The Behavior of Horses Stabled in a Large Group at Essential Resources (Watering Point and Lying Halls)

Abstract

Since there is a practical need, this study focused on the behavior of 51 horses kept in one large group in order to make management suggestions regarding the animal:watering point ratio and the design of lying halls. Drinking events and interactions between pairs of horses were analyzed for 18 days as well as the occupancy time of the watering point. The time period had significant effects on drinking events with visible interactions (P < .05). The highest least square means (LSM) and standard errors (SE) of drinking events with and without visible interaction were observed between 12 noon-2 p.m. (13.6 ± 2.2 and 8.6 ± 1.6 drinking events, respectively) which was also the time period of main occupancy of the watering point (41.9 ± 2.7 min/2 h). About 57% of drinking events were classed as with visible interaction, of which over 90% were mild (i.e. laying back of ears, tightening of face). Horses' behavior (resting while standing/others) and lying positions (sternal/lateral) in different lying halls were analyzed over 36 days by generalized mixed models. The sternal position was preferred (12.4% ± 1.4%-39.2% ± 3.0%) compared to the lateral one (1.4% ± 0.4%-8.3% ± 1.6%). Older horses spent significantly less time in the sternal position (13.8% ± 1.6%) and rested more standing (45.4% ± 3.3%) compared to younger horses (26.4% ± 4.5% and 29.1% ± 4.9%, respectively) (P < .05). Overall, this study provides first insights into drinking and lying behavior of horses kept in a large group.

Keywords: Active stable systems; GPS; Group housing; Horse; Horse behavior.