Allogrooming in Horses
Allogrooming is a beneficial part to a horse’s life. It is defined as the grooming of another individual, and has shown to have hygienic and signal functions (Allogrooming 2015). Allogrooming in horses is when two horses bite at each other’s withers, back, and rump areas. These areas are usually difficult for an individual to groom or scratch at individually, and it is frequent to see two horses allogrooming in tandem with each other. Allogrooming is usually found between one and its conspecific; however it has been shown to be capable between species. There have been many studies on allogrooming and it’s social, physiological effects on horses.
One such study shows the social effects of allogrooming in a feral horse population in in how the closer a social bond was, the more allogrooming was done (Cameron, et al, 2009). There was also a positive benefit in foaling success, as Cameron and her colleagues showed that the more socially integrated a mare was, the higher foaling success she had within the wild herd (2009). Overall, the social effects of allogrooming are highly beneficial in order to be reproductively successful and continue an individual’s genetic lineage. Another study was done in Germany while observing the Munich Zoo’s band of Przewalski horse, which are thought to be the most feral and untouched breed by humans in the world. Their results found that the most dominant stallion, Bars, did not participate in much allogrooming, and when he did it was only with foals (Keiper, 1988). This was most likely due to Bars having to keep the hierarchy in order, most any of the interactions between stallions and their herd consist of either reproductive behavior, or a form of herding. The most probably reason behind why Bars only initiated allogrooming in foals was to begin the socialization process, or because he was more lenient with the foals for their naivety.
Allogrooming is usually found between one and its conspecific; however it has been shown to be capable between species. One such study completed in 2003 in the Netherlands found that being allogroomed by a human significantly decreased heart rate in riding horses. The experiment was done in the stressful environment of the vaccination room, as well as with horses that were in their normal stable. There were four scratching areas; the neck, at least ten centimeters from the withers, the withers, the shoulder, and the hip. Those in the vaccination room had a control of 51.96 beats per minute (bpm), yet when allogroomed at their withers, had a decrease in heart rate to 40.48 bpm (Normando et al, 2003). While those horses tested in a comfortable environment did not have as profound effects on the heart rate while being allogroomed (Normando et al, 2003). This study revealed that there isn’t only a social benefit to allogrooming in horses, there is also a strong physiological aspect. Allogrooming may be seen to parallel a type of calming signal found in dogs that help relieve stress or show that they are not threatening.
Allogrooming is an essential aspect of equine routine, and should not be confused for aggression or a stereotypy. Horses live in herds, and should always be housed with a similar type of species so they can perform this behavior. Or if social living is not an option, treat your horse to a good grooming every now and then, and one can use allogrooming as positive reinforcement.
One such study shows the social effects of allogrooming in a feral horse population in in how the closer a social bond was, the more allogrooming was done (Cameron, et al, 2009). There was also a positive benefit in foaling success, as Cameron and her colleagues showed that the more socially integrated a mare was, the higher foaling success she had within the wild herd (2009). Overall, the social effects of allogrooming are highly beneficial in order to be reproductively successful and continue an individual’s genetic lineage. Another study was done in Germany while observing the Munich Zoo’s band of Przewalski horse, which are thought to be the most feral and untouched breed by humans in the world. Their results found that the most dominant stallion, Bars, did not participate in much allogrooming, and when he did it was only with foals (Keiper, 1988). This was most likely due to Bars having to keep the hierarchy in order, most any of the interactions between stallions and their herd consist of either reproductive behavior, or a form of herding. The most probably reason behind why Bars only initiated allogrooming in foals was to begin the socialization process, or because he was more lenient with the foals for their naivety.
Allogrooming is usually found between one and its conspecific; however it has been shown to be capable between species. One such study completed in 2003 in the Netherlands found that being allogroomed by a human significantly decreased heart rate in riding horses. The experiment was done in the stressful environment of the vaccination room, as well as with horses that were in their normal stable. There were four scratching areas; the neck, at least ten centimeters from the withers, the withers, the shoulder, and the hip. Those in the vaccination room had a control of 51.96 beats per minute (bpm), yet when allogroomed at their withers, had a decrease in heart rate to 40.48 bpm (Normando et al, 2003). While those horses tested in a comfortable environment did not have as profound effects on the heart rate while being allogroomed (Normando et al, 2003). This study revealed that there isn’t only a social benefit to allogrooming in horses, there is also a strong physiological aspect. Allogrooming may be seen to parallel a type of calming signal found in dogs that help relieve stress or show that they are not threatening.
Allogrooming is an essential aspect of equine routine, and should not be confused for aggression or a stereotypy. Horses live in herds, and should always be housed with a similar type of species so they can perform this behavior. Or if social living is not an option, treat your horse to a good grooming every now and then, and one can use allogrooming as positive reinforcement.
References
"Allogrooming." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2015.
Cameron, E., Setsaas, T., & Linklater, W. (2009). Social bonds between unrelated females increase reproductive success in feral horses.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 13850-13853.
Keiper, R. (n.d.). Social interactions of the Przewalski horse (Equus przewalskii Poliakov, 1881) herd at the Munich Zoo. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 89-97.
Normando, S., Haverbeke, A., Meers, L., Ödberg, F., Talegón, M., & Bono, G. (n.d.). Effect of Manual Imitation of Grooming on Riding Horses' Heart Rate in Different Environmental Situations. Veterinary Research Communications, 615-617.
Cameron, E., Setsaas, T., & Linklater, W. (2009). Social bonds between unrelated females increase reproductive success in feral horses.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 13850-13853.
Keiper, R. (n.d.). Social interactions of the Przewalski horse (Equus przewalskii Poliakov, 1881) herd at the Munich Zoo. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 89-97.
Normando, S., Haverbeke, A., Meers, L., Ödberg, F., Talegón, M., & Bono, G. (n.d.). Effect of Manual Imitation of Grooming on Riding Horses' Heart Rate in Different Environmental Situations. Veterinary Research Communications, 615-617.