Equine behaviour: Making friends horse-style

Scientists are investigating how long it takes for horses not previously acquainted with each other to become buddies.

How long does it take before integration is complete? And how do you measure it? Humans are not the only ones that these kinds of questions can be related to. Horses are in on it too and that is why scientists at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Aarhus have started looking for some answers.

"Many people are worried about putting horses that don’t know each other together. There are many things that can affect how well it goes. With better knowledge of horse behaviour it is easier to give advice", explains scientist Eva Søndergaard from the Department of Animal, Health, Welfare and Nutrition at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Aarhus.

It is not always easy to be the ”new kid on the block” – and that goes for horses too. You are a stranger to the others and their internal relations. You are on the outside, not part of the clique. The ”old ones” and the ”new ones” need to get acquainted but in most normal social relations all it takes is a bit of time before the ice is broken and you are accepted into the group.

In the case of horses, the “old” horses keep the “new” horse apart from the group. The new one might even be subjected to a few unfriendly kicks, bites or shoves. Precisely which behaviour familiar and unfamiliar horses show towards each other when they are put together is what the scientists have set out to study. They also want to see how long it takes before the horses become confident with each other and what behaviour they exhibit before and after integration in the group is complete.

When do you become friends?

The research horses are in groups of three in the pastures – two horses that are familiar with each other and one that is the “stranger”.

In one of the trials, the scientists are studying what happens when one of the two horses familiar with each other is led away and hidden behind some bales of straw. How does the other ”familiar” horse react? Does it dash straight off to look for its buddy? Or has the “new” horse become so well- integrated in the trio that it is company enough? And how long does it take before the trio gets to that point?

"There are many aspects to consider in studies of horse behaviour in groups. The horses’ personalities, their sex, age, rank and the ratio of familiar to unfamiliar horses in the group can all affect how they act", explains Eva Søndergaard.

It is therefore important to carry out the studies on many groups of horses.

The studies are being carried out as part of a postdoctoral project from the Danish Agricultural and Veterinary Research Council.