4 minute read
‘Social boxes’
by hqmagazine
TEXT: SHELLEY WOLHUTER IMAGES: COURTESY OF GUT SCHÖNWEIDE
OFFER HOPE FOR STALLION SOCIALISATION
It is no secret that horses are social creatures. If given a choice, a horse will always choose to be with other horses. It is one of their basic needs, just like it is one of ours. It seems fair to assume that in light of current times, humans as a species have realised the fundamental need for socialisation and the potential mental health risks associated with a lack thereof. Therefore, now is as good a time as ever to reflect on the basic needs of our beloved equines.
As horse owners, we try to do everything we can to fulfil our horses’ needs, and for the most part, it is a relatively simple feat. For stallion owners, however, this is not the case. Of course, food, water, exercise, shelter and safety are easily attainable, but what about socialisation?
RESEARCH
Research conducted by the Swiss National Stud farm, in Avenches, in 2016 showed huge promise for stallions
A Franches-Montagnes breeding stallion.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Franches-Montagnes, also know as the Freiberger, is an indigenous Swiss breed. It has been described as a ‘heavy warmblood’ and a ‘light draught’.
A Franches-Montagnes breeding stallion.
and the possibility of successful socialisation. The study introduced the concept of ‘social boxes’. Social boxes are large stables that allow for increased socialisation between two horses in neighbouring stables. The adjoining wall contains vertical metal bars spaced 30cm apart. A horse can fit their head, neck and legs through the bars, but not the shoulders. The design aims to allow horses to interact and mutually groom while limiting potentially aggressive contact and thus reducing the risk of possible injuries.
Sixteen Franches-Montagnes breeding stallions were stabled in ‘conventional boxes’ for three weeks and then in ‘social boxes’ for three weeks. After the stallions were fully acclimatised, they were observed for 24 hours, and their behaviour was documented. Potential injuries were recorded weekly. Positive and negative interactions were recorded, and the findings showed an interesting difference.
In the conventional boxes, the average total interaction time was 5 minutes per day. Of those five minutes, 14% of the interactions were considered negative. In the social boxes, the total average interaction time was 51 minutes per day. Of those 51 minutes, 13% were considered negative. Overall, the total interaction time between stallions was significantly higher in the social boxes. The study reported that “No grievous injuries were recorded.”
Some minor coat injuries were noted above some of the stallions’ eyes due to banging the bars. However, that issue could be easily resolved with a design update, such as adding some padding around the bars.
AN UPDATE
The concepts have since been further researched, tested and developed. In fact, German dressage sport horse stud Gut Schönweide, based in Schleswig Holstein, embraced this concept with great success. The stallion boxes at Gut Schönweide are 5m x 5m and have one social grid area between two stallions so that they have access to a stablemate on one side only. The opposite side of the box has a full wall so that stallions are not hounded from both sides and have the option to retreat and rest, undisturbed. This also offers the chance to test out different stallion pairs and fine-tune the stallions’ suitable stablemates. Unsurprisingly, stallions are known to form friendships and have preferred companions.
The boxes at Gut Schönweide also have feeding bars in the front of the stable, facing the aisle. This allows for even more social interaction between all of the horses in the barn whilst eating hay. In the early stages of introducing the social boxes, Sonja Kruck of Gut Schönweide reports that the stallions were bandaged as a precaution. A few minor bite marks were observed, and a few blankets were destroyed, but the stallions settled in quickly. In fact, she reports that no real aggression was observed at all, even in the breeding season.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Gut Schönweide has set a fantastic example of what is possible for our horses if we trust science and research and constantly strive to improve the lives and welfare of our horses. It will be exciting to see which South African stud embraces this concept first!
DID YOU KNOW The most popular breed of horse in the world is the American Quarter Horse!
DID YOU KNOW?
The Yonaguni horse is a critically endangered Japanese small horse breed. It hails from Okinawa’s Yonaguni Island. The breed was initially used for farm work and transport purposes. Today it is used for teaching in local schools and recreational riding.
For more information, please contact Michelle on 073 071 7757 or email michelle@monaghanequestrian.com
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