Profile of facilities in intensive system for equines

• Grant number: 13/14781-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2013
• End date: September 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Rodolfo Marques de Brito
• Grantee: Pedro Henrique Esteves Trindade
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria Acadêmica. Centro Universitário de Rio Preto (UNIRP). Sociedade Riopretense de Ensino e Educação. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The history of man-horse interaction started with the exchange relationship established by the nomadic peoples with these animals. Later, it got stronger and the equines took part in society as means of transportation, traction, and as a social status symbol. In the contemporary world, horses are used in several kinds of activities, such as sports, therapy, leisure, and agriculture. There are two types of productive methods in equine raising: extensive (field) and intensive (semi-stabled/stabled). These methods, until the beginning of the 19th century, were based on the international structural models of infrastructure and feeding. They were directed to tempered weathers, different from the current national scenario. Then, the Brazilian System of Equine Production was created to better adapt to the country's conditions, having a simple infrastructure - without ornamentation and low cost - aiming for better comfort, hygiene, and handling. Regardless of it all, there are few studies focused on intensive systems for equines. However, these installations provide physical and psychological comfort, appropriate feeding conditions, resting, and welfare when well calculated, increasing the animal's performance regardless of the activity it performs. Therefore, this proposal intends to profile the intensive system installations for equines in farms within the area of the cities of São José do Rio Preto, Catanduva, and Barretos. The research tools used will be observation (individual, systematic, participative) and form. The main objective is to establish a current profile, building up a database with relevant information alongside a literature review.