Effects of handling on behaviour and heart rate in Konik horses: comparison of stable and forest reared youngstock

Thirty foals and young Konik horses born in 3 consecutive years and reared up to weaning either in a forest reserve (R) or conventional stable (S) wer e compared with respect to behavioural reactions and heart rate (HR) during handling manipulations. The foals were randomly allocated within sex and r earing group to one of two handling treatments. Intensively handled (IH) fo als received a 10-min handling, 5 days/week, beginning at the age of 2 week s (S foals) or 10 months (R foals), and lasting up to the age of 24 months. During handling IH foals were haltered, touched, rubbed and their feet wer e picked up; non-handled (NH) foals were not handled except for routine or emergency veterinary care. The horses were tested at the age of approximate ly 6 months (S only) and 12, 18 and 24 months of age. In a test comprising catching the horse on a paddock, leading away from and towards the stable, picking up feet and being approached by an unfamiliar person, the horses' b ehaviour was scored and the HR was recorded telemetrically. The IH horses s cored better as far as manageability behaviour is concerned(P < 0.001) and demonstrated lower HR than the NH ones and the S horses scored better than R ones (P < 0.001). Fillies demonstrated higher HR than colts (P = 0.007). Youngstock of all groups tended to be less manageable at the age of 24 mont hs than at 18 months. Differences between youngstock stemming from particul ar harems from the reserve seem to be related to differences in accidental contact with people visiting the forest reserve. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.