Behaviour Of Horses Research Articles

Evaluations of Morphometric Traits and Body Conformation Indices of Horse Ecotypes Reared in the Highlands of Bale Eco-Region, Ethiopia.

Morphometric traits discrepancies are associated with production, reproduction, adaptation and behaviours in horses. It also determines the design of harnessing implements, physical injury level and working performance of the native horses. Thus, the study was conducted to evaluate morphometric traits and body conformation indices of horse ecotypes reared across four districts of Bale Zone, Ethiopia. Data of croup height, croup length, hip height, mid-back height, wither height, hip width, thoracic depth, chest width, body length, sternum height, thorax perimeter and cannon perimeter were measured in 500 horses (294 male and 206 female). Using those traits, 17 body conformation indices were calculated to define the horses for multi-faceted performances. The study revealed that croup height, hip height, wither height, hip width, croup length, body length, thorax perimeter and sternum height were significantly (p < 0.0001) different among the studied districts. The district effect was also significant at p < 0.05 for mid-back height, thoracic depth, chest width and cannon perimeter. The sexual dimorphism effect was statistically significant for all measured traits; however, females were inferior to males except for cannon perimeter. Body conformation indices of pelvic index, body index, transversal pelvic index and weight were highly significant (p < 0.0001) among the studied districts. The sex dimorphism effect was significant (p < 0.001) for dactyl-costal index, pelvic index, longitudinal pelvic index, transversal pelvic index, weight, tare index 1 (trot or gallop), tare index 2 (walk) and riding comfort degree, while non-significant (p > 0.05) for the remaining indices. The studied horses were classified as mediline, elipometric, light, small and suitable riding ecotypes with a medium-conforming body structure and good capacity for carrying loads on carts and backs for functional effectiveness. The correlations of body conformation indices ranged from very high to low, with positive and negative associations for functional capabilities. Therefore, selection for improvement needs to rank morphometric traits and body conformation indices in correlation to developing racing and modern sport horses in the highlands of the Bale eco-regions. Further, molecular studies will be essential to determine whether the predominated phenotypic multiplicity is genetic or environmentally progressed.

Intake, digestibility, and behavior of horses fed açaí kernel (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) as a substitute of Mombaça grass (Megathyrsus maximus).

In this study, we analyzed the effects of including açaí kernel, in the experimental diets fed to horses on the intake and digestibility of their nutrient and the resultant effects on the behavior of horses. The experiments were conducted in Federal Rural University of Amazonia. Five mares with no defined breeds, were allocated to five treatments (the replacement of Mombaça grass (Megathyrsus maximus) with crushed açaí kernel at 0, 18.75, 37.50, 56.25, and 75% levels of dry matter), in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The animals were housed in covered stalls with concrete floors, equipped with individual troughs and drinkers, and fed 80% roughage and 20% concentrate. The inclusion of açaí kernel altered the intake and digestibility of a few nutritional components and the feeding behavior of mares. Increasing levels of the substitution of Mombaça grass with crushed açaí kernel in the experimental diets increased the nutrient intake and digestibility of neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, and non-fibrous carbohydrates (P < 0.05) while reducing the time spent on feeding by the animals. Crushed açaí kernel can, therefore, be included as a substitute for Mombaça grass at up to 37.5% in equine diets.

Influence of Loading Density and Gender on the Welfare and Meat Quality of Horses During Transport for Slaughter

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of loading density and gender on blood welfare indicators, carcass bruises and horsemeat quality. Data were collected from twelve transports of 89 slaughter horses originating from the same collection centre. The transportation of slaughter horses at high loading densities (&gt;200 kg/m2), especially stallions, resulted in increased levels of lactate (p = 0.021), glucose (p &lt; 0.0001), ceruloplasmin (p &lt; 0.0001) and AOPP (p &lt; 0.0001), but lower GSH levels (p &lt; 0.0001). Compared to stallions and mares, geldings subjected to high loading density (&gt;200 kg/m2) during transport had lower levels of the aforementioned blood metabolites. In addition, stallions exposed to a high load density (&gt;200 kg/m2) had the highest frequency of severe (p = 0.0002), large (p &lt; 0.0001) and circular (p = 0.0001) carcass bruises, which were predominantly located on the abdominal (p = 0.0056) and thoracic (p = 0.0004) wall. In contrast, a higher percentage (p &lt; 0.0001) of undamaged carcasses was found in slaughter horses exposed to a low loading density (≤200 kg/m2) during transport. Stallions exposed to high loading densities (&gt;200 kg/m2) during transport had the highest initial pH (p &lt; 0.0001) and ultimate pH (p = 0.005) in terms of m. longissimus lumborum and redness (p = 0.017), but the lowest drip loss (p = 0.050) and lightness (p &lt; 0.0001), which, consequently, led to the highest (p = 0.0045) proportion of DFD-like defects in the meat quality. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that high loading densities (&gt;200 kg/m2), regardless of gender, negatively affect horse welfare during transport. In addition, stallions were more sensitive to poor pre-slaughter conditions and produced the lowest meat quality, while geldings were the most resistant. To determine the optimal transport density, further research is needed to determine the effects of different loading densities on the behaviour, physiology, carcass and meat quality of slaughter horses.

How should one design and position straw feeders in group-housed horses? A case study on occupancy and agonistic interactions at straw feeders in a large group of horses

As group housing of horses can be associated with increased injury risk especially when there are limited resources, the aim of this study was to allow initial, scientifically based recommendations regarding the positioning and design of straw feeders. Data collection took place in a Hinrichs Innovation + Technik (HIT) active stable with 50–62 horses kept in one single group. Occupancy, feeding distances, prevalence of agonistic interactions (AIS) as well as the percentage of feeding disturbances at two different straw feeders were analysed. Equine behaviour was recorded for 6 h/day on 15 summer and 15 winter days. Using generalised linear mixed models, considering the fixed effects of feeder, a fresh straw supply and the interaction of observation day and time period delivered the best prediction for the number of feeding events/h and the prevalence of AIS/h. Here, both feeders differed (p < 0.05) with twice as many feeding events/h, but threefold more AIS/h respectively twice as many AIS/horse at the larger feeder, where conspecifics fed side by side. Sixty-five % of the AIS with low risk of injury and 92 % of the AIS with high risk of injury led to feeding disturbances. The latter made up 25 % of all AIS in total with no differences between both feeders. Feeding distances did not differ either. The horses tended to use only every third opening space when feeding simultaneously. This knowledge should be taken into account when making assumptions about the de facto animal:feeding place ratio and the design of straw feeders in the future. Moreover, regarding the smaller feeder, the horses preferred to feed simultaneously with the feeder edge between them, so that the actual animal distances were smaller. Additional research is needed to investigate, how feeding in rectangular position to each other influences threatening behaviour inside a feeder. In this study, a central positioning within a paddock was beneficial with respect to feeder usage, but disadvantageous regarding AIS and displacements. However, the investigation of further straw feeders and farms is essential to allow general statements, as the study also proves that many factors such as season and rank order stability potentially influence equine behaviour at straw feeders.

Rewilded horses in European nature conservation - a genetics, ethics, and welfare perspective.

In recent decades, the integration of horses (Equus ferus) in European rewilding initiatives has gained widespread popularity due to their potential for regulating vegetation and restoring natural ecosystems. However, employing horses in conservation efforts presents important challenges, which we here explore and discuss. These challenges encompass the lack of consensus on key terms inherent to conservation and rewilding, the entrenched culture and strong emotions associated with horses, low genetic diversity and high susceptibility to hereditary diseases in animals under human selection, as well as insufficient consideration for the social behaviour of horses in wild-living populations. In addition, management of wild-living horses involves intricate welfare, ethics and legislative dimensions. Anthropocentric population-control initiatives may be detrimental to horse group structures since they tend to prioritise individual welfare over the health of populations and ecosystems. To overcome these challenges, we provide comprehensive recommendations. These involve a systematic acquisition of genetic information, a focus on genetic diversity rather than breed purity and minimal veterinary intervention in wild-living populations. Further, we advise allowing for natural top-down and bottom-up control - or, if impossible, simulating this by culling or non-lethal removal of horses - instead of using fertility control for population management. We advocate for intensified collaboration between conservation biologists and practitioners and enhanced communication with the general public. Decision-making should be informed by a thorough understanding of the genetic makeup, common health issues and dynamics, and social behaviour in wild-living horse populations. Such a holistic approach is essential to reconcile human emotions associated with horses with the implementation of conservation practices that are not only effective but also sustainable for the long-term viability of functional, biodiverse ecosystems, while rehabilitating the horse as a widespread wild-living species in Europe.

Characteristics of equestrian accidents and injuries leading to permanent medical impairment

BackgroundEquestrian sports, also referred to as equestrianism, is practiced all over the world and a popular leisure activity in Sweden. Equestrianism is the country’s second-largest youth sport, and previous studies indicate that accidents are common in equestrianism. However, few previous studies have examined acute equestrian injuries leading to permanent medical impairment (PMI).MethodsBy using nationwide insurance data comprising all injured equestrians registered in the Swedish Equestrian Federation, the aim was to analyse characteristics of equestrian accidents and particularly injuries leading to PMI, both in general and by age, gender, incident type, injury type and injured body region. Injury incidence and injuries leading to PMI were examined. All equestrians injured during 2017–2021 were included (n = 6,876), however, only injuries occurring in 2017 and 2018 were used to analyse the risk and the injury distribution of injuries leading to PMI. Injury incidence was calculated separately for males and females, as well as for different age groups, by dividing the number of insurance claims by the number of members multiplied by 1,000. Risk Ratio (RR) was calculated between gender. Pearson’s chi-squared test was used to analyse differences in distribution for categorical variables.ResultsThe majority of injuries affected females, correlating to approximately three times higher risk, compared to males. The age group 21–40 years were associated with the highest injury risk (14.26/1,000 registered riders). In total 12% of all injuries led to PMI. Injuries to the upper and lower extremities, along with fractures, had a higher risk of resulting in a PMI. The risk of injury leading to PMI was higher among riders over 20 years of age.ConclusionsThe fact that females face nearly three times the injury risk of males, and riders aged 21–40 had the highest injury risk while younger riders (Luke KL, McAdie T, Smith BP, Warren-Smith AK. New insights into ridden horse behaviour, horse welfare and horse-related safety. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2022;246:105539.); (Havlik HS. Equestrian sport-related injuries: a review of current literature. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2010;9(5):299–302.); (Samuels K, Bettis A, Davenport DL, Bernard AC. Occupational vs. non-occupational equestrians: Differences in demographics and injury patterns. Injury. 2022;53(1):171–5.); (Gharooni A-A, Anwar F, Ramdeep R, Mee H. Severe equestrian injuries: A seven-year review of admissions to a UK major trauma centre. Trauma. 2023;25(1):41–7.); (Hasler RM, Gyssler L, Benneker L, Martinolli L, Schotzau A, Zimmermann H, et al. Protective and risk factors in amateur equestrians and description of injury patterns: A retrospective data analysis and a case - control survey. J Trauma Manag Outcomes. 2011;5:4.); (Meredith L, Brolin K, Ekman R, Thomson R. Analyses of injuries to equestrians in a Swedish district over a 16-year period. Translational Sports Med. 2019;2:270–8.) had a lower risk, indicates that preventive efforts should target both older and female riders. Injuries predominantly resulting in PMI involve upper and lower extremities, however, to prevent the most serious injuries significantly affecting a rider’s daily life, measures preventing head and spinal cord neck injuries, must be implemented. Head injures remain the most frequent, serious and most significant group of injuries to prevent and mitigate, within equestrian sports.

Horse Owners' Knowledge of Fundamental Care and their Perceptions on the Implementation of a Mandatory Certificate of Knowledge.

The aims of this study were to first determine the extent of owners' fundamental knowledge of equine care, second, gain their opinions on the implementation of a mandatory certificate of knowledge and third, to investigate the association of certification on horse owner knowledge. An online survey comprising 23 questions (18 closed, 5 open) was distributed worldwide via snowball sampling, and completed by 1847 horse owners who were all ≥18 years old from 17 different countries. Almost all (96%, n = 1781) completed surveys were usable. Just over half (52%) of participants held a current equine knowledge certification, and 59% believed a mandatory certificate of knowledge should be necessary to buy, own, or sell a horse. Horse owners with an equine certificate of knowledge were more likely to be in favor of a mandatory certificate (Pearson's Chi-squared = 50.79, df = 1, p < 0.0001). The mean correctly answered knowledge questions was 68%, indicating that approximately 1/3 of horse owners lacked fundamental horse care knowledge. Further examination indicated that participating horse owners showed the least understanding in the behavioral interactions domain (ANOVA F(4, 24) = 4.98, p < 0.01), specifically in relation to pain recognition and learning theory terminology. Arguably, this deficit in knowledge and likely correct application increases the risk of owners using misinformed or inappropriate techniques to manage horse behavior and training, predisposing the horse to experiencing a sub-optimal quality of life. Overall no significant difference was found between the total correct scores of horse owners with or without a certificate (ANOVA F(1, 56) = 0.78, p > 0.05); however, a series of Chi-squared tests revealed that for the more complex questions, horse owners with a certificate scored better than those without (all p < 0.05). Further work is needed to develop an evidence-based assessment framework if mandatory certification of horse owners is to become an effective tool for improving horse welfare and quality of life.

Enhancing energy efficiency in distributed systems with hybrid energy storage

This paper presents a pioneering approach to enhance energy efficiency within distributed energy systems by integrating hybrid energy storage. Unlike prior research, our study focuses on synergizing two distinct energy storage systems while concurrently optimizing system configuration and operational strategies to enhance performance and reduce costs. The employed distributed energy system incorporates hybrid energy storage, merging thermal energy storage with power storage technologies such as supercapacitors and lithium batteries. We conduct a comprehensive investigation into the impact of this innovative system on distributed energy systems, employing a dual-objective cooperative optimization method that addresses energy efficiency and economic factors alongside environmental considerations. This approach is applied to an almost zero-energy community, demonstrating its efficacy in improving load profiles and optimizing energy management through demand-side management. Additionally, we incorporate stochastic energy management, renewable energy resource planning, and dynamic storage to account for uncertainties in energy sources and demand, utilizing the Two-Point Estimate Method (2P + E PEM). To address the complexity of the problem, we introduce an advanced multi-objective optimization algorithm, the Horse Herd Optimization Algorithm (HOA), inspired by the movement behavior of horses in a herd. This algorithm exhibits superior performance with various operators including elite selection and crossover. In conclusion, our contributions include the introduction of a distributed energy system with hybrid storage, a dual-objective cooperative optimization method, and the application of advanced algorithms. Our results demonstrate significant reductions, with primary energy consumption decreasing by nearly 54.8 % and equivalent pollutant emissions by 63.6 %, highlighting the significance and effectiveness of our proposed approach.

Determination of Equine Behaviour in Subjectively Non-Lame Ridden Sports Horses and Comparison with Lame Sports Horses Evaluated at Competitions.

The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE) was developed to facilitate the identification of musculoskeletal pain. The aim of the current study was to collate behavioural data using the RHpE from horses at competitions assumed by their owners and/or riders to be fit for competition. The objectives were to quantify the frequency of occurrence of behaviours in pain-free horses and those with lameness or abnormalities of canter and to determine any differences between disciplines and levels of competition. The RHpE was applied to 1358 horses competing in Grand Prix (GP) dressage (n = 211), 5* three-day events (TDE) (n = 137), or low-level one-day events (ODE) (n = 1010). The median RHpE score for all horses was 4 (interquartile range [IQR] 2, 5; range 0, 12) and the median lameness grade was 0 (IQR 0, 1; range 0, 4). The Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunn's test for pairwise comparisons, found a difference in median RHpE scores between low-level ODE and GP dressage (p = 0.001), but not between 5* TDE and low-level ODE (p = 0.09) or between GP dressage and 5* TDE (p = 1.00). The median RHpE score was highest for low-level ODE. The Chi-square/Fisher's exact test identified a significant difference in prevalence of most of the 24 behaviours of the RHpE in non-lame compared with lame horses. Recognition of the behaviours of non-lame horses may improve equine welfare and performance, and rider comfort, confidence, and safety.

PSIV-A-8 Effects of meal frequency on heart rate in horses

Abstract In humans, meal size has been shown to affect heart function with meal ingestion being associated with an increase in heart rate (HR) and cardiac output lasting significantly longer when larger meals are consumed. In horses, HR spikes at the sight of feed due to anticipation, but no studies have specifically evaluated the effect of meal frequency or size on HR. Heart rate has also been used as a measure both positive and negative stress. Domesticated horses are often meal fed, with small frequent meals requiring more labor than large infrequent meals. Fewer larger meals may have negative welfare implications for a grazing species. As part of a larger project investigating the effects of meal frequency on the behavior and metabolism of horses, the objective of this study was to evaluate equine HR in response to feeding frequencies commonly practiced in the field [once (1x), twice (2x), or thrice (3x) per day]. Feeding times were at 0800 (1x, 2x, and 3x), 1300 (3x), and 1800 (2x and 3x) h. The 12 adult clinically healthy horses [average ± SD; 14 ± 6 yr and 572 ± 32 kg body weight (BW)] were separated into two equal groups before completing a 14-d acclimation period to the diet during which they were fed 2x. The diet was provided at 2% BW on a dry matter (DM) basis (1.55% BW grass hay in a slow feed hay net plus 0.45% BW complementary fortified feed). During the study the same diet was fed but the meal frequency, and therefore meal size, differed between the treatments. The order of treatments, lasting 1 wk each, was decided at random for each group. On d 6 of each treatment HR was measured using individual H10 Polar HR monitors, which recorded every second from 0700 to 1900 h yielding 1,514,799 data points. During this time the aisleways housing the stalled horses were blocked off to minimize exposure to human presence other than at feeding time(s). After removing outliers, the mode was calculated for HR of each horse, which was considered to be the resting HR for that horse and ranged from 31 to 46 beats/min. The percentage of data above, below, or at the mode was calculated for each horse over the 12 h period and evaluated using Chi Square tests for statistical significance. The proportion of HR values above, below, or at the mode differed between treatments (P = 0.02). When fed 1x, 69 ± 14% of the HR readings were above the mode on average, as compared with 42 ± 18% and 44 ± 18% for 2x and 3x, respectively. These results suggest that the increase in HR was more than anticipatory and that there may be sustained stress when horses are fed at fewer frequency, such as once daily.

Proximity tracking using ultra-wideband technology for equine social behaviour research

Sociopositive interactions with conspecifics are essential for equine welfare and quality of life. This study aimed to validate the use of wearable ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to quantify the spatial relationships and dynamics of social behaviour in horses by continuous (1/s) measurement of interindividual distances. After testing the UWB devices’ spatiotemporal accuracy in a static environment, the UWB measurement validity, feasibility and utility under dynamic field conditions was assessed in a group of 8 horses. Comparison of the proximity measurements with video surveillance data established the measurement accuracy and validity (r = 0.83, p < 0.0001) of the UWB technology. The utility for social behaviour research was demonstrated by the excellent accordance of affiliative relationships (preferred partners) identified using UWB with video observations. The horses remained a median of 5.82 m (95% CI 5.13–6.41 m) apart from each other and spent 20% (median, 95% CI 14–26%) of their time in a distance ≤ 3 m to their preferred partner. The proximity measurements and corresponding speed calculation allowed the identification of affiliative versus agonistic approaches based on differences in the approach speed and the distance and duration of the resulting proximity. Affiliative approaches were statistically significantly slower (median: 1.57 km/h, 95% CI 1.26–1.92 km/h, p = 0.0394) and resulted in greater proximity (median: 36.75 cm, 95% CI 19.5–62 cm, p = 0.0003) to the approached horse than agonistic approaches (median: 3.04 km/h, 95% CI 2.16–3.74 km/h, median proximity: 243 cm, 95% CI 130–319 cm), which caused an immediate retreat of the approached horse at a significantly greater speed (median: 3.77 km/h, 95% CI 3.52–5.85 km/h, p < 0.0001) than the approach.

Analysis of current methods and Welfare concerns in the transport of 118 horses by commercial air cargo companies

BackgroundStudies on equine air transport practices and consequences are scarce. This prospective study aimed to describe horse and air journey details and practices, document how horse behavior and health changed during the air transport phases, quantify the occurrence of welfare issues, and identify possible associations between horse and journey details, air transport practices, and welfare issues.ResultsData were collected from before departure to five days after arrival on 118/597 horses traveling on 32 commercial air journeys on different routes, varying in duration and conditions. Most horses were middle-aged warmblood females, 26% of which were pregnant, and being moved by air for sales. Before flying, most were quarantined (median: 18; IQR: 9–53 days), and their fitness for travel was certified by veterinarians. At the departure airports, external temperatures varied from − 6 °C to 33 °C, and horses were loaded by experienced flight grooms (median: 35; IQR: 15–40 years) into jet stalls (three-horse: 87%, two-horse: 13%). During the flights, horses were regularly watered (water intake median: 14 L) and fed ad libitum (feed consumption median: 8 kg). At the arrival airport, horses were unloaded from the jet stalls, and external temperatures ranged from − 5 °C to 32 °C. Then, all horses were transported to arrival quarantine by road. Air transport phases affected horses’ health status and behavior; increased heart and respiratory rates and behaviors, such as pawing, head tossing, and vocalization, were mainly identified at departure and arrival. Horse interaction, nasal discharge, increased capillary refill time (CRT), and abnormal demeanor were observed more often one hour before landing while resting and normal capillary refill time were more often displayed five days after arrival (all P < 0.01). One hour before landing, horses with bad temperament and horses of unknown temperament were more likely to develop nasal discharge when transported in winter and autumn (P < 0.001). The likelihood of an increased CRT was associated with shorter flights in horses of unknown travel experience (P < 0.001). Ten horses were injured, and 11 developed pleuropneumonias (i.e., shipping fever).ConclusionsAir transport is a complex procedure with several different phases affecting horse health and behavior. Therefore, experienced staff should carefully manage each horse before, during, and after air journeys to minimize welfare hazards.

A Preliminary Study on the Investigation of Learning Ability of Arabian Horses Through

Knowing the behavioural responses of horses while planning the training processes is crucial in constituting the appropriate training program. The purpose of the study was to examine some behavioural and physiological responses of Arabian horses participating in flat races against the reactivity to human and fear tests. Within the scope of this study, 15 female Arabian horses aged between 2 and 8 years were subjected to reactivity to passive human test, reactivity to active human test, and handling tests from reactivity to human tests and the novel surface test, the static novel object test, and the startling novel object tests from fear tests. Significant relationships (P&amp;lt;0.05) were detected between the agonistic behaviours of horses and maximum heart rate values in the passive human test, active human test, static novel object test, and startling novel object test. Active human test, it was determined that as the agonistic behaviours of horses increased, the distance to approach humans increased (P&amp;lt;0.05). The novel surface test observed that as the horses' agonistic behaviours increased, the number of attempts to cross the surface successfully also increased (P&amp;lt;0.01). In the handling test, increased agonistic behaviours caused the test time to prolong (P&amp;lt;0.01). As a result, it was determined that various processes in training were prolonged in horses with high agonistic behaviours during the tests. It has also been determined that the trainability of horses may differ within the same breed and sex. For this reason, it is recommended to determine behavioural responses and to plan horse training individually. By understanding the trainability of horses, it is possible to achieve maximum efficiency for their benefit.

Initial Impact of Different Feeding Methods on Feed Intake Time in Stabled Icelandic Horses.

The natural behaviour of horses is to spend the majority of their time on feed intake The feeding of stabled horses is, however, often far from that, as their feed intake is limited to their nutritional requirements. In order to approach their natural foraging time, it is important to extend the feed intake time of stabled horses. The aim of this study was to estimate if the feed intake time differs when feeding haylage in a haynet, hayball, metal corner manger, or from the box floor. The experimental design consisted of a Latin square, occurred across four days with four adult Icelandic horses and four treatments. Horses were stabled in individual boxes and fed 7 kg of high-energy haylage in two even meals while the intake time was recorded. The feed intake time per kg DM was shorter from the manger or the box floor than from a haynet or hayball (81 or 85 min versus 94 or 96 min; p < 0.05). It can be concluded that feeding haylage in a hayball or in a haynet can increase the feed intake time by 13% per day (12 min/kg DM/day) when compared to the more traditional methods. Thus, with simple alternatives, it is possible to extend the feed intake time of stabled horses.

Video Ethogram of Equine Social Behaviour.

Equine social behaviour studies face challenges stemming from the absence of a comprehensive ethogram with unequivocal standardised definitions and the resulting limits to data comparison across studies. To address these constraints, this ethogram offers researchers a standardised framework, defining thirty-seven distinct equine social behaviours supplemented by video examples for enhanced clarity. These definitions amalgamate insights from existing ethograms and are fine-tuned through meticulous video observations, encompassing contextual cues such as distinguishing between aggressive and playful circling based on ear position and facial expressions and communicative nuances to provide a detailed representation of equine social behaviours. Video recordings complement the standardised definitions by capturing the dynamic flow and sequence of social interactions. By providing a dynamic and detailed representation, videos allow researchers to observe the temporal aspects of behaviour, including the sequence, duration, and rhythm of interactions. These detailed data are crucial for interpreting social behaviours and unravelling the complexities of equine societies. Standardized and video-illustrated definitions of equine social behaviour facilitate clear and consistent communication between researchers, enabling cross-study comparisons regarding the impact of husbandry practices and health conditions on equine social behaviour, which, in turn, can facilitate the assessment and optimisation of management practices and equine welfare.

A Preliminary Assessment of Equine Affect in Equine-Assisted Services

ABSTRACT Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) involve health services and adaptive recreation that include equine interactions to promote human wellbeing. While research around the human health outcomes of EAS has grown considerably, there has been limited exploration into the impact of such services on a key service provider, the horse. This study evaluated whether there is variation in how EAS horses experience different types of unmounted interactions with humans. To answer this question, we utilized a mixed method, repeated measures experiment in which 56 human participants and 14 horses, working at a 1:1 ratio, completed a series of three interactions common to EAS: a grooming, a leading, and a maze condition. To measure equine affect, we recorded heart rate variability (HRV) continuously, took eye temperature (ET) immediately after each interaction, and recorded horse behavior. A mixed effects model indicated that horses displayed greater sympathetic activation in the grooming condition than the leading via Low Frequency/High Frequency Ratio (LF:HF: p < 0.001; ET: p = 0.003) and maze conditions (LF:HF: p = 0.005; ET: p < 0.001). Horses also showed significantly more stress-associated behaviors, such as elevated head carriage and pawing, in the grooming condition. These results indicate that there is potential for equine stress during a grooming activity; therefore, more research is needed to determine optimal approaches for addressing horse welfare in unmounted EAS activities involving human interaction.

Wild Horse Optimizer and Support Vector Machine (SVM) Classifier Predicts The Heart Disease Converging Nature-Motivated Optimization and Machine Learning

Background: As one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, the diagnosis of acute cardiovascular disease (acute CVD) in emergency settings remains a significant challenge. Machine learning (ML) is artificial intelligence that allows computer programs to learn from and analyze large data sets without human intervention. As a diagnostic tool, ML presents numerous advantages, such as convenience, speed, and affordability. Methods: This research utilized a new model for predicting heart disease for feature selection(Wild Horse Optimizer, WHO) and another classification model (Support Vector Machine, SVM). In the WHO algorithm, like envisioning social behaviors of wild horses, we observe that wild horses display diverse behaviors like leading, grazing, moving, mating and chase. One odd behavior about wild horses is that young foals will break away from the herd to avoid the breed in its related herd before reaching maturity. It defines the decencies of the horses. Discussion: Multiple ML techniques were employed to train classifiers using the Cleveland heart disease dataset after conducting feature selection using WHO algorithm. The performance of these models was evaluated based on different parameters like Sensitivity, Accuracy, Specificity, and AUC. The SVM classifier model trained using the WHO approach proved better than the existing methods. In the research, we proposed a Wild Horse Optimization algorithm to optimize the features for Heart Disease prediction. After feature optimization, the optimized dataset is then given to Support Vector machine classification, which performs the classification of heart disease. After evaluating different experimental results, authors conclude that combining this feature selection algorithm and SVM as a classifier for forecasting heart disease is very effective. With the help of this approach, we can improve the early detection of heart disease and effectively manage severe heart disease. The experimental result graph shows an increased accuracy rate of the spectra feature subject.

The effects of pressure and release training on equine behavior and discipline

In America, there are over 100,000 horse-related injuries per year (Mendell, 2006). It is important that all horses are properly trained to avoid dangerous accidents resulting from poor training involving the horse, rider, or spectators. This study aims to understand how a person should approach properly training a horse. It determines what training methods are the most effective and why it is important that owners understand how horses process discipline. Previous research indicates the common need for pressure, but fails to explore it as a training method. As such, a definite answer that explains how Pressure and Release Training affects equine behavior and discipline has not been determined. A physical experiment collecting and analyzing quantitative data was conducted in order to obtain the most accurate and specific results. Horses of various breeds, ages, sexes, and training levels were subjected to five different Pressure and Release Training exercises and scored on their completion (attempt &gt; accuracy). Each horse was tested twice on separate days to ensure replicability. All horses completed every exercise successfully without conflict behaviors or refusal (50/50). The experiment reveals that regardless of traits, Pressure and Release Training is an effective training method that horses understand even without previously consistent training. However, it is vital that trainers understand how horses process discipline so that they know if the training is effective and low stress for the horse.

Comparison of head–neck positions and conflict behaviour in ridden elite dressage horses between warm-up and competition

The use of specific head–neck positions (HNPs) in horse riding have been identified to directly affect wellbeing of horses. In the rulebook of the International Equestrian federation (FEI), HNPs with the nasal plane in front of the vertical are mandatory, as well as ensuring horses to be “happy athletes”. Deviations from this should be reflected in the scoring of dressage competitions. We investigated ridden elite dressage horses in warm-up areas and during competition, and hypothesised a relationship between the HNP, behavioural indicators and the scores. Forty-nine starters (83%) of an international dressage competition (Grand Prix Special (CDIO5*) at CHIO (Aachen (Germany) in 2018 and 2019) were examined. We analysed HNPs (angle at vertical, poll angle and shoulder angle) as well as conflict behaviour (CB), e.g. unusual oral behaviour (OB) and tail swishing (TS), in the warm-up area and during competition in 3 min-videos (6571 frames). Conflict behaviour was evaluated using the Observer XT with the focus animal method according to an ethogram. Scores given by judges in the competition were noted. Data were analysed with six linear mixed effects models, where phase of competition and year (both factors with two levels) were fixed effects, and the horse was a random effect. Dependent variables were poll angle, angle at vertical, shoulder angle, TS, OB and total CB. Further, we evaluated another three models to evaluate if the vertical angle affected the response variables (TS, OB or CB). Hereby, angle at the vertical (continuous) and year (factor with two levels) were fixed effects, and the horse was considered as a random effect. The horses’ nasal plane was behind the vertical more often during warm-up than during competition (−11° vs. −5°; P<.01). Further, the poll angle was larger during competition than during warm-up (28° vs. 24°; P<.01). Horses showed more total CB and OB during warm-up than during competition (count: 163 and 107 vs. 120 and 78; P<.01). Horses tended to show more CB and OB when their nasal plane was behind the vertical. Tail swishing was not affected by angle at the vertical. Scores given by the judges correlated with HNPs during competition (R = 0.38; P<.05). These results undermine animal welfare concerns during world class dressage competitions.

THE HORSE BEHAVIOR TOWARD GROOMING

The domestication and selective breeding of horses for various purposes have led to the emergence of distinct horse breeds, often associated with specific physical traits and behavioral tendencies. Understanding individual differences in horse behavior, particularly during interactions with humans, is essential for promoting positive experiences and welfare. Mane grooming, a common human-horse interaction, provides valuable insights into horse emotional responses and preferences. This study investigates the behaviors of seven distinct horse breeds during mane grooming sessions through real-world observations. It aims to gain insights into horses' emotional responses, focusing on approach and avoidance behaviors, and explores potential influences on their reactions towards grooming, such as gender, mane direction, and breed characteristics. Results reveal personality differences among the seven horse breeds, with only 10.28% exhibiting aggressive behaviors during grooming. Mane direction in horses is primarily determined by genetics, with most having left or right manes. Some variations were observed among breeds, but differences were not substantial. Overall, this research highlights the importance of considering individual and breed-specific traits in mane grooming practices to enhance horse welfare and strengthen the human-horse bond.