Factors affecting body conditions of New Forest ponies

Gill, Elaine Lesley (1987) Factors affecting body conditions of New Forest ponies. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Abstract

The seasonal cycle of body condition shown by free-ranging ponies in the New Forest, southern England, may be due to (a) wholly gross environmental factors, (b) wholly an endogenous rhythm of (c) local environmental factors acting on (a) or (b). Should (c) be the case, then this has implications for the future management of the ponies' environment.Monthly external assessments of condition of 200--400 ponies were made from November 1982 to August 1985. An internal assessment of condition by Kidney Fat Index was made for a further 190 corpses during this period. Both assessments show deterioration in condition from December until late spring, when improvement in condition of non-lactating ponies begins, with best condition being attained by all ponies in autumn.Four populations of ponies resident in vegetationally different areas of the Forest were studied. Condition varied significantly both between and within populations, so suggesting that the local environment affects condition. Significant differences in habitat use related to habitat availability are shown between populations; within populations, habitat use also varies significantly but this is mainly due to individual preferences. For both populations and individuals, significant relationships are shown between the use of certain habitats and condition. A habitat offers both food and shelter; to determine the relative importance of food, a comparison of the diet of individuals is made which shows significant relationships between the consumption of certain foodstuffs and condition. However, fewer foodstuffs than habitats are associated with condition and this suggests that the use of a habitat for shelter is also important. Furthermore, habitats associated with good condition either offer shelter or occur in sheltered areas. Evidence from the present and a previous study (Putman et al., 1981) suggests that habitat use and diet affect condition rather than vice versa.Comparisons of behaviour patterns between and within populations show that good condition is generally associated with increased inactivity and poor condition with increased feeding, especially in winter. This relationship may be cause and/or effect.The above associations with condition do not completely explain the individual variation recorded. The effects on condition of age, dentition and parasitic damage to the liver are examined and a significant relationship is shown for the latter. The influence of additional factors, such as genetic variation and quality of early life are suggested.Reproductive status affects condition, especially during lactation when much condition may be lost. Condition also affects reproduction: poor condition significantly reduces the chances of conception. It is indicated that especially during lactation, mares may change their patterns of habitat use and behaviour towards those likely to increase intake.Suggestions for the future management of New Forest vegetation and ponies to improve condition are discussed.

This record has no associated files available for download.

Contributors

Download statistics