An investigation into the daily level of voluntary activity of stabled riding school horses
In: Comparative Exercise PhysiologySearch for other papers by H. Brown in
Current site
Google Scholar
Search for other papers by D. Marlin in
Current site
Google Scholar
Search for other papers by P. Harris in
Current site
Google Scholar
The importance of correct feeding practice has been highlighted by the increasing prevalence of obesity in horses. Human research has suggested that voluntary activity (VA) levels may influence digestible energy (DE) requirements, accounting for 15-50% of human daily energy expenditure. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether levels of non-structured exercise differed between stabled horses with similar bodyweight (BW) and similar structured workloads, but with different estimated DE intakes to maintain their BW. Twelve mature horses were selected based on their estimated DE intake and BW, and were paired according to their BW, breed, estimated DE intake, and structured exercise. Within each pair, one horse (L) was fed a relatively lower estimated DE intake than the other horse (H) to maintain a similar, constant BW and performing similar levels of structured exercise. Estimated DE intake was therefore significantly (P<0.01) different between Group L and Group H. Each pair was observed for 72 h during which structured exercise and non-structured exercise were measured. Heart rate was used as a measure of workload during the structured exercise. Two RT3 accelerometers, located on a roller (RT3-R) and head collar (RT3-H), were used to measure VA levels when stabled in addition to visual observations using focal sampling between 07:00 and 18:00 h. RT3-R and RT3-H activity levels were not significantly (P>0.05) different between individual horses. Median activity counts were significantly (P≤0.001) higher during the day time (06:30-18:29 h) compared to the night time (18:30-06:29 h). However, measured activity using RT3 accelerometers did not show a significant difference between horses in Group L and Group H (P>0.05). It was therefore concluded, that differences in VA levels during stabling could not explain the difference in estimated DE requirements between horses with a similar BW and workload.
Purchase
Buy instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):
Institutional Login
Log in with Open Athens, Shibboleth, or your institutional credentials
Personal login
Log in with your brill.com account
-
Argo, C. McGregor, 2009. Appraising the portly pony: body condition scores and adiposity. Veterinary Journal 179: 158-160.
'Appraising the portly pony: body condition scores and adiposity ' () 179 Veterinary Journal : 158 -160 .
-
Berger, A., Scheibe, K.M., Eichhorn, K., Scheibe, A. and Streich, J., 1999. Diurnal and ultradian rhythms of behaviour in a mare group of Przewalski horse (Equus ferus przewalskii), measured through one year under semi-reserve conditions. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 64: 1-17.
'Diurnal and ultradian rhythms of behaviour in a mare group of Przewalski horse (Equus ferus przewalskii), measured through one year under semi-reserve conditions ' () 64 Applied Animal Behaviour Science : 1 -17 .
-
Brehme, U. and Rose, S., 2007. Effect of different activity and space offers on the activity behaviour of stallions. Landtechnik 62: 408-409.
'Effect of different activity and space offers on the activity behaviour of stallions ' () 62 Landtechnik : 408 -409 .
-
Burla, J.-B., Ostertag, A., Schulze Westerath, H. and Hillmann, E., 2014. Gait determination and activity measurement in horses using an accelerometer. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 102: 127-133.
'Gait determination and activity measurement in horses using an accelerometer ' () 102 Computers and Electronics in Agriculture : 127 -133 .
-
Cooper, J.J. and Mason, G.J., 1998. The identification of abnormal behaviour and behavioural problems in stabled horses and their relationship to horse welfare: a comparative review. Equine Veterinary Journal, Suppl. 27: 5-9.
'The identification of abnormal behaviour and behavioural problems in stabled horses and their relationship to horse welfare: a comparative review ' () 27 Equine Veterinary Journal, Suppl : 5 -9 .
-
Cooper, J.J., McCall, N., Johnson, S. and Davidson, S., 2005. The shortterm effects of increasing meal frequency on stereotypic behaviour of stabled horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 90: 351-364.
'The shortterm effects of increasing meal frequency on stereotypic behaviour of stabled horses ' () 90 Applied Animal Behaviour Science : 351 -364 .
-
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.
'The effect of increasing visual horizons on stereotypic weaving: implications for the social housing of stabled horses ' () 69 Applied Animal Behaviour Science : 67 -83 .
-
Dekker, H., 2009. A study of the effects of diet and management on the activity and body condition of stabled horses. PhD thesis, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.
'A study of the effects of diet and management on the activity and body condition of stabled horses ', ().
-
Dekker, H., Marlin, D., Alexander, L., Bishop, R., and Harris, P., 2007. A pilot study investigating the relationship between perceived and actual workload and estimated energy intake in riding centre horses. Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology 4: 7-14.
'A pilot study investigating the relationship between perceived and actual workload and estimated energy intake in riding centre horses ' () 4 Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology : 7 -14 .
-
Deriaz, O., Fournier, G., Tremblay, A., Despres, J.P. and Bouchard, C., 1992. Lean-body-mass composition and resting energy expenditure before and after long-term overfeeding. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 56: 840-847.
'Lean-body-mass composition and resting energy expenditure before and after long-term overfeeding ' () 56 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition : 840 -847 .
-
DuBois, C., Zakrajsek, E., Haley, D.B. and Merkies, K., 2015. Validation of triaxial accelerometers to measure the lying behaviour of adult domestic horses. Animal 9: 110-114.
'Validation of triaxial accelerometers to measure the lying behaviour of adult domestic horses ' () 9 Animal : 110 -114 .
-
Ellis, A.D., Fell, M., Luck, K., Gill, L., Owen, H., Briars, H., Barfoot, C. and Harris, P., 2015. Effect of forage presentation on feed intake behaviour in stabled horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 165: 88-94.
'Effect of forage presentation on feed intake behaviour in stabled horses ' () 165 Applied Animal Behaviour Science : 88 -94 .
-
Geor, R.J. and Harris, P.A., 2005. Nutritional management of endurance horses. In: Harris, P.A., Mair, T.S., Slater, J.D. and Green, R.E. (eds.) Equine nutrition for all. The 1st BEVA and WALTHAM Nutrition Symposia. September 17-18, 2005. Newmarket, UK, pp. 71-78.
'Nutritional management of endurance horses ', () 71 -78 .
-
Glunk, E.C., Weber, W. and Martinson, K.L., 2013. The effect of forage net design on rate and amount of forage consumed by adult horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 33: 299-321.
'The effect of forage net design on rate and amount of forage consumed by adult horses ' () 33 Journal of Equine Veterinary Science : 299 -321 .
-
Greening, L., Shenton, V., Wilcockson, K. and Swanson, J., 2013. Investigating duration of nocturnal ingestive and sleep behaviors of horses bedded on straw versus shavings. Journal of Veterinary Behaviour 8: 82-86.
'Investigating duration of nocturnal ingestive and sleep behaviors of horses bedded on straw versus shavings ' () 8 Journal of Veterinary Behaviour : 82 -86 .
-
Harris, P.A. and Kronfeld, D.S., 2003. Influence of dietary energy sources on health and performance. In: Robinson, N.E. (ed.) Current therapy in equine medicine 5. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA, USA, pp. 698-704.
'Influence of dietary energy sources on health and performance ', in Current therapy in equine medicine 5 , () 698 -704 .
-
Harris, P.A., 1997. Energy sources and requirements of the exercising horse. Annual Review of Nutrition 17: 185-210.
'Energy sources and requirements of the exercising horse ' () 17 Annual Review of Nutrition : 185 -210 .
-
Harris, P.A., 1999. Review of equine feeding and stable management practices in the UK concentrating on the last decade of the 20th century. Equine Veterinary Journal Suppl. 28: 46-54.
'Review of equine feeding and stable management practices in the UK concentrating on the last decade of the 20th century ' () 28 Equine Veterinary Journal Suppl. : 46 -54 .
-
Hausberger, M. and Muller, C., 2002. A brief note on some possible factors involved in the reactions of horses to humans. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 76: 330-344.
'A brief note on some possible factors involved in the reactions of horses to humans ' () 76 Applied Animal Behaviour Science : 330 -344 .
-
Henneke, D.R., Potter, G.D., Kreider, J.L. and Yeates, B.F., 1983. Relationship between condition score, physical measurement and body fat percentage in mares. Equine Veterinary Journal 15: 371-372.
'Relationship between condition score, physical measurement and body fat percentage in mares ' () 15 Equine Veterinary Journal : 371 -372 .
-
Hintz, H.F. and Cymbaluk, N.F., 1994. Nutrition of the horse. Annual Review of Nutrition 14: 243-267.
'Nutrition of the horse ' () 14 Annual Review of Nutrition : 243 -267 .
-
Keegan, K.G., Yonezawa, Y., Pai, P.E. and Wilson, D.A., 2002. Accelerometer-based system for the detection of lameness in horses. Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation 38: 107-112.
'Accelerometer-based system for the detection of lameness in horses ' () 38 Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation : 107 -112 .
-
Kienzle, E. and Schramme, S.C., 2004. Beurteilung des ernährungszustandes mittels body condition scores und gewichtsschätzung beim adulten warmblutpferd. Pferdeheilkunde 20: 517-524.
'Beurteilung des ernahrungszustandes mittels body condition scores und gewichtsschatzung beim adulten warmblutpferd ' () 20 Pferdeheilkunde : 517 -524 .
-
Levine, J.A., 2003. Non-exercise activity thermogenesis. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 62: 667-679.
'Non-exercise activity thermogenesis ' () 62 Proceedings of the Nutrition Society : 667 -679 .
-
Levine, J.A., Eberhardt, N.L. and Jensen, M.D., 1999. Role of nonexercise activity thermogenesis in resistance to fat gain in humans. Science 283: 212-214.
'Role of nonexercise activity thermogenesis in resistance to fat gain in humans ' () 283 Science : 212 -214 .
-
Levine, J.A., Schleusner, S.J. and Jensen, M.D., 2000. Energy expenditure of nonexercise activity. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 72: 1451-1454.
'Energy expenditure of nonexercise activity ' () 72 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition : 1451 -1454 .
-
Livingstone, M.B.E., Strain, J.J., Prentice, A.M., Coward, W.A., Nevin, G.B., Barker, M.E., Hickery, R.J., McKenna, P.G. and Whitehead, R.G., 1991. Potential contribution of leisure activity to the energy expenditure patterns of sedentary populations. British Journal of Nutrition 65: 145-155.
'Potential contribution of leisure activity to the energy expenditure patterns of sedentary populations ' () 65 British Journal of Nutrition : 145 -155 .
-
Lloyd, A.S., Martin, J.E., Bornett-Gauci, H.L.I. and Wilkinson, R.G., 2008. Horse personality: variation between breeds. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 112: 369-383.
'Horse personality: variation between breeds ' () 112 Applied Animal Behaviour Science : 369 -383 .
-
National Research Council (NRC), 2007. Nutrient requirements of horses, 6th edition. National Academic Press, Washington, DC, USA.
'Nutrient requirements of horses, 6th edition ', ().
-
Petersen, S., Tolle, K.H., Blobel, K.J., Grabner, A. and Krieter, J., 2005. Evaluation of horse keeping in Schleswig-Holstein. In: EAAP – Book of Abstracts No 11, 56th Annual Meeting of the European Association of Animal Production. June 5-8, 2005. Uppsala, Sweden. Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
'Evaluation of horse keeping in Schleswig-Holstein ', in EAAP – Book of Abstracts No 11, 56th Annual Meeting of the European Association of Animal Production , ().
-
Piccione, G., Costa, A., Giannetto, C., and Caola, G., 2008. Daily rhythms of activity in horses housed in different stabling conditions. Biological Rhythm Research 39: 79-84.
'Daily rhythms of activity in horses housed in different stabling conditions ' () 39 Biological Rhythm Research : 79 -84 .
-
Ravussin, E., Lillioja, S., Anderson, T.E., Christin, L. and Bogardus, C., 1986. Determinants of 24-hour energy expenditure in man. Methods and results using a respiratory chamber. Journal of Clinical Investigation 78: 1568-1578.
'Determinants of 24-hour energy expenditure in man ' () 78 Journal of Clinical Investigation : 1568 -1578 .
-
Rose-Meierhofer, S., Klaer, S., Ammon, C., Brunsch, R. and Hoffmann, G., 2010. Activity behaviour of horses housed in different open barn systems. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 30: 624-634.
'Activity behaviour of horses housed in different open barn systems ' () 30 Journal of Equine Veterinary Science : 624 -634 .
-
Sillence, M., Noble, G. and McGowan, C., 2002. Fast food and fat fillies: the ills of western civilization. Veterinary Journal 172: 396-397.
'Fast food and fat fillies: the ills of western civilization ' () 172 Veterinary Journal : 396 -397 .
-
Søndergaard, E. and Ladewig, J., 2004. Group housing exerts a positive effect on the behaviour of young horses during training. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 87: 105-118.
'Group housing exerts a positive effect on the behaviour of young horses during training ' () 87 Applied Animal Behaviour Science : 105 -118 .
-
Vincent, T.L., Newton, J.R., Deaton, C.M., Franklin, S.H., Biddick, T., McKeever, K.H., McDonough, P., Young, L.E., Hodgson, D.R. and Marlin, D.J., 2006. Retrospective study of predictive variables for maximal heart rate (HRmax) in horses undergoing strenuous treadmill exercise. Equine Veterinary Journal Suppl. 36: 146-152.
'Retrospective study of predictive variables for maximal heart rate (HRmax) in horses undergoing strenuous treadmill exercise ' () 36 Equine Veterinary Journal Suppl. : 146 -152 .
-
Werhahn, H., Hessel, E.F., Herman and Van de Weghe, H.F.A., 2012. Competition horses housed in single stalls (I): behavior and activity patterns during free exercise according to its configuration. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 32: 45-52.
'Competition horses housed in single stalls (I): behavior and activity patterns during free exercise according to its configuration ' () 32 Journal of Equine Veterinary Science : 45 -52 .
-
Wyse, C.A., McNie, K.A., Tannahil, V.J., Murray, J.K. and Love, S., 2008. Prevalence of obesity in riding horses in Scotland. Veterinary Record 162: 590-591.
'Prevalence of obesity in riding horses in Scotland ' () 162 Veterinary Record : 590 -591 .
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 131 | 105 | 14 |
| Full Text Views | 12 | 4 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 19 | 12 | 0 |
An investigation into the daily level of voluntary activity of stabled riding school horses
In: Comparative Exercise PhysiologySearch for other papers by H. Brown in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by D. Marlin in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by P. Harris in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
The importance of correct feeding practice has been highlighted by the increasing prevalence of obesity in horses. Human research has suggested that voluntary activity (VA) levels may influence digestible energy (DE) requirements, accounting for 15-50% of human daily energy expenditure. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether levels of non-structured exercise differed between stabled horses with similar bodyweight (BW) and similar structured workloads, but with different estimated DE intakes to maintain their BW. Twelve mature horses were selected based on their estimated DE intake and BW, and were paired according to their BW, breed, estimated DE intake, and structured exercise. Within each pair, one horse (L) was fed a relatively lower estimated DE intake than the other horse (H) to maintain a similar, constant BW and performing similar levels of structured exercise. Estimated DE intake was therefore significantly (P<0.01) different between Group L and Group H. Each pair was observed for 72 h during which structured exercise and non-structured exercise were measured. Heart rate was used as a measure of workload during the structured exercise. Two RT3 accelerometers, located on a roller (RT3-R) and head collar (RT3-H), were used to measure VA levels when stabled in addition to visual observations using focal sampling between 07:00 and 18:00 h. RT3-R and RT3-H activity levels were not significantly (P>0.05) different between individual horses. Median activity counts were significantly (P≤0.001) higher during the day time (06:30-18:29 h) compared to the night time (18:30-06:29 h). However, measured activity using RT3 accelerometers did not show a significant difference between horses in Group L and Group H (P>0.05). It was therefore concluded, that differences in VA levels during stabling could not explain the difference in estimated DE requirements between horses with a similar BW and workload.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 131 | 105 | 14 |
| Full Text Views | 12 | 4 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 19 | 12 | 0 |
