Skip to main content
Log in

On the significance of adult play: what does social play tell us about adult horse welfare?

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Naturwissenschaften Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Play remains a mystery and adult play even more so. More typical of young stages in healthy individuals, it occurs rarely at adult stages but then more often in captive/domestic animals, which can imply spatial, social and/or feeding deprivations or restrictions that are challenging to welfare, than in animals living in natural conditions. Here, we tested the hypothesis that adult play may reflect altered welfare states and chronic stress in horses, in which, as in several species, play rarely occurs at adult stages in natural conditions. We observed the behaviour (in particular, social play) of riding school horses during occasional outings in a paddock and measured several stress indicators when these horses were in their individual home boxes. Our results revealed that (1) the number of horses and rates of adult play appeared very high compared to field report data and (2) most stress indicators measured differed between ‘players’ and ‘non-players’, revealing that most ‘playful’ animals were suffering from more chronic stress than ‘non-playful’ horses. Frequency of play behaviour correlated with a score of chronic stress. This first discovery of a relationship between adult play and altered welfare opens new lines of research that certainly deserves comparative studies in a variety of species.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Antonacci D, Norscia I et al (2010) Stranger to familiar: wild strepsirhines manage xenophobia by playing. PLoS One 5(10):e13218. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0013218

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bateson P, Martin P et al (1981) Effects of interrupting cat mothers’ lactation with bromocriptine on the subsequent play of their kittens. Physiol Behav 27:841–845. doi:10.1016/0031-9384(81)90051-2

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bateson P, Mendl M et al (1990) Play in the domestic cats is enhanced by rationing of the mother during lactation. Anim Behav 40:514–525. doi:10.1016/S0003-3472(05)80532-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bekoff M, Byers JA (1998) Animal play. Evolutionary, comparative and ecological perspectives. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Benhajali H, Hausberger M, et al (2007) Behavioural repertoire: its expression according to environmental conditions. In: Martin-Rosset MHaW (ed) Horse behaviour and welfare. EAAP Scientific Series - ISSN 0071-2477, pp. 152

  • Benhajali H, Richard-Yris MA et al (2008) A note on the time budget and social behaviour of densely housed horses—a case study in Arab breeding mares. Appl Anim Behav Sci 112:196–200. doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2007.08.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biben M, Champoux M (1999) Play and stress: cortisol as a negative correlate of play in Saimiri. Play Culture Stud 2:191–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Boissy A, Manteuffel G et al (2007) Assessment of positive emotions in animals to improve their welfare. Physiol Behav 92:375–397

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Broom DM (1991) Animal welfare: concepts and measurement. J Anim Sci 69(10):4167–4175

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burghardt GM (2005) The genesis of animal play. Testing the limits. MIT Press

  • Burn CC, Dennison TL et al (2010) Relationships between behaviour and health in working horses, donkeys, and mules in developing countries. Appl Anim Behav Sci 26:109–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byers JA (1998) Biological effects of locomotor play: getting into shape, or something more specific? In: Bekoff M, Byers JA (eds) Animal play—evolutionary, comparative and ecological perspectives. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 205–220

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Byers JA, Bekoff M (1991) Development, the conveniently forgotten variable in true kin recognition. Anim Behav 41:1088–1090

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cameron EZ, Linklater WL et al (2008) Maternal investment results in better foal condition through increased play behaviour in horses. Anim Behav 76(5):1511–1518. doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2008.07.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carr HA (1902) The survival values of play. Investigations of the department of Psychology and Education of the University of Colorado, 1(2):1–47, Boulder, Colo

  • Cauvin E (1997) Assessment of back pain in horses. Equine Pract 19(10):522–533

    Google Scholar 

  • Christensen JW, Ladewig J et al (2002) Effects of individual versus group stabling on social behaviour in domestic stallions. Appl Anim Behav Sci 75(3):233–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clegg HA, Buckley P et al (2008) The ethological and physiological characteristics of cribbing and weaving horses. Appl Anim Behav Sci 109:68–76. doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2007.02.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corino C, Rossi R et al (2007) Growth performance and oxidative status in piglets supplemented with verbascoside and teupolioside. Ital J Anim Sci 6:292–294

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawkins MS (2003) Behaviour as a tool in the assessment of animal welfare96th annual meeting of the German-Zoological-Society. Urban & Fischer Verlag, Berlin, pp 383–387

    Google Scholar 

  • De Moffarts B, Kirschvink N et al (2005) Physiological and pathological impact of oxidative stress in the equine species. Ann Med Vet 149(1):1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Devinney BJ, Berman CM et al (2003) Individual differences in response to sibling birth among free-ranging yearling rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) on Cayo Santiago. Behaviour 140(7):899–924. doi:10.1163/156853903770238373

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diener A (1985) Behavior analysis of polecats ferrets during social play. Z Tierpsychol 67(114):179–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Donaldson TM, Newberry RC et al (2002) Effects of early play experience on play behaviour of piglets after weaning. Appl Anim Behav Sci 79(3):221–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fagen R (1981) Animal play behavior. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Feh C (2005) Relationships and communication in socially natural horse herd. In: Mills DS, Mc Donnell SM (eds) The domestic horse, the origins, development and management of its behaviour. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 83–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Fonseca BPA, Alves ALG et al (2006) Thermography and ultrasonography in back pain diagnosis of equine athletes. J Equine Vet Sci 26(11):507–516. doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2006.09.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser AF, Broom DM (1990) Farm animal behaviour and welfare. CAB International, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Fureix C, Jego P et al (2009) How horses (Equus caballus) see the world: humans as significant ‘objects’. Anim Cognit 12:643–654

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fureix C, Menguy H et al (2010) Partners with bad temper: reject or cure? A study of chronic pain and aggression in horses. PLoS One 5(8):e12434

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fureix C, Hausberger M et al (2011) Geometric morphometrics for ethologists: improving the comparative study of behavioural postures. Naturwissenchaften 98:583–592. doi:10.1007/s00114-011-0803-2

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goodwin D, Hughes CF (2005) Equine play behaviour. In: Mills D, McDonnell S (eds) The domestic horse—the evolution, development and management of its behaviour. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 150–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Groos K (1898) The play of animals. Appleton, New York

  • Guerra RF, Takase E et al (1999) Play fighting of juvenile golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus): effects of two types of social deprivation and days of testing. Behav Proc 47(3):139–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall SL (1998) Object play by adult animals. In: Bekoff M, Byers JA (eds) Animal play—evolutionary comparative and ecological perspectives. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 45–60

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hall SL, Bradshaw JWS (1998) The influence of hunger on object play by adult domestic cats. Appl Anim Behav Sci 58(1–2):143–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall C, Goodwin D et al (2008) Is there evidence of learned helplessness in horses? J Appl Anim Welf Sci 11(3):249–266. doi:10.1080/10888700802101130

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hansen B (1997) Through a glass darkly: using behaviour to assess pain. Semin vet med surg 12:61–74

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hausberger M, Muller C (2002) A brief note on some possible factors involved in the reactions of horses to humans. Appl Anim Behav Sci 76(4):339–344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hausberger M, Henry S et al (2007) Suckling: a crucial event for mother-young attachment? An experimental study in horses (Equus caballus). J Comp Psychol 121(1):109–112. doi:10.1037/0735-121.1.109

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hausberger M, Roche H et al (2008) A review of the human–horse relationship. Appl Anim Behav Sci 109(1):1–24. doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2007.04.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hausberger M, Fureix C et al (2010) Le jeu: indicateur de bien-être ou de mal-être? 36ème Journée de la Recherche Equine, Paris, 4 mars 2010

  • Haussler KK (1996) The lower back and pelvis of performance horses receive a closer look. J Equine Vet Sci 16:279–281

    Google Scholar 

  • Held S, Spinka M (2011) Animal play and animal welfare. Anim Behav 81(5):891–899. doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.01.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henry S, Hemery D et al (2005) Human–mare relationships and behaviour of foals toward humans. Appl Anim Behav Sci 93(3–4):341–362. doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2005.01.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henry S, Richard-Yris MA et al (2009) Neonatal handling affects durably bonding and social development. PLoS One 4(4):e5216

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hemmann K, Raekallio M et al (2012) Circadian variation in ghrelin and certain stress hormones in crib-biting horses. Vet J (in press). doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2007.02.001

  • Hoffmann R (1985) On the development of social-behavior in immature males of a feral horse population (Equus-przewalskii f caballus). Zeitschrift Fur Saugetierkunde-Int J Mammal Biol 50(5):302–314

    Google Scholar 

  • Holm S (1979) A simple sequentially rejective multiple test procedure. Scand J Stat 6:65–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutson GD, Dickenson LG et al (1993) The response of sows to novel visual, olfactory, auditory and tactile stimuli. Appl Anim Behav Sci 35(3):255–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hutson GD, Ambrose TJ et al (2000) Development of a behavioural test of sensory responsiveness in the growing pig. Appl Anim Behav Sci 66(3):187–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeffcott LB (1980) Disorders of the thoracolumbar spine of the horse. A survey of 443 cases. Equine Vet J 12:197–210

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jeffcott LB, Holmes MA et al (1999) Validity of saddle pressure measurements using force-sensing array technology — preliminary studies. Vet J 158:113–119. doi:10.1053/tvjl.1998.0334

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kirschvink N (2009) Measurements of oxidative stress. Cheval, stress oxydant & antioxydants — Dernieres avancées et perspectives. Société Française des Antioxydants, Paris, pp 23–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Landman M, de Blaauw JA et al (2004) Field study of the prevalence of lameness in horses with back problems. Vet Rec 155:165–168

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lansade L, Bouissou M-F (2008) Reactivity to humans: a temperament trait of horses which is stable across time and situations. Appl Anim Behav Sci 114(3–4):492–508

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lansade L, Pichard G et al (2008) Sensory sensitivities: components of a horse's temperament dimension. Appl Anim Behav Sci 114(3–4):534–553

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lemasson A, Gautier JP et al (2005) A brief note on the effects of the removal of individuals on social behaviour in a captive group of Campbell’s monkeys (Cercopithecus campbelli campbelli): a case study. Appl Anim Behav Sci 91:289–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lesimple C, Fureix C, et al. (2010). Human direct actions may alter animal welfare, a study on horses (Equus caballus). Plos One 5(4). doi:e10257 10.1371/journal.pone.0010257

  • Martin P, Caro TM (1985) On the functions of play and its role in behavioral-development. Adv Stud Behav 15:59–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin P, Bateson P (2007) Measuring behaviour: an introductory guide, 3rd edn. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 176 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason GJ (1991) Stereotypies and suffering. Behav Proc 25(2–3):103–115

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mason G, Rushen J (2006) Stereotypic behaviour in captive animals:fundamentals and applications for welfare, 2nd edn. CAB International, Wallingford

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • McDonnell SM, Haviland JCS (1995) Agonistic ethogram of the equid bachelor band. Appl Anim Behav Sci 43(3):147–188. doi:10.1016/0168-1591(94)00550-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDonnell SM, Poulin A (2002) Equid play ethogram. Appl Anim Behav Sci 78(2–4):263–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michaud K, Matheson K et al (2008) Impact of stressors in a natural context on release of cortisol in healthy adult humans: a meta-analysis. Stress Int J Biol Stress 11:177–197. doi:10.1080/10253890701727874

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miller GE, Chen E et al (2007) If it goes up, must it come down? Chronic stress and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axis in humans. Psychol Bull 133(1):25–45. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.133.1.25

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mills DS (2005) Repetitive movement problems in the horse. In: Mills DS, Mc Donnell SM (eds) The domestic horse, the origins, development and management of its behaviour. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 212–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Mormede P, Andanson S et al (2007) Exploration of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal function as a tool to evaluate animal welfare. Physiol Behav 92(3):317–339. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2006.12.003

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oliviera AFS, Rossi AO et al (2010) Play behaviour in nonhuman animals and the animal welfare issue. J Ethol 28:1–5. doi:10.1007/s10164-009-0167-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palagi E, Paoli T et al (2006) Short term benefits of play behavior and conflict prevention in Pan paniscus. Int J Primatol 27:1257–1270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panksepp J, Beatty WW (1980) Social deprivation and play in rats. Behav Neural Biol 30(2):197–206

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pell SM, McGreevy PD (1999) A study of cortisol and beta-endorphin levels in stereotypic and normal Thoroughbreds. Appl Anim Behav Sci 64:81–90. doi:10.1016/S0168-1591(99)00029-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pellis SM, Iwaniuk AN (1999) The problem of adult play fighting: a comparative analysis of play and courtship in primates. Ethology 105(9):783–806

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petit O, Thierry B (1994) Aggressive and peaceful interventions in conflicts in Tonkean macaques. Anim Behav 48(6):1427–1436

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Popa T, Bonifazi M et al (2007) Adaptive changes in postural strategy selection in chronic low back pain. Exp Brain Res 177:411–418. doi:10.1007/s00221-006-0683-4

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Power TG (2000) Play and exploration in children and animals. Erlbaum, Mahwah

    Google Scholar 

  • Redua MA, Valadao CAA et al (2002) The pre-emptive effect of epidural ketamine on wound sensitivity in horses tested by using von Frey filaments. Vet Anaesth Anal 29(4):200–206

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Robert F, Bebin K et al (2009) Evaluation et correction du stress oxydatif du porcelet en post-sevrage. J Recherche Porcine. Paris, 3–4 février

  • Rushen J (1991) Problems associated with the interpretation of physiological data in the assessment of animal-welfare. Appl Anim Behav Sci 28:381–386. doi:10.1016/0168-1591(91)90170-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saslow CA (2002) Understanding the perceptual world of horses. Appl Anim Behav Sci 78(2–4):209–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seaman SC, Davidson HPB et al (2002) How reliable is temperament assessment in the domestic horse (Equus caballus)? Appl Anim Behav Sci 78(2–4):175–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shively CA, Register TC et al (2005) Social stress-associated depression in adult female cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Biol Psychol 69(1):67–84. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2004.11.006

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel S, Castellan J (1988) Nonparametric statistics for the behavioral sciences, 2nd edn. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Siviy SM (1998) Neurobiological substrates of play behavior: glimpses into the structure and function of mammalian playfulness. In: Bekoff M, Byers JA (eds) Animal play. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith EFS (1991) The influence of nutrition and postpartum mating on weaning and subsequent play behaviour of hooded rats. Behav Brain Sci 5:139–155. doi:10.1016/S0003-3472(05)80854-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sondergaard E, Halekoh U (2003) Young horses’ reactions to humans in relation to handling and social environment. Appl Anim Behav Sci 84(4):265–280. doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2003.08.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spinka M, Newberry RC et al (2001) Mammalian play: training for the unexpected. Q Rev Biol 76(2):141–168. doi:10.1086/393866

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Suomi SJ, Eisele CD et al (1975) Depressive behavior in adult monkeys following separation from family environment. J Abnorm Psychol 84(5):576–578

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vieira ER, Kumar S (2004) Working postures: a literature review. J Occup Rehab 14:143–159. doi:10.1023/B:JOOR.0000018330.46029.05

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waring G (2003) Horse behavior, 2nd edn. Noyes Publications/William Andrew Publishing, Norwich

    Google Scholar 

  • Wechsler B (1995) Coping and coping strategies: a behavioural view. Appl Anim Behav Sci 43:123–134. doi:10.1016/0168-1591(95)00557-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Caisse Centrale de la Mutualité Sociale Agricole. We are grateful to the riding school staff, to H. Menguy for horses’ back examination and to Dr Ann Cloarec and J. Dallaire for correcting the English of this manuscript. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Martine Hausberger.

Additional information

Communicated by: Sven Thatje

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hausberger, M., Fureix, C., Bourjade, M. et al. On the significance of adult play: what does social play tell us about adult horse welfare?. Naturwissenschaften 99, 291–302 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-012-0902-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-012-0902-8

Keywords

Navigation