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The effect of mirrors for the control of stereotypic weaving in the stabled horse

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2018

E Grime ,
A Northrop ,
M E Rosbotham  and
K L Howells
E Grime
Affiliation:
Equine Science Department, Myerscough College, Bilsborrow, Preston PR3 0RY, UK
A Northrop
Affiliation:
Equine Science Department, Myerscough College, Bilsborrow, Preston PR3 0RY, UK
M E Rosbotham
Affiliation:
Animal Studies Department, Myerscough College, Bilsborrow, Preston PR3 0RY, UK, Email: KHowells@myerscough.ac.uk
K L Howells
Affiliation:
Animal Studies Department, Myerscough College, Bilsborrow, Preston PR3 0RY, UK, Email: KHowells@myerscough.ac.uk
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Extract

The exhibition and aetiology of abnormal behaviour in the equine is a coping response to a sub-optimal environment (McBride and Cuddeford, 2001). Physical prevention of performance of these behaviours could however lead to compromised welfare so alternative welfare enhancement methods have been sought as alternatives. Nicol (1999) indicated that the cause of weaving as a specific stereotypic behaviour is related to the management of the stabled horse. Enrichment devices have been successful in reducing abnormal behaviour and fostering increased expression of more normal behaviours in many animal species but studies have remained limited in relation to the equine. By strategic placement of mirrors in the stable the current study aimed to reduce the stabled horses need to perform stereotypic weaving behaviour without the use of physical restraint in order to enhance the welfare outcome.

Four horses, two males and two females were housed individually in 10*12m loose boxes and provided with straw bedding.

Type
Posters
Information
BSAP Occasional Publication , Volume 32: Emerging Equine Science , 2004 , pp. 185 - 186
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Production 2004

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References

Cooper, J. J., McDonald, L. and Mills, D. S. (2000). The effect of increasing visual horizons on stereotypic weaving: Implications for the social housing of stabled horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 69: 67–83.Google Scholar
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McBride, S. D. and Cuddeford, D. (2001). The putative welfare reducing effects of preventing equine stereotypic behaviour. Animal Welfare 10: 173–189.Google Scholar
Nicol, C. (1999). Understanding equine stereotypies. Equine Veterinary Journal 28: 20–25. Google Scholar