Box-walking is the
name given to describe characteristic, repetitive pacing movements
that a horse may make around its stable.
The horse typically paces around the sides of the confined area and may seem preoccupied with this behaviour and have difficulty stopping.
Locomotory stereotypies such as weaving and box-walking are considered to reflect aspects of the horse's natural behaviour that are being prevented by the limited stable environment.
Box-walking in particular may reflect the horse's strong motivation to walk and graze, which is limited within a stable
PROBLEMS
Box walking can become problematic in that the horse not only disturbs his bedding but he expends considerable energy and may, in extreme cases, develop asymmetrical musculature if they always walk in the same direction, giving rise to problems in performance under the saddle.
If extremely stressed he may sweat, tremble and even damage himself on the sides of the stable doors/openings in trying to escape the stable.
It may be difficult to manage your horse from within the stable as they find it difficult to stop pacing.
Box-walking may also cause excessive wear of shoes or hooves, particularly if the stable floor is concreted.
However, there is no real evidence that box walking reduces performance in the majority of cases and the term 'vice' is not very helpful
PREVENTION
• Having other horses within the stable or opposite/next to the horse, with which it can interact fully at a social level.
• Lowering the internal walls between stables or if there are problems with unfamiliar individuals being next to each other, placing bars or a grilled window in the separating wall (although note this means that the horses will have direct contact that may be relevant for disease control problems).
• Use of more windows or openings in the stable so that the horse has a wider view of the outside environment and choice.
• Placing a specially designed mirror surface within the stable to mimic visual access to neighbours.
• Increasing forage, ie hay/haylage.
• Barn housing, ie loose group of horses within a barn or yard.
• Provide feeding enrichment, eg a variety of forages in haynets hung around the stable or a foodball, so extending feeding time and acting as a distraction at key times for the behaviour.
For more information
http://www.vetstream.co.uk/fellowes-farm/html/pdf/Factsheets/Horse/24_282013.pdf
The horse typically paces around the sides of the confined area and may seem preoccupied with this behaviour and have difficulty stopping.
Locomotory stereotypies such as weaving and box-walking are considered to reflect aspects of the horse's natural behaviour that are being prevented by the limited stable environment.
Box-walking in particular may reflect the horse's strong motivation to walk and graze, which is limited within a stable
PROBLEMS
Box walking can become problematic in that the horse not only disturbs his bedding but he expends considerable energy and may, in extreme cases, develop asymmetrical musculature if they always walk in the same direction, giving rise to problems in performance under the saddle.
If extremely stressed he may sweat, tremble and even damage himself on the sides of the stable doors/openings in trying to escape the stable.
It may be difficult to manage your horse from within the stable as they find it difficult to stop pacing.
Box-walking may also cause excessive wear of shoes or hooves, particularly if the stable floor is concreted.
However, there is no real evidence that box walking reduces performance in the majority of cases and the term 'vice' is not very helpful
PREVENTION
• Having other horses within the stable or opposite/next to the horse, with which it can interact fully at a social level.
• Lowering the internal walls between stables or if there are problems with unfamiliar individuals being next to each other, placing bars or a grilled window in the separating wall (although note this means that the horses will have direct contact that may be relevant for disease control problems).
• Use of more windows or openings in the stable so that the horse has a wider view of the outside environment and choice.
• Placing a specially designed mirror surface within the stable to mimic visual access to neighbours.
• Increasing forage, ie hay/haylage.
• Barn housing, ie loose group of horses within a barn or yard.
• Provide feeding enrichment, eg a variety of forages in haynets hung around the stable or a foodball, so extending feeding time and acting as a distraction at key times for the behaviour.
For more information
http://www.vetstream.co.uk/fellowes-farm/html/pdf/Factsheets/Horse/24_282013.pdf
No comments:
Post a Comment