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Paul Koene presents Oral paper 31
In Session 6: Free topics
Friday, 12 September 2008 from 16h30-16h45 in the Aula chaired by Elisabetta Canali
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Oral paper 31
ASYMMETRY IN GRAZING BEHAVIOUR IN GROUPS OF FERAL,
RIDING AND PROFESSIONAL SPORT HORSES
P. Koene, C. Munsters, J. van Leeuwen
Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
In a recent study it was shown that horses with longer legs and smaller heads have more difficulties
in reaching the ground for grazing. As a consequence they may show asymmetrical grazing
behaviour. Asymmetry and lateralisation in behaviour may also be related with asymmetry in
physical characteristics. This is often called fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and may be indicative of a
variety of stress and genetic factors.
The purpose of this study was to record differences and asymmetries in lateral grazing behaviour
and morphology in horses. The asymmetry was investigated on an individual and on a population
level. Four groups of twenty horses were studied: koniks, normal riding horses, professional sport
horses (dressage and jumping horses). Per horse fifty grazing steps were recorded with a digital
video camera and analyzed for differences in standing and lifting up duration of the forelimbs. Back
asymmetry was measured with a back gauge, but not in koniks.
No FA and lateralisation in grazing behaviour at the population level was found. Konik horses
showed less behavioural asymmetry in protracting, lifting up and standing time of both forelimbs
than the horses of the other three groups (Chi-square=8.98, df=3, p