Competition Horses Housed in Single Stalls (I): Behavior and Activity Patterns during Free Exercise According to Its Configuration

Abstract

Although welfare of animals has become more important, housing horses in systems that limit natural behavior patterns is still widespread. Single stalls are the predominant housing system in Germany, especially for competition horses. Free exercise on fields or paddocks helps to improve welfare for the animals, but allowing it is not taken for granted by many horse keepers. In the present study, three common management practices were investigated with regard to their effect on the behavior of six competition horses housed in single stalls: 2-hour turnout after training in groups of two horses (group turnout [GT]), solitary turnout (ST) after training for 2 hours, and no turnout (NT) in addition to training. The aim of the study was to determine the differences in the horses’ behavior during turnout, training, and in the stable caused by the treatments. This article focuses on the behavior and activity patterns during turnout. The horses’ behavior was observed directly by the scan sampling method (5-minute interval), and the distance covered during turnout was measured by global positioning system devices. During turnout, the horses spent most of the time eating. After 1 hour of being turned out, eating decreased, and occupation, locomotion, and social interaction increased. When turnout was allowed in groups (GT), the horses spent more time in social interactions and less time walking and trotting than in ST. Therefore, they also covered a greater distance in ST than in GT. The distance covered in ST also showed a greater deviation both within and between days compared with GT.