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Home / Equine Research Bank / Front Vet Sci / Which animal-to-feeding-place ratio at time-controlled hay r...
Frontiers in veterinary science2023; 9; 1005102; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1005102

Which animal-to-feeding-place ratio at time-controlled hay racks is animal appropriate? Preliminary analysis of stress responses of horses.

Abstract: Automated feeding systems offer numerous advantages for animals and humans, but the associated benefits and risks can often only be seen under practical conditions. The space allowance (~80 cm per horse) at time-controlled hay racks for horses in group housing, unlike at partitioned feeding stands or transponder-controlled feed stations, currently falls below the required individual distance between the horses, which can result in a high level of aggression between the horses due to the lack of partitions between them. Hence, a feed-through at a time-controlled hay rack cannot be equated with a feeding place. In this preliminary study, we therefore aimed to determine the minimum animal-to-feeding-place ratio (AFR) at time-controlled hay racks that would provide adequate individual distances between the horses. Unassigned: To do so, we assessed behavioral and physiological parameters (via video behavioral observations and salivary cortisol measurements) of up to 28 horses in a loose housing system. Over 2 observation days per treatment, four AFRs were investigated in a balanced sequence: 1:1.2, 1:2, 1:3, and C (single feeding in familiar surroundings as a control). Unassigned: We found that the horses expressed less aggressive behavior, especially those behaviors with a high risk of injury such as biting and kicking, when there were three times as many openings as there were horses at time-controlled hay racks, as compared with only 20% more openings or twice as many openings as there were horses [lineal mixed model: = 7.411; adjusted = 0.733; = 0.06, = 0.02, = 0.01]. The salivary cortisol levels during feeding decreased more strongly with more generous AFRs [ = 0.02]. The factors hierarchy and individual showed no influence. In contrast, the day of the experiment and the associated weather conditions, despite randomized selection, influenced both the behavioral and the physiological parameters. Unassigned: The results of this preliminary study indicate that the investigated time-controlled hay racks must provide at least three times as many feeding places as there are horses to ensure that neighboring horses can keep their individual distance and stress-free feeding is possible. Further studies on more farms and different types as well as arrangement of hay racks are proposed.
Copyright © 2023 Baumgartner, Erhard and Zeitler-Feicht.
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Publication Date: 2023-01-09 PubMed ID: 36699339PubMed Central: PMC9868146DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1005102Google 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 article explores the optimal animal-to-feeding-place ratio in time-controlled hay racks for horses to minimize stress and aggression. The preliminary study found that providing a feeding place for each horse and two additional openings significantly decreased aggressive behaviors and stress levels.

Study Setup

  • The researchers aimed to determine the optimal animal-to-feeding-place ratio (AFR) that would maintain adequate space between horses and thus lower aggression and stress levels. This was in response to the insufficient space at hay racks that led to an increase in horse aggression due to the lack of individual partitions.
  • The experiment involved videotaping and measuring salivary cortisol levels of up to 28 horses in a loose housing system. The cortisol levels were used as an indication of the horses’ stress levels.
  • Over two separate observation days, four AFRs were investigated, including a single horse in familiar surroundings as a control. The AFRs examined ranged from a lower ratio (1:1.2) to a higher ratio (1:3).

Key Findings

  • Horses expressed less aggressive behavior, especially those behaviors with a high risk of injury such as biting and kicking, when there were three times as many openings at the hay racks compared to the number of horses. This contrasted with conditions where there were only 20% more openings or twice as many openings as horses.
  • Horses’ salivary cortisol levels were lower when more generous AFRs were provided, suggesting less perceived stress during feeding.
  • The hierarchy among horses and individual differences had no observable influence on the horses’ behaviors or cortisol levels.
  • The day of the experiment and the corresponding weather conditions, despite being selected at random, impacted both behavioral and physiological responses of the horses.

Significance

  • This preliminary study highlights the importance of providing at least three times as many feeding places as there are horses in group housing situations, indicating that this can promote stress-free feeding and healthy behavioral interactions.
  • While the study provides valuable initial insights, more research is proposed on different farms and various types and arrangements of hay racks to fully understand and verify these findings.

Cite This Article

APA
Baumgartner M, Erhard MH, Zeitler-Feicht MH. (2023). Which animal-to-feeding-place ratio at time-controlled hay racks is animal appropriate? Preliminary analysis of stress responses of horses. Front Vet Sci, 9, 1005102. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.1005102

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 9
Pages: 1005102
PII: 1005102

Researcher Affiliations

Baumgartner, Miriam
  • Agroscope, Swiss National Stud Farm, SNSTF, Avenches, Switzerland.
Erhard, Michael H
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Hygiene and Animal Husbandry, Chair of Animal Welfare, Ethology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.
Zeitler-Feicht, Margit H
  • Ethology, Animal Husbandries and Animal Welfare Research Group, Chair of Organic Agriculture and Agronomy, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
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