An investigation into the texture preferences of horses using novel objects

Abstract

The majority of horses in the U.K. are confined to a stable at some point in their life. If the environment of an individual is unacceptable, abnormal behaviours can result as the horse's way of coping. This could potentially decrease the welfare of the individual due to reduced health caused by the performance of locomotor and, or, oral stereotypies (Nicol 1999, Waterset al., 2002, Garrett 2002). Studies have shown the stable environment (and the management methods usually associated with it) to frequently affect the time budgets of horses in a way consistent with lack of stimulation (Young, 2003). Many products claim to provide the horse with stimulation and so reduce ‘boredom’. The effectiviness of these products remains uncertain although some studies have shown changes to time budgets on their addition to the stable environment (Winskillet al., 1996; Henderson and Waran, 2001). However, little research has been done, on what qualities these objects should possess.