Feeding behaviour related to different feeding devices.

Slow feeding devices (SFDs) are useful tools in order to improve the horse well-being and to reduce wastage, but their use may result in unnatural posture during feeding and frustration behaviours. Moreover, it may be important to evaluate the laterality during feeding. The aim of the study was to investigate ponies' feeding behaviour (i.e., lateralisation, frustration, postural eating style) with different hay feeding methods: on the ground (G), a fully filled hay net (HF), a partially filled hay net (HL), and a slow feeder hay box (HB). Nine ponies of two different breed types (Shetland and Welsh/Cob) were evaluated. Video recordings were obtained and then behavioural analysis was conducted. Data were analysed statistically using k-means cluster analysis, repeated measurement mixed model procedure, principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Head tilting was more often performed during feeding from HF and HL compared to G and HB. Forelimb forward, referring to the position that ponies assumed during feeding, was performed less frequently with the hay nets. Ponies, in particular Welsh/Cobs, tended to be more left-lateralized and performed more backward ears when feeding from the hay nets. Blink rate was observed to be greater when ponies were fed from G. No head pushing, striking with forelimb and pawing while feeding was seen. Animals fed from HF tended to eat from the top of the hay net and consequently showed an arched neck; while HL and HB showed for elongated neck an intermediate pattern between G and HF. From our results, HB seemed to be a useful compromise between natural feeding on the ground and the use of hay nets.

Pony feeding management: the role of morphology and hay feeding methods on intake rate, ingestive behaviors and mouth shaping.

In the last decade, haynets and slow feeders have been promoted as sustainable tools to improve the feeding management of horses and reduce forage waste, but little is known about their effects on ponies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the effects of different hay feeding methods on the ingestive behaviors, intake rate and mouth shaping of ponies belonging to two breed types, which are characterized by different head morphologies. Shetland type (SH, n = 5) and Welsh/Cob type (WC, n = 4) ponies were fed hay using four feeding methods: on the ground (G), a fully filled haynet (HF), a partially filled haynet (HL), and a slow-feeder hay box (HB). Head morphology was measured for each pony. Video recordings were then made to apply geometric morphometrics and to perform behavioral analysis. The intake rate was measured for each pony and each feeding method. Data obtained with geometric morphometrics were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical variate analysis (CVA). Behavioral data and intake rate measurements were analyzed using a mixed model, a post-hoc Tukey's test, a Pearson's correlation test, and a stepwise regression model. The geometric morphometrics results demonstrated that feeding method influenced mouth shaping (36% for G, 78% for HB, 77% for HF, 83% for HL, considering the total variance of shape) and affected the intake rate. Differences in mouth shaping and ingestive behaviors in SH and WC ponies also confirmed the role of morphology in feeding management. The HL proved to be the most effective tool to increase feeding consumption time when needed (5 h/kg for SH ponies and 3 h/kg for WC ponies, considering the intake time), although the HB may be the optimal choice to reduce the intake rate while maintaining a more natural posture. Future studies are suggested to fully understand how body size and morphology influence feeding in equine species.

Effect of pony morphology and hay feeding methods on back and neck postures.

The application of hay feeding devices, such as the use of hay nets or slow feeders, can help with the management of weight in ponies; however, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding their effect on equine posture. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the effect of different feeding devices on the posture of ponies using morphometric analysis. Two different breed types, Shetland type (SH, n = 5) versus Welsh Cob type (WC, n = 4), were fed the same forage in four different ways: on the ground (G), using a fully filled haynet (HF), using a partially filled haynet (HL) and using a slow-feeder hay box (HB). Video recordings were obtained and then geometric morphometric analysis was applied. Breed morphology was confirmed by body morphometric measurements. Data were analysed statistically using one-way ANOVA, canonical variate analysis (CVA), principal component analysis (PCA), partial least-squares (PLS) analysis and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Moreover, a mixed model was performed to study differences in mandibular angle. SH and WC ponies were shown to have significantly different body morphometric measurements. The geometric morphometric analysis results showed that ponies arch their back and modify their neck shape differently according to the feeding method and their morphological group. For the neck, the SH and WC ponies adapted similarly to the use of small-holed hay nets, but their posture varied when feeding from the ground or hay box. The back postures consistently differed according to the breed type and feeding method. The mandibular angle for both breed types was reduced with all the feeding devices compared to feeding from the ground. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of slow-feeding devices on posture and mandibular angle, taking into consideration animals with different morphologies.

Integrating New Learning Methods into Equine Nutrition Classrooms: The Importance of Students' Perceptions.

Despite greater efforts made over recent years to teach animal nutrition to veterinary students, more needs to be done to develop teaching methods and improve education on equine nutrition. The flipped classroom and peer-assisted learning (FC/PAL) approach is a teaching technique suggested to support learning; however, research into FC/PAL in veterinary education is scarce and little is known about students' views on this approach. This study examined the results of a questionnaire administered to assess veterinary students' perceptions of/views about the suitability of FC/PAL applied in an equine nutrition course. Correlation analysis of students' responses to questionnaire items and principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to analyze the variability in student perceptions. The results showed that although half the students reported to be uninterested in equine nutrition, most expressed positive attitudes towards FC/PAL. Comparing the perceptions/views towards FC/PAL among low and high achievers, a significant difference was found for the item considering the duration of FC/PAL (P = .002). Correlation analysis between questionnaire items showed a predominance of positive moderate correlations among high achievers and weak correlations among low achievers. PCA revealed three important findings. First, student interest towards equine nutrition explains the response variability among low achievers. Second, there was significant agreement among almost all high achievers regarding the duration of the FC/PAL. Third, in the item evaluating the usefulness of collaborating with peers, disagreement was only found among low achievers. In summary, a flipped classroom combined with the same level peer-assisted learning appears to encourage student interaction and collaboration in the classroom.

Does Feeding Management Make a Difference to Behavioural Activities and Welfare of Horses Reared for Meat Production?

Horses reared for meat production are generally fed a diet rich in starch with the aim of maximizing production performances. This study evaluated the effects of two feeding management systems on horse welfare by analysing the relative time spent engaged in different behavioural activities. Nineteen Bardigiano horses aged 14.3 ± 0.7 months were randomly assigned to one of two group pens: one group was fed high amounts of starch-rich concentrates (HCG; n = 10), the other was fed a fibre-based diet (HFG; n = 9). Behavioural activities performed by each horse were video-recorded over a 96-h period. A scan sampling process (n = 144 scans/horse/day; total n of scans sampled = 10,368) was used, and the scans were analysed according to a specific ethogram. The mean frequency (%/24 h) spent exhibiting each behavioural activity was calculated to obtain the time budget. After checking for normality (Shapiro-Wilk test), Student's t tests (normally distributed data) and Mann-Whitney tests (not normally distributed data) were used to compare the time budgets of the two groups of horses (HCG vs. HFG). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to identify the components explaining the variability in behavioural activities between the two groups. K-means cluster analysis subsequently confirmed the PCA results. The behavioural activities associated with feeding horses a fibre-based diet correlated with better horse welfare compared with feeding horses a starch-based diet. Feeding horses a fibre-based diet resulted advantageous from both the welfare and economic perspective; it allowed horses to spend more time expressing feeding behaviours and reduced energy expenditure in the form of excitable, or "fizzy", behaviours.

Ccuidados intensivos pediátricos: trabajo colaborativo sobre caracteristicas de población y grupos de riesgos / Pediatric critical care. descriptive populationand mortalityrisk factor collaboratory study

Introducción. Las unidades de cuidados intensivos pediátricos (UCIP) han sufrido cambios importantes en los últimos años. Su aumento en número y complejidad sumando su alto costo han estimulado el interés y la necesidad de evaluar su funcionamiento y utilidad. Objetivos. Describir las características de los pacientes que se internan en nuestras UCIP y determinar poblaciones de riesgo. Material y métodos. Paarticiparon 13 UCIP. Los daros incluyen las internaciones de mas de 12 horas durante un período de 60 días corridos entre el 1/6 y el 30/9/30. Se registraron: filiación, eda, seco, peso, necesidad de asitencia respiratoria mecánica (ARM), posquirúrgico, motivo y tiempo de internación, PRISM al ingreso y evolución. Se utilizó: prueba de Student, Mann-Whitney o Wilcoxon, prueba de Fisher o Chicuadrado, regresión logística, cálculos de odds ratio e intervalo de confianza, segun correspondiera. Resultados. Ingresaron al estudio 651 pacientes. la edad promedio fue de 47,6 meses (DE+-60) mediana de 18 meses. 175/651 pacientes eran posquirúrgicos (26,7 porciento) y 97/651 desnutridos (14,7 porciento). Requirieron ARM 215 pacientes (33 porciento). el 25 porciento de las UCIP ventilaron a más del 60 porciento de sus ingresos. La mortalidad global observada fue de 13,1 porciento (85 muertes, para una mortalidad calculada de 13,8 porciento (DE +-23,08). Agrupando los pacientes según riego calculado de mortalidad (0-1 porciento, 1-5 porciento, 15-30 porciento y > 30 porciento), se observo una mortalidad significativamente mayor a la calculada solo en el intervalo de 15 a 30 porciento (p< 0,02). En el análisis de grupos de riesgo se encontraron diferencias estadisticamente significativas en mortalidad esperada vs. observada al comparar desnutridos con eutróficos y aquellos que requirieron ARM con los que no. Conclusiones. La mitad de todos los ingresos a UCIP y casi el 75 porciento de los pacientes ventilados fueron menores a 18 meses, el 25 porciento desnutridos graves. las infecciones respiratorias fueron el principal motivo de internación. Nuestros pacientes presentaron una gravedad 60 porciento mayor qu la publicada en series extranjeras.