Acclimatisation of horses to a novel feeding system

Monot, J., Priymenko, N. and Hampson, B. (2012). Acclimatisation of horses to a novel feeding system. In Markku Saastamoinen, Maria João Fradinho, Ana Sofia Santos and Nicoletta Miraglia (Ed.), Forages and grazing in horse nutrition (pp. 191-194) Wageningen, Netherlands: Wageningen Academic Publishers.

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Author Monot, J.
Priymenko, N.
Hampson, B.
Title of chapter Acclimatisation of horses to a novel feeding system
Title of book Forages and grazing in horse nutrition
Place of Publication Wageningen, Netherlands
Publisher Wageningen Academic Publishers
DOI 10.3920/978-90-8686-755-4_22
Publication year 2012
Sub-type Critical scholarly text
Series Forages and Grazing in Horse Nutrition
Editor Markku Saastamoinen
Maria João Fradinho
Ana Sofia Santos
Nicoletta Miraglia
ISBN 9789086867554; 9789086862009
ISSN 0071-2477
Volume number 132
Chapter number 23
Start page 191
End page 194
Total pages 4
Total chapters 70
Collection year 2013
Language eng
Abstract/Summary Horses housed in small enclosures perform minimal exercise. A novel feeder system may promote exercise but may have behavioral consequences. The aim of this study was to determine the ability of horses to learn to use a novel feeding system and determine the behavioral effects of its use. A dynamic feed station was developed to force horses to exercise to continuously access feed. The behaviour of five groups of two horses was assessed while being housed for three days in either a control (contained a simple hay rack) and research (with the novel feeder) paddock. In the research paddock on day 1, horses were taught to use the feeder by the observer. On day 2 (feeder operational) and day 3 (feeder nonoperational) horses were observed for 4 hours per day to determine speed of learning and incidence of aggressive behaviours between horses. Horses quickly learnt to use the feeder system. Learning was affected by domination relationships between horses. Dominating horses learnt faster and aggressive behaviours appeared to be amplified when the feeder was operational. To reduce the stress impact of the feeder system on horses, horses housed together should be well matched to avoid strong domination relationships. The dynamic feeder system could then be utilized more successfully to increase exercise in horses housed in small paddocks.
Keyword Dynamic feeding system
Learning
Domination relationships
Q-Index Code B1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ
Additional Notes Part 3. Grazing / Ingesting behaviour

Document type: Book Chapter
Collections: Official 2013 Collection
School of Veterinary Science Publications
 
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Created: Fri, 21 Sep 2012, 12:36:49 EST by Ms Imogen Ferrier on behalf of School of Veterinary Science