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Pawing by standardbred racehorses: frequency and patterns.

Christina L Butler1, Katherine Albro Houpt1

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Pawing behavior is common in Standardbred racehorses, occurring more frequently after training sessions. This suggests a potential link between exercise, discomfort, and pawing in these equine athletes.

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Area of Science:

  • Equine Science
  • Animal Behavior
  • Veterinary Medicine

Background:

  • Pawing is a stereotypic behavior observed in horses.
  • Understanding the triggers for pawing is crucial for equine welfare.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of pawing behavior in Standardbred racehorses.
  • To investigate the relationship between pawing frequency and time of day, specifically before and after training.

Main Methods:

  • Observational study using instantaneous scan sampling.
  • 41 Standardbred racehorses were observed twice daily (morning and afternoon).
  • Data collected on pawing frequency and its relation to training schedule.

Main Results:

  • Pawing behavior was observed in 58.5% of the horses.
  • Pawing frequency was significantly higher in the afternoon after training (P=0.0005).
  • Pawing occurred less on Sunday afternoons when horses did not train.

Conclusions:

  • Pawing behavior is prevalent in Standardbred racehorses.
  • The increased frequency after training suggests a link to exercise or associated discomfort.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the underlying causes of pawing in racehorses.