For a comparative analysis of the behavior of wild and domestic equids (Perissodactyla) of the equine (Equidae) family in the stud farm of the Moscow Zoo, the ratios of different forms of behavior in the following species have been studied: the domestic horse (Equus caballus), Przewalski's horse (Equus Przewalskii), kiang (Equus kiang) and an ethological assessment of the level of animal welfare is given. It was found that in the behavioral repertoires of Przewalski's horses and domestic horses there was a significant similarity in the duration of such forms of active behavior as food and water intake, auto-grooming, allogrooming, urination, and defecation. However, Przewalski's horses showed higher physical activity, moving around the enclosure and exploring the environment, by 10% and 2%, respectively, and also showed aggression much less frequently. It was found that the absence of a male in the group of domestic horses increased the frequency of aggression by 1.8 times as compared with the group of Przewalski's horses. The ratio of behavioral patterns in kiang horses has a different structure, except for such metabolic manifestations as water intake and urination. Representatives of this species spent 1.4 times less time on food intake, while simultaneously increasing the time for defecation by 1.8 times, showed low motor activity, exploratory activity, and a high level of aggression, and also spent more time on allogrooming. The noted features in the behavior of the kiangs indicate the stressful state of animals, and, as a consequence, the low level of their welfare.
