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Simple Summary: Corvid behaviour is an area of interest for behavioural ecologists and conservationists alike. This explanatory study reports a novel behaviour, aluminium can perforation, presented by the common raven (Corvus corax) captured using camera trap technology and behavioural scoring. This study considers the ontogeny and motivation for this behaviour to begin to elucidate its purpose. The results suggest that camera trap technology is useful for capturing behaviour that may not be recorded via human observation, which, in this study, was predominantly can manipulation. However, human observation captured a significantly greater number of maintenance behaviours compared to camera trap collection methods. Can manipulation observations were clustered in human-inhabited areas, potentially due to the abundance of cans in these areas, with the suggested motivations for this behaviour including the olfactory properties of the cans and the performance of can manipulation to extract prey from the cans. This research contributes to our knowledge of corvid behavioural repertoires and paves the way for further research into corvid behaviour on the island of Lanzarote. This study examines the common raven (Corvus corax) population on Lanzarote, Spain, at a previously unstudied site. The study aimed to compare the use of camera trap technology and human observation in capturing a wide repertoire of raven behaviour and pay close attention to the perforation of aluminium cans, a behaviour that has not been described in the scientific literature previously but has been reported anecdotally through human observation. Five cameras were sited over a period of 6 months, with three aluminium cans placed at each location. One of the three cans was baited with meat and eggs, mimicking wild feeding substrate. Human observations took place over the same period of time in the same locations. Raven sightings were highly correlated in human-inhabited areas as well as agricultural areas, seemingly linked to food acquisition. Camera trap technology identified a greater number of can-orientated behaviours (interaction, manipulation, peeking inside, and pecking) compared to the human observation method. Conversely, human observation yielded a greater number of non-can-orientated behaviours (analysed as a group) when compared to that of camera trap observation. Overall, there was a significantly greater number of ravens observed via human observation when compared to that of camera trap observation. Initial evidence suggests that ravens only perforate cans they deem salient in terms of food acquisition, with beer cans being the most common focus of the behaviours observed, possibly linked to olfactory stimuli, the movement of the can or learned behaviour relating to reward acquisition. This study presents new data regarding object interaction in ravens, adding to the current body of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frustration is a term often used to describe both a behavioural response to a situation and an emotional state experienced when goals or rewards are expected but not received. Literature on human and non-human animals provides an understanding into the mechanisms underlying frustration and the common behaviours expressed. Frustration is regarded as a negative affective state that could indicate a welfare concern. However, literature on horses lacks consistency regarding those behaviours believed to indicate frustration. The purpose of the current study was to ascertain expert opinion on the causes and behavioural indicators of frustration in horses via a Delphi Consultation process with 30 experts in the field of equine behaviour. Twenty-six statements were generated by experts in a two-round Delphi to describe potential causes of frustration, behavioural indicators of acute and chronic frustration and to enhance general understanding of the topic. The statements generated were agreed upon by > 70 % of participants. Mean level of agreement within demographic variables (researcher status (active or inactive), consultant status (active or inactive) and qualification level ( 0.05; t (14.47) = −1.22, p > 0.05; t (15.31) = 2.10, p > 0.05 respectively). Consensus agreement suggests that horses are likely to exhibit frustration in similar ways to other species - in acute situations through increased locomotion, muscle tension, directed and redirected aggression, conflict or displacement behaviours; in chronic situations through the development of repetitive (stereotypic) behaviours and learned helplessness or shutdown behaviours. It was also suggested that certain management practices and human interactions are likely causes of most frustration-related behaviours. The majority of participants (85.7 %) agreed that frustration may present with similar behaviours to those generated by other affective states, indicating the need for caution when attributing the cause of observed behaviours solely to frustration. The study highlights the need for further exploration and empirical studies to validate behavioural indicators of frustration and to clarify differentiation of them from other affective states. • Current literature on frustration in domestic horses is limited. • Consensus was reached on 26 statements surrounding frustration in domestic horses. • Differences are suggested in behavioural display of acute and chronic frustration. • Management practices and human interactions are likely causes of frustration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective training of horses relies on the trainer's awareness of learning theory and equine ethology, and should be undertaken with skill and time. Some trainers, such as Monty Roberts, share their methods through the medium of public demonstrations. This paper describes the opportunistic analysis of beat-to-beat (RR) intervals and heart rate variability (HRV) of ten horses being used in Monty Roberts' public demonstrations within the United Kingdom. RR and HRV was measured in the stable before training and during training. The HRV variables standard deviation of the RR interval (SDRR), root mean square of successive RR differences (RMSSD), geometric means standard deviation 1 (SD1) and 2 (SD2), along with the low and high frequency ratio (LF/HF ratio) were calculated. The minimum, average and maximum RR intervals were significantly lower in training (indicative of an increase in heart rate as measured in beats-per-minute) than in the stable (p = 0.0006; p = 0.01; p = 0.03). SDRR, RMSSD, SD1, SD2 and the LF/HF ratio were all significantly lower in training than in the stable (p = 0.001; p = 0.049; p = 0.049; p = 0.001; p = 0.01). When comparing the HR and HRV of horses during Join-up® to overall training, there were no significant differences in any variable with the exception of maximum RR which was significantly lower (p = 0.007) during Join-up®, indicative of short increases in physical exertion (canter) associated with this training exercise. In conclusion, training of horses during public demonstrations is a low-moderate physiological, rather than psychological stressor for horses. The physiological stress responses observed within this study were comparable or less to those previously reported in the literature for horses being trained outside of public audience events. Furthermore, there is no evidence that the use of Join-up® alters HR and HRV in a way to suggest that this training method negatively affects the psychological welfare of horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a multidisciplinary method to equine clinical behaviour practice, with topics including specialist referral in animal behavioural medicine, conducting behavioural work-ups, and considering the advantages and disadvantages of a multidisciplinary team.

The article describes the case of a four-year old Arabian x Gypsy cob gelding who has shown a reluctance in being mounted from a mounting block. Topics discussed include signs of negative behavior exhibited by the horse, potential causes of the horse's behavior according to experts and explanations given by veterinarians for the horse's avoidance behavior. Also discussed are the behavior modification and training techniques employed to improve the animal's condition.

This article explores the importance of behavioural considerations in veterinary practice and identifies appropriate methods to find and employ a suitably qualified behaviourist. Following this it discusses the role of the behaviourist in practice and identifies easily implementable, small changes that can be made to increase behavioural awareness and explains the benefit of these in relation to the practice, owner and animal [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality of life (QoL) assessment in horses may easily be overlooked, often as a consequence of practitioner time constraints and a lack of consensus regarding effective and reliable methodologies. This review explores the concept of Qol, the principles and methods of Qol measurement and discusses the usefulness of qualitative Judgements. It draws conclusions on the importance of life-long, multifaceted Qol evaluation and the advances being made in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 2010 national equine wound-care study was undertaken to report on - and clarify - current wound management theories, and review product usage in equine veterinary practice; with an initial report and review of current human wound-care practices transposable to equine veterinary practice. Results indicate wide-ranging product usage between practices but a small range within practices. Many well-established wound-care products are favoured over newer, successful human wound-care practices including: topical negative pressure; the wound healing, infection and exudate continuums; and many of the active products. Further research is required, especially in terms of case studies and the potential inclusion of recently developed human products. The requirement for independent product and wound healing guidance in veterinary practice is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Piglet mortality rates between Freedom Farrowing and Traditional Farrowing cohorts did not significantly differ. • Piglet weight gain did not significantly differ between farrowing systems. • Sows and piglets in FF systems undertook significantly more positive social interactions than those in TF systems. • Sows and piglets in Free Farrowing systems undertook significantly fewer undesired behaviours than those in Traditional Farrowing systems. Farrowing crates have traditionally been used to reduce occurrence of piglet mortality as a result of sow crushing. However the utilisation of traditional farrowing crates has been suggested to contribute to negative welfare for both the sow and piglets. This study compared mortality rates, weight gain and behaviour of two cohorts, Freedom Farrowing (FF) and Traditional Farrowing (TF), of sows at a commercial farm. Results indicated no significant difference in mortality rates (2-sample t -test, t 24 = −0.08, p = 0.761) between systems or in weight gain of piglets (batch 1: 2-sample t -test, t 12 =−0.01, p = 0.993; batch 2: 2-sample t -test, t 12 =−0.12, p = 0.904). Behaviour of sows indicated a number of significant differences between FF and TF cohorts including TF sows spending more time lying down, χ2 (2, N = 24) = 5.69, p = 0.017 and FF sows spending more time nursing their piglets χ2 (1, N = 24) = 6.66, p = 0.01, socialising with their piglets χ2 (2, N = 24) = 12, p = 0.001 and exploring the pen χ2 (2, N = 24) = 6, p = 0.014. TF piglets spent more time lying away from the sow (lying elsewhere) χ2 (2, N = 24) = 4.78, p = 0.029 and engaging in agonistic behaviours with other piglets χ2 (2, N = 24) = 4.76, p = 0.029, whilst FF piglets spent more time feeding from the sow χ2 (1, N = 24) = 63.18, p < 0.001 and playing with other piglets χ2 (2, N = 24) = 4.37, p = 0.036. As farmed production animals it is important that management changes to improve welfare consider both economic impacts and effect on production time; the results of this study demonstrate that both mortality rates and weight gain of piglets are comparable between the two systems giving an overall advantage to the implementation of Free Farrowing pens in a pig production environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of owner compliance - or lack thereof - is a wide-ranging problem through all genres of veterinary medicine and, indeed, medicine worldwide. This article provides a discussion of issues commonly presented in relation to client compliance in the UK, and compares and contrasts these problems with issues in human medicine and in veterinary medicine around the world. Protocols are then presented to improve compliance within veterinary medicine, through the use of a diverse range of communication channels and methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]