Inaug.-diss.-Bern. / "Literatur": leaf folliwing p. 28.

Inaug.-diss.-Bern. / Lebenslauf. "Literatur": p. [55]-56.

Thesis--Wisconsin. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 11).

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--Auburn University, 2009. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 27-33).

Thesis (PhD)-Open University. BLDSC no.DX189943.

No description available.

This dissertation is the product of two behaviour studies and an in vitro fermentation trial. Both behaviour studies were conducted at the Ashburton Racehorse-Training Centre in Ashburton, near Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu- Natal. The first behaviour study evaluated differences in behaviours obtained through feeding either twice or four times daily. This trial showed (P<O.OO1) that horses fed twice a day spend a greater proportion of their day in stereotypic or vice-like behaviours. Horses eating four times a day ate less hay (P<O.OO1) and more concentrate (P<O.05) than horses being fed twice a day. Horses in both yards ate more hay (P<O.05) when exercise intensity was increased. Defecation frequency was higher on days when exercise intensity was high (P<O.05) and in the yard where horses were fed four times per day (P<O.O1). Faecal weight was greater (P<O.05), horses lay down more frequently (P<O.05), spent more time eating concentrate (P<O.OO1) and less time eating hay (P<O.OO1) when horses were fed four times per day. Fillies spent more time (P<O.05) eating hay than geldings. The second behaviour study was conducted within one yard only and considered the effects of changes in management strategies on the incidence of stereotypic behaviour. The results did not indicate that changes in management related to exercise intensity would have an effect on behaviours exhibited. However this trial did demonstrate that a reduction in feed intake on days when exercise is reduced will reduce the incidence of stereotypic behaviours. Horses reduced the time spent eating hay when exercise was reduced except that when feeding frequency was reduced in conjunction with reduced exercise, more time was then spent eating hay (P<O.OO1). It was found that fillies spent more time licking surfaces (P<O.OO1) and weaving (P<O.O1) than geldings, which were more aggressive (P<O.OO1) and ate more bedding (P<O.05) than the fillies. All the horses were more alert (P<O.OO1) on days of moderate exercise except when feed was reduced in conjunction with reduced exercise, so that horses were less alert (P<O.OO1) and more time resting (P<O.OO1). The in vitro study was conducted at the department of Animal and Poultry Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg. This was a dilution trial, using different ratios of maize and Eragrostis curvula. It was shown that as the proportion of maize in the ration was increased so the digestibility and the degradability of the ration increased (P<O.OO1). It was also shown that the adapted two stage digestion techniques described by Tilley & Terry (1963) had lower supernatant pH levels than the samples that underwent microbial digestion only. This was accounted for by a problem with the methodology. The trial had hoped to show a dramatic decrease in pH and increased rates of gas production when the maize portion of the sample was increased. From the results established during this trial it is clear that application exists in the adoption of this method in in vitro feed analysis in the horse industry.· The behaviour studies significantly linked the incidence of stereotypic behaviour to feeding and nutritional management in racehorses. Some explanations of the noted behaviours can be elucidated through the development of in vitro protocols, where hindgut pH, degradability and fermentation of different ration mixtures elicit responses in physical terms. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

Lameness is the most common medical complaint amongst domestic horses. Consequently, lameness assessment skills are expected of veterinary graduates as a day one skill by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. However, recognising lameness is inherently difficult, especially for mild cases: even experienced assessors regularly disagree on the affected limb. The impact of a resulting misdiagnosis can be profound for both horse and owner. Even today, the biomechanical changes associated with lameness and the mechanisms of subjective clinical decision making are far from understood. Not surprisingly, there is currently no standardised way to teach students the 'art' of lameness detection. Hence, this thesis investigated core elements of the lameness examination in the framework of task analysis, combining biomechanics, vision science and educational research. Mechanical principles of movement asymmetry adaptations associated with locomotion of sound and lame horses on the straight, circle and after flexion tests were investigated. Subjective perception and objective quantification of asymmetry were compared, ranging from detection thresholds of naIve observers to factors influencing experienced veterinarians. Student performance at different stages was evaluated to understand the foundations students bring to future training. Expert visual approaches to lameness detection were quantified by means of eyetracking, investigating whether general principles can be derived to guide teaching. This work showed that it is possible to model and consequently simplify movement adaptations during lameness for future computer based training tools, however a systematic asymmetry bias of sound horses during lunging and after limb flexion needs to be considered. Differences between visual perception and objective quantification of asymmetry highlight the need for further exploration of perception-based diagnostics. While experts used relatively similar approaches when examining horses on the straight, there were considerable differences during assessment on the circle; in future, it would be of benefit to. develop a reliable and uniform assessment strategy.