Equine Behavior of Equotherapy Center of Goiano Federal Institute Goiano – Campus Ceres

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior and welfare of horses used in Equotherapy Center of the IF Goiano Campus Ceres. Evaluations were made between March and August of 2018 regarding temperament, health status and normal and stereotyped behaviors expressed before, during and after the equotherapeutic sessions, sessions (morning and afternoon) and individual differences of each animal. There was no difference for temperament, weekly service time, animal age and physical condition (p > 0.05). The evaluated animals showed adequate temperament to horses used for the equotherapeutic purpose. Cardiac and respiratory rates were higher before the sessions. However, respiratory rates remained high up to 15 minutes after the sessions (p < 0.05). The distracted behavior was more observed (63%) in the animals before and after the sessions. Already the alert behavior (36%) occurred more frequently during the sessions (p < 0.05). Health indicators, body condition and evaluated behavioral parameters were in agreement with those expected for the species showing that the animals of the Equotherapy Center of the IF Goiano Campus Ceres have an adequate welfare.