Abstract

The study aimed to assess the effect of two management housing system on breeding horse welfare. An adapted version of the assessment protocol for horses was used for that purposed to this study, with the focus on the animal-based measures section. This includes individual animal scoring of good feeding, good health and appropriate behaviour. The study was conducted in a professional Equine Breeding Centre with a representative set of housing and management systems and practices used for breeding purposes in Spain. A total of 49 stallions stabled individually and 43 broodmares living loose housing in groups were subject for individual scoring. A descriptive statistic for each welfare indicator was calculated. Pearson's Chi-square test or Fisher's test were calculated between the different welfare measures and the housing system. Odds ratios were computed to quantify the association of prevalence of welfare issues with husbandry and management practices according to the type of housing. The stallions were almost two and a half times more at risk than mares to exhibit acceptation to the chin contact behavioural test. Broodmares were prone to present significant lower body condition scores (BCS). The prevalence of rubbed and broken hairs in mane and tail (OR = 4.413), gait abnormalities (OR = 5.429), skin lesions in upper and lower legs regions (OR = 2.691) was higher in stabled animals. In contrast, broodmares presented more often with general skin lesions, specifically in withers-back-barrel-girth (OR = 0.349), hindquarters (OR = 0.016) and skin irritation in lower legs (OR = 0.287). The risk factor analysis applying a multivariable logistic regression model disclosed the way that the group housing freedom system management predicted significantly the prevalence of three animal based indicators deviations: one behavioural indicator (fear to the novel object test), one feeding indicator (lower BCS) and one health indicator (harm in lower legs).

Keywords

Horse welfare; management; breeding; stallion; broodmare

Published in

Italian Journal of Animal Science
2020, Volume: 19, number: 1, pages: 137-146
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

SLU Authors

• Blanco Penedo, Isabel

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Clinical Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2019.1706433

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/103946