management System Applied

  • The research involved a 70-year evaluation of the management system applied to the Koniks. This system focuses on addressing welfare problems by ensuring the horses’ close monitoring and prompt treatment in emergencies.
  • This system has been useful in tackling health issues and welfare threats associated with the horses’ semi-feral lifestyle.
  • It emphasizes the importance of monitoring the horses’ feeding patterns and health daily to detect early signs of problems, allowing for quick intervention when necessary.

Eradication of Surplus Animals

  • The study touches on the ethical ramifications of eradicating surplus horses that might be causing environmental damage due to overgrazing.
  • The authors argue that the careful management and monitoring of the horse population can help prevent overgrazing, subsequently reducing the need for such radical measures.

The study reiterates that although horses are resilient and adaptable animals, free-roaming populations in semi-feral conditions may still encounter significant welfare problems. Consequently, regular monitoring and intervention are required to ensure their well-being.

Cite This Article

APA
Górecka-Bruzda A, Jaworski Z, Jaworska J, Siemieniuch M. (2020). Welfare of Free-Roaming Horses: 70 Years of Experience with Konik Polski Breeding in Poland. Animals (Basel), 10(6), 1094. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10061094

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 6
PII: 1094

Researcher Affiliations

Górecka-Bruzda, Aleksandra
  • Department of Animal Behaviour, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-552 Jastrzębiec, Poland.
Jaworski, Zbigniew
  • Department of Horse Breeding and Riding, Faculty of Animal Bioengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland.
Jaworska, Joanna
  • Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-243 Olsztyn, Poland.
Siemieniuch, Marta
  • Department of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-243 Olsztyn, Poland.
  • The Research Station of the IARF PAS in Popielno, 12-222 Ruciane-Nida, Poland;.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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