Swimming Behavior Characteristics in Horses and Their Impact On Pregnancy Rates

Year 2025, Volume: 22 Issue: 1, 205 - 220

Yavuzkan Paksoy , Nazan Koluman , Serap Goncu

https://doi.org/10.33462/jotaf.1514717

Abstract

In this study, the swimming behaviors of 20 Thoroughbred mares living in a private horse farm in Ulukışla district of Niğde and the effect of swimming on pregnancy rate were investigated. 20 English breed horses between the ages of 4-18 and without any health problems that would prevent them from getting pregnant were included in the study. The horses included in the study had no previous swimming experience. A veterinarian specialized in equine medicine collected the data by examining the observations and camera recordings. The behaviors of the horses around and inside the pool were observed. The pregnancy rate was determined by dividing the number of pregnant horses for each group by the total number of horses. The necessary graphs and tables were created with Microsoft Excel and SPSS statistical package programs to explain and analyze the statistical descriptive characteristics of the camera recordings and observation results. In the presented study, the analysis of pregnancy rates in the swimming group and the control group was performed using the Chi-square method with the SPSS statistical program. 19 of the 20 horses (95%) that were made to swim in the pool and 7 of the 12 horses (58.33%) that were made to swim in the pool became pregnant. The results revealed a range of behaviours including initial reactions to the pool, swimming techniques and post-swim activities. In particular, horses displayed a mixture of curiosity, attention and exploration when first introduced to the water, with the majority taking a measured and cautious approach during pool entry. Swimming behaviours were characterised by alertness, directional tendencies and vocalisations reflecting natural instincts and adaptability. Post-swim activities such as tail wagging, shaking and nose touching provided information on physical adaptation, moving away from the water and potential social or self-comforting behaviours. These findings contribute to the understanding of the behaviour of horses in aquatic environments and highlight the importance of welfare considerations in water-based activities for horses. Furthermore, addressing their natural behaviours and needs improves reproductive performance by an average of 37%. Further research may explore the specific triggers behind the observed behaviours, improve our understanding of equine behaviour in aquatic environments and encourage optimal care practices.

Keywords

Behavior, Horse, Pregnancy rate, Performance, Swimming patterns

Ethical Statement

In this study, routine breeding in stud farms practices have not been deviated from. Data obtained in these study within the scope of these applications for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes Concerning the Welfare and Protection of Animals Used Regulation (Official No. 28141 dated 13.12.2011, Gazette) article 2, second paragraph: “This Regulation, non-experimental agricultural and clinical veterinarian In accordance with the provision does not cover applications’, the scope since it is outside the Ministry (T.R. Adana Governorship Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, Number: E-74530962-325.99-13486280) is not subject to permission.

Thanks

The authors are appreciative of the attention that horse owners have given to our research.

Atlarda Yüzme Davranışı Özellikleri ve Gebelik Oranları Üzerindeki Etkileri

Abstract

Bu çalışmada, Niğde'nin Ulukışla ilçesindeki özel bir at çiftliğinde yaşayan 20 Safkan kısrağın yüzme davranışları ve yüzmenin gebelik oranı üzerine etkisi incelenmiştir. Yaşları 4-18 aralığında olan ve gebe kalmaları için herhangi bir sağlık problemi bulunmayan 20 baş İngiliz ırkı at çalışmaya dahil edilmiştir. Çalışmaya dahil edilen atların daha önce yüzme deneyimi olmamıştır. At hekimliği konusunda uzman veteriner hekim gözlem ve kamera kayıtlarını inceleyerek verileri toplamıştır. Atların havuzun çevresinde ve içerisinde sergiledikleri davranışları gözlemlenmiştir. Gebelik oranı, her grup için gebe at sayısının toplam at sayısına bölünmesiyle belirlendi. Kamera kayıtlarının ve gözlem sonuçlarının istatistiksel tanımlayıcı özelliklerini açıklamak ve analiz etmek için gerekli grafik ve tablolar Microsoft Excel ve SPSS istatistik paket programları ile oluşturulmuştur. Sunulan çalışmada, yüzme grubu ve kontrol grubundaki gebelik oranlarının analizi SPSS istatistik programı ile Ki-kare yöntemi kullanılarak yapılmıştır. Havuzda yüzdürülen 20 atın 19’u (%95), kontrol grubunu oluşturan 12 atın 7’si (%58.33) gebe kalmıştır. Sonuçlar, havuza ilk tepkiler, yüzme teknikleri ve yüzme sonrası aktiviteler de dahil olmak üzere bir dizi davranışı ortaya koymuştur. Özellikle, atlar suyla ilk kez karşılaştıklarında merak, dikkat ve keşfin bir karışımını göstermiş, çoğunluğu havuza giriş sırasında ölçülü ve temkinli bir yaklaşım sergilemiştir. Yüzme davranışları, doğal içgüdüleri ve uyum kabiliyetini yansıtan uyanıklık, yön eğilimleri ve vokallerle karakterize edildi. Kuyruk sallama, silkinme ve buruna dokunma gibi yüzme sonrası aktiviteler fiziksel uyum, sudan uzaklaşma ve potansiyel sosyal veya kendini rahatlatma davranışları hakkında bilgi sağlamıştır. Bu bulgular, atların su ortamlarındaki davranışlarının anlaşılmasına katkıda bulunmakta ve atlar için su temelli faaliyetlerde refah hususlarının önemini vurgulamaktadır. Ayrıca, doğal davranışlarını ve ihtiyaçlarını ele alarak üreme performansını ortalama %37 oranında artırmaktadır. Daha fazla araştırma, gözlemlenen davranışların ardındaki belirli tetikleyicileri keşfedebilir, su ortamlarındaki at davranışlarına ilişkin anlayışımızı geliştirebilir ve en uygun bakım uygulamalarını teşvik edebilir.

Keywords

Davranış, At, Gebelik oranı, Performans, Yüzme modelleri

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