Med. Weter. 68 (11), 676-679, 2012
full text
| Budzyńska M., Krupa W. |
| Effect of novel visual item on behavioral distress in foals separated from their mothers |
| The present study involved the observation and recording of behavior (vocalizing, defecating, moving about, charging door) in 12 pre-weaned Arab foals when the mare was isolated for a short period. The aim of the study was to determine whether the behavioral signs of distress exhibited were reduced if a novel item appeared in the foal’s stall during the period of separation. The behavior of the foals was observed during two 3 min test sessions of dam’s isolation from foal (mare out of stable; no contact with foal): session 1- without environmental modification and session 2 - with environmental modification (the foal’s stall enriched by a visual item: a plastic multicolored ball). Separated foals vocalized significantly (P=0.004) more and charged the door significantly (P=0.02) more times than “environmentally enriched” foals. When exposed to multicoloured ball, the foals showed item directed behaviours. Therefore, the presence of an enriching item in the stall with a pre-weaned Arab foal while its dam was taken for a short period reduced some behavioral signs of distress displayed and could eliminate the risk of injuring itself. |
| Key words: foal, behavior, separation, environmental enrichment |