Influence of fence type on the paddock use of horses

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of paddock fence type (electric fence vs. metal tube) in single stabled horses (box stall with enclosed paddock) on the occurrence and frequency of paddock use as well as behaviour in the paddock. For this purpose horses (5-16 years old) were rotationally observed in both systems. The size of each box was 3.2 m x 3.8 m, whereas the size of each paddock was 3.8 m x 6.0 m. After a period of one week, behaviour of horses was indirectly observed in both systems each for 3 days. The following parameters were measured: duration and frequency of paddock use, closeness to the fence, as well as direct social contacts between horses in adjacent paddocks. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the duration of paddock use between the two fence types, electric fence and metal tube. When metal tube fence was used, more than half of all stays in the paddock (52.9%) were observed nearby the fence. In comparison to the electric fence system, where only 11.6% of all paddock stays were close to the electric fence and 57.9% were observed in a distance of 50 cm to the fence. In addition, the rate of social contacts decreased from 19.1% in the metal tube system to 0.6% in the electric fence system. It can be concluded that the fence type metal tube is more suitable for horses in the paddock regarding paddock use and social contacts. These results should be considered when planning and evaluating paddocks for horses.