Health and Welfare of Stabled PMU Mares Under Various Watering Methods and Turnout Schedules: 2. Behavior

S. M. McDonnell, PhD; D. A. Freeman, DVM, PhD; N. F. Cymbaluk, DVM, MSc; Beth Kyle, MSc; H. C. Shott II, DVM, PhD; and K. W. Hinchcliff, BVSc, PhD

    Tie-stalled pregnant mares exhibited similarly normal behavior whether they were watered continuously or by any of three interval watering methods and whether they were provided daily, weekly, or biweekly (every 2 weeks) paddock turnout exercise. All were free of classic stereotypies and other abnormal behavior, which is consistent with observations that tie-stalled horses exhibit lower than equine industry average rates of behavior problems.

Authors’ addresses:
Section of Reproductive Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348 (McDonnell);
Dept. of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Paige Laboratory, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003-6410 (Freeman);
Ayerst Organics, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 7H2, Canada (Cymbaluk and Kyle);
Dept. of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, D-201 Veterinary Medical Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1314 (Schott);
Dept. of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, 601 Vernon L. Tharp St., The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210-1089 (Hinchcliff). © 1998 AAEP.

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