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Preliminary investigations of behavioural and physiological responses to castration in horses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

R. A. Eager*
Affiliation:
Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9RG
J. Price
Affiliation:
Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9RG
E. Welsh
Affiliation:
Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9RG
N. K. Waran
Affiliation:
Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9RG
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Extract

Behavioural responses to pain are highly species specific and reflect varying strategies for survival. As prey animals, horses may fail to show obvious pain responses, instead masking pain to reduce predation through selection as the weakest of a group (Anil et al., 2002). Price et al. (2002) identified disagreement amongst vets regarding pain assessment and management in horses. This was highlighted by recent debate concerning the existence of post-castration pain and the necessity for analgesia in equines (e.g., Capner 2001; Green 2001). While optimal assessment and management of pain is an important equine welfare issue, the behaviours of horses in response to pain are poorly defined (Raekallio et al. 1997) and the relevance of physiological indicators not confirmed. Palpation or human interaction tests, used in other species (e.g. Holton et al 1998), have yet to be validated in horses. This study aimed to identify and quantify potential behavioural indicators of post-castration pain in horses.

Type
ISAE
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2003

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References

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