Losonci, Z., Berry, J., Paddison, J. 2016. Do stabled horses show more undesirable behaviors during handling than field-kept ones? Journal of Veterinary Behavior 15, 93. (12th International Society of Equitation Science (ISES) Conference Abstract)

Undesirable behavior (e.g. biting, kicking and aggression) during handling is a growing concern in the equine industry, and is likely to compromise horse-human relationships. The present study, carried out over 3 months, investigated the expression of desirable and undesirable behaviors in horses kept in three housing regimes. College horses (n=9) with an average age of 14.5 +/- 6.5 years and of various breeds were observed in three situations: field, stabled when not intensively handled (checked twice a daily for injury) and stabled and handled more than twice daily. Direct observations during tacking-up and trotting-up in-hand were made. Duration and frequency of behaviors was recorded on an ethogram which categorised behavior into three groups, ‘DESIRABLE’ (alert, friendly), ‘NEUTRAL’ (no response, depressed) and ‘UNDESIRABLE’ (aggressive or apprehensive). No novel events were recorded throughout the observations. The frequency of each type of behavior was analysed using the Friedmans statistical test which showed a significant difference in both ‘undesirable’ (Friedman csqr, d.f. = 2, P < 0.05) and ‘NEUTRAL’ behavior (Friedman csqr, d.f. = 2, P < 0.05) in the three given situations. Differences in ‘DESIRABLE’ behavior were highly significant (Friedman csqr, d.f. = 2, P < 0.01) between the housing regimes. More ‘DESIRABLE’ behavior was observed in field-kept horses, suggesting that animals in this environment show less negative behaviors and easier handling compared to when they are stabled for a full day. Housing regime can significantly affect the behavioral repertoire of domestic horses. Further investigation of stress parameters in horses kept in these three housing situations would enable greater understanding of the underlying factors behind this result.