Reactivity of foals to an unknown environment: open round pen
Mayra Oliveira Medeiros
, Laura Alves Brandi
Camila Giunco
, Amanda Heloisa Dicilio de Alcântara
Lívia Vieira Costa Nicolau
Roberta Ariboni Brandi
10.6084/m9.figshare.5183185.v1
https://cbbiomet.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Reactivity_of_foals_to_an_unknown_environment_open_round_pen/5183185
<p><b>:</b> The
aim of the present study was to verify the reactivity and habituation of foals
on the open round pen. Eleven foals, six males and five females, ranging in age
from 8 to 11 months, were used. The foals were separated from the group and
taken individually to the open round pen for four consecutive days, where they
remained for two minutes. Behavioral observations of the animals were performed
by the continuous visual method. There was no effect (p>0.05) on any of the
variables according to score, gender or day. All the animals kept walking,
explored or remained vigilant inside the round pen (score 2, 5 and 6,
respectively, of Movement), kept their eyes attentive (score 2 of Position of
the Eyes), and their ears moved frequently (score 3 of Position of the Ears),
did not snort (score 2 for Snorting) and did not attempt to escape (score 2).
The Vocalization variable had the most variation in the frequency of occurrence
of the scores, with 60% of score 1 (absent) and 34,77% of score 2 (occasional).
Foals, males and females, remain alert to the first section of contact
with the open round pen. The use of the open pen can contributed to the
reactivity of the horses, making them calmer when
being able to visualize other animals, without taking away their attention to
the new environment.</p>
2017-08-07 19:26:25
behavior
habituation
horses
Animal Behaviour