Eliminatory behaviour of a bachelor group of Przewalski horses in a semi reserve; comparison with the domestic horse

Redman, Paula and Goodwin, Deborah (1999) Eliminatory behaviour of a bachelor group of Przewalski horses in a semi reserve; comparison with the domestic horse. Harris, P., Goodwin, D. and Green, R.E. (eds.) In Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 28: The Role of the Horse in Europe. Equine Veterinary Journal. p.68 .

Abstract

This study looked at the grazing and defecation behaviour of a bachelor group of Przewalski horses (Equus przewalskii), which was established to explore the possibilities of using stallions to control invasive vegetation on contained Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The group, consisting of two mature stallions and three colts, was observed during summer (June - August) and winter (December - January) months under free-ranging conditions (46.5 hectares). Four of the horses were also studied for a period of four weeks during August - September under enclosed conditions (2.5 hectares). The objectives of the study were 1) to compare dung distribution with continuous behavioural observations to determine whether defecation was random, or whether the horses had latrine areas separate to their main grazing areas, and 2) to determine the effect of enclosure size on the defecation behaviour of these individuals. At each study site, a series of transects was walked and the number of defecations along their length was recorded at weekly intervals. Notes were made on the presence of stud piles and the grazed state of the sward. Behavioural observations were used to determine preferential grazing areas and to differentiate between random defecation, use of latrines and defecation in response to stud piles. The nature of dung distribution (e.g. random, regular or contagious) was determined by calculating a coefficient of variation for each transect. The results showed that dung was randomly distributed along most transects, with a contagious pattern of distribution occurring only on transects where stud piles were prevalent. During the summer months, there was a significant positive correlation ( =0.799, P<0.0001, Spearman rank correlation) between the amount of dung present on a transect and the grazed state of the adjacent sward. Juveniles defecated whilst grazing 84% of the time during the summer, and 96% of the time during the winter under free ranging conditions. Under enclosed conditions, juveniles defecated whilst grazing 57% of the time. Most defecations by mature stallions during the summer were in response to stud piles or occurred as a result of marking behaviour; 67% of their defecations during the winter occurred randomly during periods of grazing. Latrine behaviour has been reported for domestic horses in small enclosures (Ödberg and Francis-Smith, 1977) and also for feral horses grazing on reseeded lawns during the summer in the New Forest (Putman et al, 1987). It has not been reported for other free ranging equids, and was originally thought to occur as a consequence of enclosure and insufficient foraging areas (though this does not explain its occurrence in the New Forest). The horses in this study showed random defecation under both free-ranging and enclosed conditions. This therefore, suggests another hypothesis - that latrine behaviour occurs as a consequence of increased animal density. The onset of this behaviour may occur either as a direct consequence of domestication, or through the breeding of individuals predisposed to show latrine use when animal density is high. This hypothesis may also explain the seasonality of latrine behaviour within the New Forest.References:Ödberg, F.O. and Francis-Smith, K. 1977. Studies on the formation of ungrazed eliminative areas in fields used by horses. Appl. Anim. Ethol., 3: 27-34. Putman, R.J., Pratt, R.M., Ekins, J.R. and Edwards, P.J. 1987. Food and feeding behaviour of cattle and ponies in the New Forest, Hampshire. J. Appl. Ecol., 24: 369-380.

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