Preliminary behavioural study of Caballo Fino Chilote stallions with restricted access to space and water during summer

Abstract

The Caballo Fino Chilote (CFCh) is the only Chilean pony breed and a unique genetic resource. A group of seven CFCh stallions were observed for 60 hours, during summer, at INIA- Butalcura research station, Chiloé Island, under restricted space and access to water conditions. Scan sampling every five minutes was used to register 5 behavioural states and continuous focal sampling for 19 behavioural events. Inter-male interactions had a low frequency of presentation being avoidance (1.2 average events per stallion per day) the most common. Overall stallions spent 55.89% (± 4.3%) of their time foraging, 2.5% (± 0.82%) in locomotion, 7.26% (± 0.82%) standing alert, 32.24% (± 2.7%) resting and 1.86% (± 0.64) in other behaviours. Foraging was the main activity, its occurrence was significantly lower (P < 0.05) during midday, time when resting was significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared to the morning and afternoon periods. Locomotion, standing alert and other behaviours had a constant distribution during the day. A significant positive correlation between temperature and resting was found while there was a significant negative correlation between temperature and foraging. The present study is a first attempt in describing behavioural characteristics of CFCh stallions. Distribution of their activities during day time is comparable to those of other free ranging horses. Emphasis is made on the fact that the restricted access to water, that these horses were subjected to, is of ethical concern and a risk for their wellbeing. More studies in relation to behaviour are needed in order to classify this breed according to temperament and possible uses.