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Frank Ödberg Frank presents Workshop paper 1
In workshop 1: Welfare of riding horses
Friday, 12 September 2008 from 14h00-15h45 in the Aula chaired by Frank Ödberg
176
Workshop paper 1
THE WELFARE OF RIDING HORSES: HOUSING AND MANAGEMENT
PROBLEMS
F.O. Ödberg 1 , M. Pierard 2
1 Department of Animal Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Ghent University,
Merelbeke, Belgium
2 Geelstraat 30, Sint-Truiden, Belgium
Abnormal behaviours such as weaving or cribbiting are considered since several decennia as
consequences of inadequate management and housing and not as simple illnesses of the nervous
system (Brummer, 1978; Fraser, 1974; Kiley, 1977). Furthermore, all epidemiological and
developmental studies agree about a series of factors associated with increased probability of
developing abnormal behaviours, amongst which the most recurrent are: high proportion of
concentrated feed, low proportion of fibrous feed, limited social contact, few exercise, long time
spent stabled, higher temperament, breed differences, weaning procedure (e.g. Bachmann et al.,
2003; Christie et al., 2006; Luescher et al., 1998; McGreevy et al., 1995; Redbo et al., 1998; Waters
et al., 2002).
Although development of ethologically improved stabling for single and group housed horses
started since the eighties (Piotrowski, 1992; Pirkelmann, 1993), their application is still rather scant
in the quite conservative horse world. Horses have been kept in stables and tethered for centuries,
but time spent working was much higher as they represented the most important mean of travelling
and the main source of power. Less exercise and high temperament in modern horses require
adapted housing.
Positive effects of alternatives have been reported in stable groups on e.g. fertility of mares
(Benhadjali, 2007) and training (Sondergaard and Ladewig, 2004). Adequate designs should be
developed when turnover is high (Furst et al, 2006). Some precise aspects still need to be optimized.
E.g. adaptation of computer-controlled feeding stations to the specificity of horse behaviour
(Vervuert and Coenen, 2002), use of different species of forages as a source of variation (Goodwin,
2007) and palatability of flavours in concentrates (Goodwin, 2005).
Individual isolated stabling will always be necessary in some cases (e.g. quarantines, particular
veterinary treatments). However, in many stables, a progressive switch to a more ethological sound
management is possible.
Contact information: Frank Ödberg or email frank.odberg@ugent.be or pierardmarc@hotmail.com
Complete address: Department of Animal Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary
Sciences, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
Species: Horse