| Adaption of horses to a novel dynamic feeding system: Movement and behavioural responses. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 23216599 Owner: NLM Status: Publisher |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Many domestic horses and ponies are sedentary and obese due to confinement to small paddocks and stables and a diet of infrequent, high-energy rations. Severe health consequences can be associated with this altered lifestyle. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to investigate the ability of horses to learn to use a dynamic feeder system and determine the movement and behavioural responses of horses to the novel system. METHODS: A dynamic feed station was developed to encourage horses to exercise in order to access ad libitum hay. Five pairs of horses (n = 10) were studied using a randomised crossover design with each pair studied in a control paddock containing a standard hay feeder and an experimental paddock containing the novel hay feeder. Horse movement was monitored by a global positioning system (GPS) and horses observed and their ability to learn to use the system and the behavioural responses to its use assessed. RESULTS: With initial human intervention all horses used the novel feeder within 1 h. Some aggressive behaviour was observed between horses not well matched in dominance behaviour. The median distance walked by the horses was less (P = 0.002) during a 4 h period (117 [57-185] m) in the control paddock than in the experimental paddock (630 [509-719] m). CONCLUSIONS: The use of an automated feeding system promotes increased activity levels in horses housed in small paddocks, compared with a stationary feeder. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The novel feeder system may have application in the husbandry of horses and ponies kept in small paddocks by encouraging a natural pattern of exercise without human intervention and an ad libitum diet of hay. This may improve the health and welfare of horses. |
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Authors:
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B A Hampson; M A de Laat; J Monot; D Bailliu; C C Pollitt |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: JOURNAL ARTICLE Date: 2012-10-11 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Equine veterinary journal Volume: - ISSN: 2042-3306 ISO Abbreviation: Equine Vet. J. Publication Date: 2012 Oct |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2012-12-10 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0173320 Medline TA: Equine Vet J Country: - |
Other Details:
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Languages: ENG Pagination: - Citation Subset: - |
Copyright Information:
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© 2012 EVJ Ltd. |
Affiliation:
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The Australian Brumby Research Unit, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia. |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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