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Factors affecting behavioural disturbances in race-horses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

I. Redbo ,
P. Redbo-Torstensson ,
F. O. Ödberg ,
A. Hedendahl  and
J. Holm
I. Redbo
Affiliation:
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, Kungsängen Research Centre, S–753 23 Uppsala, Sweden
P. Redbo-Torstensson
Affiliation:
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Ecology and Environmental Research, Box 7072, S–750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
F. O. Ödberg
Affiliation:
Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Heidestraat 19, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
A. Hedendahl
Affiliation:
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, Kungsängen Research Centre, S–753 23 Uppsala, Sweden
J. Holm
Affiliation:
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, Kungsängen Research Centre, S–753 23 Uppsala, Sweden
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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to identify relations between stereotyped behaviours (cribbing, weaving and box-walking) and wood-chewing in thoroughbred flat-racing horses (TB) and standardbred trotters and the different management, feeding and training factors to which these horses are exposed. This was obtained by inquiries to all the professional trainers of TB and trottinghorses used for racing in Sweden. The usable response rates were 61% for trotters and 72% for TB representing 4597 trotters from 234 stables and 644 TB from 38 stables. A small field study was carried out to control the validity of the main study which gave results similar to those in the main study. There was a large difference between the two horse categories in the occurrence of behavioural disturbances. The TB had significantly more stereotypies than the trotters (P < 0·001) but there were no differences in the occurrence of wood-chewing. There were several differences in external factors between the horse categories, e.g. trotters had more opportunities for social contacts with other horses, they also had more free time outside the stable and they were trained a shorter time per week than the TB. The TB were given larger amounts of concentrate than the trotters. Wood-chewing within each horse category was explained by the amount of roughage (P < 0·05 in trotters and P < 0·001 in TB) together with other factors. Stereotypies in the TB were explained by: amount of concentrate (positive relation), number of horses per trainer (positive relation) and amount of roughage (negative relation).

Keywords

behaviourhorsesmanagementstereotypies
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Science , Volume 66 , Issue 2 , April 1998 , pp. 475 - 481
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1998

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