Evaluating changes in horse behavior as a response to small unmanned aerial vehicles
2022
Howell, Ryan G. | Draughon, Kaylee | Johnston, Haley | Myrick, Melissa | Anderson, Val J. | Eggett, Dennis L. | Petersen, Steven L.
•The application of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) has expanded to include livestock management, however the effects of sUAS disturbance on domestic horses (Equus calibus) has not been well documented.•We developed an ethogram to classify and record horse behaviors and changes in response to disturbance using a DJI Phantom 4 Pro sUAS by monitoring horse behavior at 5 second intervals from 3 m, 15 m, and 33 m above ground level (AGL).•We found vigilance was the most common behavior after initial approach at all AGLs.•Horses took evasive measures after approximately 20 seconds at lower AGL (i.e., <3 m).•The recovery to the control behavior occurred sooner at higher AGLs and most horses recovered within 60 seconds.•sUAS could be a valuable tool in horse management, including their potential use during domestic and free-roaming horse roundups.
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