Proximity between horses in large groups in an open stable system - Analysis of spatial and temporal proximity definitions
Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
Standard
Proximity between horses in large groups in an open stable system - Analysis of spatial and temporal proximity definitions. / Hildebrandt, Frederik; Buettner, Kathrin; Salau, Jennifer; Krieter, Joachim; Czycholl, Irena.
I: Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Bind 242, 105418, 09.2021.Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
Harvard
APA
Vancouver
Author
Bibtex
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
T1 - Proximity between horses in large groups in an open stable system - Analysis of spatial and temporal proximity definitions
AU - Hildebrandt, Frederik
AU - Buettner, Kathrin
AU - Salau, Jennifer
AU - Krieter, Joachim
AU - Czycholl, Irena
PY - 2021/9
Y1 - 2021/9
N2 - The aim of this study was to determine the most suitable and practical definition of spatial and temporal proximities between grouped-housed horses by comparing GPS position data. In total, 43 horses held in a "HIT Active Stable (R)" were equipped with GPS loggers. Different definitions of spatial (< 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 m) and temporal proximity (< 10, 30, 60, 90, 120 s interruptions between recording points) were investigated for morning pasture periods of 30 days analyzing proximity lengths, number of proximities as well as the network parameters density and fragmentation. With increasing spatial proximity definition, the duration of proximities rose from 9 % (4 compared to 5 m) to 76 % (1 compared to 2 m). The number of proximities also increased accordingly. Ascending temporal proximity definitions provided a lower number of proximities by 13-21 % (10 s to 30 s) depending on the spatial definition and the proximities became longer. Further, with higher spatial proximity definition, the network density ascended and fragmentation decreased, which shows that more horses had proximities and group formation occurred. We identified a proximity definition of 3 m for at least 60 s as the most useful solution because of a decreasing change in proximity length and number due to biological and technical restrictions. Further, it is suspected that this approach helps to better characterize the group formation of horses kept in groups.
AB - The aim of this study was to determine the most suitable and practical definition of spatial and temporal proximities between grouped-housed horses by comparing GPS position data. In total, 43 horses held in a "HIT Active Stable (R)" were equipped with GPS loggers. Different definitions of spatial (< 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 m) and temporal proximity (< 10, 30, 60, 90, 120 s interruptions between recording points) were investigated for morning pasture periods of 30 days analyzing proximity lengths, number of proximities as well as the network parameters density and fragmentation. With increasing spatial proximity definition, the duration of proximities rose from 9 % (4 compared to 5 m) to 76 % (1 compared to 2 m). The number of proximities also increased accordingly. Ascending temporal proximity definitions provided a lower number of proximities by 13-21 % (10 s to 30 s) depending on the spatial definition and the proximities became longer. Further, with higher spatial proximity definition, the network density ascended and fragmentation decreased, which shows that more horses had proximities and group formation occurred. We identified a proximity definition of 3 m for at least 60 s as the most useful solution because of a decreasing change in proximity length and number due to biological and technical restrictions. Further, it is suspected that this approach helps to better characterize the group formation of horses kept in groups.
KW - Animal social network
KW - Network criteria
KW - Horse
KW - Group housing
KW - GPS
KW - Open stable systems
KW - SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS
KW - FERAL HORSES
KW - AGONISTIC BEHAVIOR
KW - ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
KW - ASSOCIATION
KW - PARAMETERS
KW - COLLARS
KW - ECOLOGY
KW - HERD
KW - PIGS
U2 - 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105418
DO - 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105418
M3 - Journal article
VL - 242
JO - Applied Animal Behaviour Science
JF - Applied Animal Behaviour Science
SN - 0168-1591
M1 - 105418
ER -
ID: 328014385