Paddock Behaviors and Dominance Relationships of Young Male Horses the First Hour in the Morning and Again in the Afternoon

Abstract

The time budget, frequency of physiological necessities and factors related to dominance rank were studied in Cold Blooded Breed (CBB) and Warm Blooded Breed (WBB) male horses. The subjects were investigated during the 1st h in a paddock after confinement in the morning and again in the afternoon. Proportion of feeding. was the largest among time budget activities and significantly different (p<0.05) between observation periods. Proportions of locomotion, resting and playing were statistically different (p<0.05; p<0.01 and p<0.001) between both breeds and both observation periods. No differences were found for living activities such feeding, drinking and elimination (urination and defecation) between the CBB and WBB horses. Dominance hierarchy was linear and positively correlated (p<0.01) with weight but not serum testosterone levels and age. The results showed that feeding activity was very important at the 1st h in the paddock. Additionally, the weight of the colts had an effect on dominance rank.