Socialization scores (sem) for horses during the 24 hours after exploratory celiotomy for colic
Behaviour scoring for the Social Score were:-
Response to open door: 1. moves to door 2. looks at door 4. No response
Response to approach: 1. Move to observer, ears forward 2. Looks at observer, ears forward 3. Moves away from observer, 4. Does not move, ears back
Lifting feet: 1. freely lifts feet when asked 2. Requires mild encouragement 4. Extremely unwilling to lift feet.
Response to grain: 1. Moves to door and reaches for grain 2. Looks at door 4. No response
Maximum score possible = 16
Untreated control horses and those anaesthetised without surgery had socialisation scores of 5, while those horses treated surgically had a higher score (8), suggesting that there is less socialisation when the animals are in pain.
