REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Conformational traits are important in breeding, since they may be indicative for performance ability and susceptibility to injuries. OBJECTIVES: To study whether certain desired conformational traits of foals are related to lateralised behaviour while foraging and to the development of uneven feet. METHODS: Twenty-four Warmblood foals, born and raised at the same location, were studied for a year. Foraging behaviour was observed by means of weekly 10 min scan-sampling for 8 h. A preference test (PT) was developed to serve as a standardised tool to determine laterality. The foals were evaluated at age 3, 15, 27 and 55 weeks. The PT and distal limb conformation were used to study the relation between overall body conformation, laterality and the development of uneven feet. Pressure measurements were used to determine the loading patterns under the feet. RESULTS: About 50% of the foals developed a significant preference to protract the same limb systematically while grazing, which resulted in uneven feet and subsequently uneven loading patterns. Foals with relatively long limbs and small heads were predisposed to develop laterality and, consequently unevenness. CONCLUSIONS: Conformational traits may stimulate the development of laterality and therefore indirectly cause uneven feet.
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Conformational traits are important in breeding, since they may be indicative for performance ability and susceptibility to injuries. OBJECTIVES: To study whether certain desired conformational traits of foals are related to lateralised behaviour while foraging and to the development of uneven feet. METHODS: Twenty-four Warmblood foals, born and raised at the same location, were studied for a year. Foraging behaviour was observed by means of weekly 10 min scan-sampling for 8 h. A preference test (PT) was developed to serve as a standardised tool to determine laterality. The foals were evaluated at age 3, 15, 27 and 55 weeks. The PT and distal limb conformation were used to study the relation between overall body conformation, laterality and the development of uneven feet. Pressure measurements were used to determine the loading patterns under the feet. RESULTS: About 50% of the foals developed a significant preference to protract the same limb systematically while grazing, which resulted in uneven feet and subsequently uneven loading patterns. Foals with relatively long limbs and small heads were predisposed to develop laterality and, consequently unevenness. CONCLUSIONS: Conformational traits may stimulate the development of laterality and therefore indirectly cause uneven feet.
Authors: Nathan Wiggers; Sandra L P Nauwelaerts; Sarah Jane Hobbs; Sophie Bool; Claudia F Wolschrijn; Willem Back Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-02-03 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: F M Bragança; S Bosch; J P Voskamp; M Marin-Perianu; B J Van der Zwaag; J C M Vernooij; P R van Weeren; W Back Journal: Equine Vet J Date: 2016-12-13 Impact factor: 2.888
Authors: Sarah Jane Hobbs; Sandra Nauwelaerts; Jonathan Sinclair; Hilary M Clayton; Willem Back Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-08-29 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Giuseppe Spinella; Domenico Britti; Giovanni Loprete; Vincenzo Musella; Noemi Romagnoli; Jose M Vilar; Simona Valentini Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-07-21 Impact factor: 3.240