Abstract
On the basis of ethological observations of herd horses in northeastern Kazakhstan, this study confirms for the first time that the productive, reproductive, and adaptive traits of horses are significantly influenced by climatic conditions, forage availability, and locomotor factors under year-round extensive management. These conclusions align with prior research conducted across other Kazakh regions, reflecting the country’s wide-ranging environmental and pasture conditions. To assess behavioral activity during the lactation period, GPS collars (SPOT Trace) were attached to 10 mares from various social groups. The daily movement distance, rest duration, and milk yield were recorded across different seasons. The findings revealed a strong impact of extreme weather on behavior. In summer (average +25.5 °C), locomotor activity decreased, the duration of rest reached 484 minutes/day, and the grazing distance decreased to 4,500 m. Conversely, in winter (–21 °C; snow depth up to 16.5 cm), horses traveled up to 12,500 m/day seeking forage. Increased movement corresponded with reduced milk yield: mares covering 8,300–8,400 m produced 4.67 ± 0.14 L/day, whereas those covering 5,200–5,300 m yielded 7.20 ± 0.12 L/day, a 16.7% difference (P<0.01). These results emphasize the need to consider weather patterns, pasture quality, and stocking density in pasture planning. The role of ethological adaptation and seasonal behavior is central to optimizing productivity under extensive conditions. This study supports the development of seasonal pasture rotation schemes, the improvement of adaptive responses to climate extremes, and the implementation of GPS-based monitoring to increase the welfare and management of herd horses.