Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-ttngx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-30T12:48:49.828Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Reducing Equine Stereotypies Using an Equiball™

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

J V Henderson  and
N K Waran
J V Henderson
Affiliation:
158 Hesketh Lane, Tarleton, Preston, Lancashire, PR4 6AS, UK
N K Waran*
Affiliation:
Institute of Ecology and Resource Management, University of Edinburgh, School of Agriculture, West Mains Rd, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
*
† Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

It is believed that environmental enrichment techniques can play an important part in creating suitable captive environments for horses. There has, however, been little scientific investigation into the effectiveness of ‘stable-toys’ which claim to reduce the performance of equine stereotypies. This study investigated the effect of a foraging device known as ‘The Equiball™’ on equine stereotypies. Six horses were given their evening feed in an Equiball, and the occurence of stereotypic behaviour recorded using scan sampling of video observations. Pre-enrichment, horses spent a mean (± SD) of 5.27 ± 8.17 per cent of their time in the stable performing stereotypies; and significant individual variation in mean time performing stereotypic behaviour was found (P < 0.05). Several peaks in stereotypy over the day were found, the two main ones corresponding to the times before feeding. A reduction in stereotypic behaviour in five horses, and a small increase in stereotypic behaviour in one horse was observed during enrichment. During enrichment, there was an overall trend for stereotypic behaviour to decrease (P < 0.1). When used in conjunction with other measures such as behaviour therapy, companionship, increased exercise, and so on, the Equiball may help to create an environment less likely to lead to the development of stereotypic behaviours.

Keywords

animal welfareenrichmentEquiball™horsesstereotypic behaviour
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 10 , Issue 1 , February 2001 , pp. 73 - 80
Copyright
© 2001 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Cooper, J J and Odberg, F 1991 The emancipation of stereotypies with age. In: Appleby M C, Horrell R I, Petherick J C and Rutter S M (eds) Applied Animal Behaviour. Past, Present and Future. Proceedings of the International Congress, Edinburgh ¡991 ρ 142. UF AW: Potters Bar, UKGoogle Scholar
Dodman, N H, Shuster, L, Court, M H and Dixon, R 1987 Investigation into the use of narcotic antagonists in the treatment of stereotypic behaviour patterns (cribbing) in the horse. American Journal of Veterinary Research 48: 311–319Google Scholar
Frape, D 1986 Equine Nutrition and Feeding. Longman Scientific and Technical: London, UKGoogle Scholar
Kennes, D and De Rycke, P H 1988 Influence of the performance of stereotypies on plasma corticosterone and leucocyte levels in bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus). In: Unselm J, Van Putten G, Keen K and Ekesbo I Proceedings of the International Congress on Applied Ethology of Farm Animals, Skara, 1988 pp 238–240. KTBL: Darmstadt, GermanyGoogle Scholar
Kiley-Worthington, M 1983 Stereotypes in horses. Equine Practice 5: 34–40Google Scholar
Marsden, M D 1993 Feeding practices have a greater effect than housing practices on the behaviour and welfare of the horse. In: Collins E and Boon C Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Livestock Environment pp 314–318. ASAE: St Joseph, USAGoogle Scholar
McGreevy, P D, Cripps, P J, French, N P, Green, L E and Nicol, C J 1995 Management factors associated with stereotypic and redirected behaviour in the thoroughbred horse. Equine Veterinary Journal 2: 86–91CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Plante, T G and Rodin, J 1990 Physical fitness and enhanced psychological health. Current Psychology: Research and Reviews 9: 1 -22CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Siegal, S and Castellan, N J 1988 Nonparametric Statistics for the Behavioural Sciences, 2nd edition. McGraw-Hill International: USAGoogle Scholar
Spoolder, HAM, Burbidge, J A, Edwards, S A, Simmins, P H and Lawrence, A B 1995 Provision of straw as a foraging substrate reduced the development of excessive chain and bar manipulation in food restricted sows. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 43: 249–262CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Waran, N K and Henderson, J V 1998 Stable vices: what are they and can we prevent them? Equine Practice 20: 6–8Google Scholar
Winskill, L, Waran, N K, Channing, C and Young, R J 1995 Stereotypies in the stabled horse: causes, treatment and prevention. Current Science 69: 310–316Google Scholar
Winskill, L C, Young, R J, Channing, C E, Hurley, J and Waran, N K 1996 The effect of a foraging device (the modified ‘Edinburgh Foodball’) on the behaviour of the stabled horse. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 48: 25–35CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Young, R J, Carruthers, J and Lawrence, A B 1994 The effect of a foraging device (The ‘Edinburgh Foodball’) on the behaviour of pigs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 39: 237–247CrossRefGoogle Scholar