The role of space availability and affiliation in shaping equine social distances and dynamics
Abstract Horses confined to enclosures with limited opportunities for spatial avoidance and escape experience heightened social stress and conflict. While forced proximity can pose welfare risks, voluntary social proximity is considered a positive indicator of well-being. To investigate the effects...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92943-4 |
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| author | Laura Torres Borda Ulrike Auer Florien Jenner |
| author_facet | Laura Torres Borda Ulrike Auer Florien Jenner |
| author_sort | Laura Torres Borda |
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| description | Abstract Horses confined to enclosures with limited opportunities for spatial avoidance and escape experience heightened social stress and conflict. While forced proximity can pose welfare risks, voluntary social proximity is considered a positive indicator of well-being. To investigate the effects of space availability on spatiotemporal dynamics, social network structure and agonistic interactions, this study used ultra-wideband sensors to continuously (1 Hz) measure interindividual distances in 34 horses across three groups under paddock and field conditions. Interindividual distances increased in larger enclosures (paddock: median 8.3 m, field: 19 m), but closest associates remained nearer to each other than other dyads (paddock: 3.6 m vs. 8.3 m, field: 13.6 m vs. 19 m) and spent more time within 3 m (paddock: 42.34% vs. 20.59%, field: 9.81% vs. 1.85%). However, horses did not disperse maximally in larger spaces, staying within range of even their least frequent associates, suggesting a threshold distance for group cohesion. Network analysis revealed higher closeness centrality in the paddock, indicating a more integrated social network. Agonistic interactions were more frequent between close associates, occurred more often in the paddock than the field, and correlated negatively with absolute interindividual distances. These findings highlight the complex interplay between space availability and social dynamics and their importance for equine welfare. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2f2dfa1a54aa43a288c6dba07a8a5e18 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| spelling | doaj-art-2f2dfa1a54aa43a288c6dba07a8a5e182025-08-20T03:45:35ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-92943-4The role of space availability and affiliation in shaping equine social distances and dynamicsLaura Torres Borda0Ulrike Auer1Florien Jenner2Department for Small Animals and Horses, Centre for Equine Health and Research, Equine Surgery Unit, University of Veterinary Medicine ViennaDepartment for Small Animals and Horses, Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Intensive Care Medicine Unit, University of Veterinary Medicine ViennaDepartment for Small Animals and Horses, Centre for Equine Health and Research, Equine Surgery Unit, University of Veterinary Medicine ViennaAbstract Horses confined to enclosures with limited opportunities for spatial avoidance and escape experience heightened social stress and conflict. While forced proximity can pose welfare risks, voluntary social proximity is considered a positive indicator of well-being. To investigate the effects of space availability on spatiotemporal dynamics, social network structure and agonistic interactions, this study used ultra-wideband sensors to continuously (1 Hz) measure interindividual distances in 34 horses across three groups under paddock and field conditions. Interindividual distances increased in larger enclosures (paddock: median 8.3 m, field: 19 m), but closest associates remained nearer to each other than other dyads (paddock: 3.6 m vs. 8.3 m, field: 13.6 m vs. 19 m) and spent more time within 3 m (paddock: 42.34% vs. 20.59%, field: 9.81% vs. 1.85%). However, horses did not disperse maximally in larger spaces, staying within range of even their least frequent associates, suggesting a threshold distance for group cohesion. Network analysis revealed higher closeness centrality in the paddock, indicating a more integrated social network. Agonistic interactions were more frequent between close associates, occurred more often in the paddock than the field, and correlated negatively with absolute interindividual distances. These findings highlight the complex interplay between space availability and social dynamics and their importance for equine welfare.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92943-4HorseEquineSocial behaviourSocial proximityPopulation densitySpace availability |
| spellingShingle | Laura Torres Borda Ulrike Auer Florien Jenner The role of space availability and affiliation in shaping equine social distances and dynamics Scientific Reports Horse Equine Social behaviour Social proximity Population density Space availability |
| title | The role of space availability and affiliation in shaping equine social distances and dynamics |
| title_full | The role of space availability and affiliation in shaping equine social distances and dynamics |
| title_fullStr | The role of space availability and affiliation in shaping equine social distances and dynamics |
| title_full_unstemmed | The role of space availability and affiliation in shaping equine social distances and dynamics |
| title_short | The role of space availability and affiliation in shaping equine social distances and dynamics |
| title_sort | role of space availability and affiliation in shaping equine social distances and dynamics |
| topic | Horse Equine Social behaviour Social proximity Population density Space availability |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92943-4 |
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