Animals
- A total of 153 horses and ponies from seven different stables in Östergotland, Sweden, were recruited to participate in this study.
- Icelandic A: 16 riding school Icelandic horses
- Icelandic B: 14 riding school Icelandic horses
- Icelandic C: 13 riding school Icelandic horses and 12 riding school Shetland ponies
- Riding School D: 46 horses and ponies of varied breeds
- Riding School E: 23 horses and ponies of varied breeds
- Trotter F: 16 Swedish Trotters
- Trotter G: 13 Swedish Trotters
- Horses’ ages ranged from 3 to 28 years
Hair cortisol analysis
- Two hair samples were collected from each horse. A strand of mane was cut behind the head collar position using scissors and a second sample was cut using clippers on the left side of the horse, in front of the withers and above the scapula (see figure below).
- Cortisol extraction and analysis were carried out in the laboratory, the latter was done using radioimmunoassay
Behaviour observations & questionnaires
- Behaviour observations were held in all stables in the autumn, when the horses were in groups on pasture
- An adaptation of the horse personaliry questionnaire (HPQ) as well as a survey inquiring lifestyle and management were sent out to stable managers
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Director of undergraduate studies Biology
Last updated:
05/03/18