Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/16079
Title: Relative occurrence of stereotypic type behaviours in pastured horses in Australia
Contributor(s): Van Den Berg, Mariette  (author); Brown, Wendy  (author)orcid ; Lee, Caroline  (author); Hinch, Geoffrey  (author)orcid 
Publication Date: 2014
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/16079
Abstract: Anecdotally, Australian horses are typically managed on small acreage pastures (paddocks) all year round and may be confined to stables or yards for certain periods. Even where horses have considerable access to pasture, they remain largely dependant upon humans for pasture management and the timing, selection and delivery of supplementary feeds. Horses are usually fed in ways that involve minimal foraging; and typically comprise homogenous hay, and/or energy-dense, low fibre foods. In situations where roughage or pasture is limited, opportunity to forage is also reduced and it has been suggested that this could make horses more susceptible to digestive and behavioural problems (Nicol, 1999). Stereotypic behaviours are repetitive, purposeless behaviours, which are indicative of welfare issues. Some examples in horses include crib-biting, weaving and chewing of stable bedding. Occurrences of stereotypies in horses have been predominantly reported in stable environments, but have also been observed at pasture. An Australian study by Pell and McGreevy (1999) indicated that the prevalence of such behaviours at pasture was not lower than the prevalence reported in a UK study (McGreevy et al., 1995). It is unclear what factors may play a role in to this observation. Therefore, as part of a survey-based study, the relative occurrence of stereotypic type behaviours of Australian horses at pasture was examined and key aspects of husbandry, feeding management and pasture conditions assessed.
Publication Type: Conference Publication
Conference Details: AESS 2014: Australasian Equine Science Symposium, Gold Coast, Australia, 18th - 20th July, 2014
Source of Publication: Proceedings of the Australasian Equine Science Symposium, v.5, p. 47-47
Publisher: Australasian Equine Science
Place of Publication: Gold Coast, Australia
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 070204 Animal Nutrition
070203 Animal Management
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 300303 Animal nutrition
300302 Animal management
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 830401 Browse Crops
830306 Horses
839901 Animal Welfare
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 100501 Browse crops
100406 Horses
109902 Animal welfare
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: E3 Extract of Scholarly Conference Publication
Publisher/associated links: http://www.australasianequinescience.com/2006%20Symposium.html
Series Name: AESS Proceedings
Series Number : 5
Appears in Collections:Conference Publication
School of Science and Technology

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