Behavioral and heart rate responses to novel stimuli in Arabian mares: Effects of age and sireM. Budzynska, J. Kamieniak, W. Krupa and M. SapulaDepartment of Ethology and Technological Basis of Animal Production, Agricultural University of Lublin, Lublin, PolandFifty-four Arabian mares (aged 2-15 years) were subjected to an excitability test consisting of 3 sessions. Every horse was introduced into:
Horse behavior in every session was assessed according to point scale. Individuals evaluated from 1 to 8 points were categorized as excitable ones, from 9 to 15 points as mediumexcitable and from 16 to 20 points as quiet ones. Every horse was equipped with a heart rate (HR) monitor to determine HR level. The most violent response (behavior 10.7±3.0 points, HR 136.9±35.9 beats/min) to optic stimulus was shown by 2-5 years old mares and a significantly (p<0.05) lower response (13.0±3.7 points, 111.7±34.3 beats/min, respectively) in 6-9 years old mares was found. Significance of differences between average scores was assessed by the t-student test. According to pedigree analysis the mares were divided into 6 sire lines. Significant differences in horse behavior to optic (p<0.05) and acoustic (p<0.01) stimulus between mares of stallion ‘Arbil line’ and mares of stallion ‘Eldon’ were found. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in HR response to optic stimulus between particular sire groups. We conclude that an age and a sire origin had an impact on behavioral and HR response to novel stimuli in horses. Furthermore, differences in reactivity according to sire origin should be considered in breeding plans that is especially important for breeding Arabian horses which are relatively not numerous and genetically consolidated. Paper presented at Measuring Behavior 2005 , 5th International Conference on Methods and Techniques in Behavioral Research, 30 August - 2 September 2005, Wageningen, The Netherlands. © 2005 Noldus Information Technology bv |