The effect of shelter design on shelter use by Icelandic horses in the winter period

This study investigates shelter use by Icelandic horses kept outdoors 24 h a day during the winter in Denmark, and whether shelter use and levels of fecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) are affected by (i) the number of entrances (one vs. two) and (ii) a partition inside the shelter. The effects of weather conditions on shelter use are also investigated. Thirty-two Icelandic horses participated in the study. The horses were pastured in eight groups of four horses, and each group had access to a shelter (30 m2), which in the first study period (5 weeks, Dec-Jan) had either one or two entrances (n = four groups per treatment).
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Source Type: research