Behavior and interactions in and between herds of Polish Konik horse and Uhruska sheep during mixed-species grazing practice

Summary. The mixed daily grazing (5 hours before and after noon) of the Polish Konik horses and Uhruska sheep was carried out in July (10 days) and September (6 days) 2011 in The Roztocze National Park, the Centre for Farm Breeding in Florian. The studies involved a Polish Konik horse herd of 8 animals (3 adult mares with foals-colts and 2 fillies aged 2 years) and a sheep herd, which in July included 29 mated for the first time, pregnant ewes and 2 herd rams. In September, the sheep flock included 69 animals (ewes and lambs) without rams. The studies recorded the behavior of animals and duration of daily activities (in minutes), i.e. grazing, resting, movement, water drinking, etc. and other interactions (friendly, aggressive) occurring between the animals of both species. The dominance hierarchy in the horse herd was determined using the dominance index (ID). The data analysis showed marked similarities in species-specific behavioral patterns of horses and sheep pastured together. The animals spent most of their time foraging and resting. In July, the horses grazed for 54.60% of the total time at pasture, in September – 60.50%, while the sheep flock – 57.11% and 59.45%, respectively. Significant differences were noted between the average time devoted to each daily routine before and after mid-day. Higher motor activity was observed in horses, especially in a foal group (26.45% in July and 29.40% in Sept.). It was found that the amount of time spent on each daily activity (mainly grazing and resting), particularly in July, was affected by the weather conditions (chiefly temperature and air relative humidity). The established hierarchical structure in the horse herd was stable (agedependent), while within the sheep flock it was not so clearly observed. Horses bigger in size, more active and mobile than sheep obviously dominated the pasture. A mixed-species grazing practice made both herds gradually acquainted and it decreased the between-herds distance till the animals mingled and felt safe together. However, in the first instance, the animals contacted within their own species. The horse/sheep mixed grazing system allows for the rational use of a pasture if managed under appropriate animal stocking rate and pasture carrying capacity.