Data di Pubblicazione:
2016
Citazione:
Efficacy of a Feed Dispenser for Horses in Decreasing Cribbing Behaviour / S. Mazzola, C. Palestrini, S. Cannas, E. Fè, G.L. Bagnato, D. Vigo, D. Frank, M. Minero. - In: VETERINARY MEDICINE INTERNATIONAL. - ISSN 2042-0048. - 2016:(2016 Oct), pp. 4698602.1-4698602.6. [10.1155/2016/4698602]
Abstract:
Cribbing is an oral stereotypy, tends to develop in captive animals as a means to cope with stress, and may be indicative of reduced
welfare.Highly energetic diets ingested in a short time are one of themost relevant risk factors for the development of cribbing. The
aim of this study was to verify whether feeding cribbing horses through a dispenser that delivers small quantities of concentrate
when activated by the animal decreases cribbing behaviour, modifies feeding behaviour, or induces frustration. Ten horses (mean
age 14 y), balanced for sex, breed, and size (mean height 162 cm),were divided into two groups of 5 horses each: Cribbing and Control.
Animals were trained to use the dispenser and videorecorded continuously for 15 consecutive days from 1 h prior to feeding to 2 h
after feeding in order to measure their behaviours.The feed dispenser, Quaryka, induced an increase in time necessary to finish
the ration in both groups of horses ( < 0.05). With Quaryka, cribbers showed a significant reduction of time spent cribbing
( < 0.05). After removal of the feed dispenser (Post-Quaryka), cribbing behaviour significantly increased. The use of Quaryka
may be particularly beneficial in horses fed high-energy diets and ingesting the food too quickly.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
horses; cribbing; stereotypy
Elenco autori:
S. Mazzola, C. Palestrini, S. Cannas, E. Fè, G.L. Bagnato, D. Vigo, D. Frank, M. Minero
Link alla scheda completa: