Management factors affecting stereotypies and body condition score in nonracing horses in Prince Edward Island
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2006 |
Authors: |
J. L. Christie, C. J. Hewson, C. B. Riley, M. A. McNiven, I. R. Dohoo, L. A. Bate |
Publication/Journal: |
The Canadian Veterinary Journal |
Keywords: |
animal husbandry, animal husbandry/statistics & numerical data, animal welfare, animal/physiology, animals, behavior, behaviour, body constitution/physiology, female, horses, husbandry standards, male, physiology, prince edward island, questionnaires, risk-factors, sex factors |
Abstract:
In North America, there are few representative data about the effects of management practices on equine welfare. In a randomized survey of 312 nonracing horses in Prince Edward Island (response rate 68.4%), owners completed a pretested questionnaire and a veterinarian examined each horse. Regression analyses identified factors affecting 2 welfare markers: body condition score (BCS) and stereotypic behavior. Horses’ BCSs were high (mean 5.7, on a 9-point scale) and were associated with sex (males had lower BCSs than females; P < 0.001) and examination date (P = 0.052). Prevalences of crib biting, wind sucking, and weaving were 3.8%, 3.8%, and 4.8%, respectively. Age (OR = 1.07, P = 0.08) and hours worked weekly (OR = 1.12, P = 0.03) were risk factors for weaving. Straw bedding (OR = 0.3, P = 0.03), daily hours at pasture (OR = 0.94, P = 0.02), and horse type (drafts and miniatures had a lower risk than light horses; P = 0.12) reduced the risk of horses showing oral stereotypies. Some of these results contradict those of other studies perhaps because of populations concerned.