Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer

Vol. 38 No. 1 (2022)

Articles

Assessment of relationships between reactions of horses during everyday use

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/jasbb.2022.1.3
Submitted: January 4, 2022
Published: 2022-03-30

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess whether observations of a horse’s reactions during everyday activities can be used to predict its behaviour during riding. The study was conducted on 60 horses of the Malopolski breed, aged 5 to 15 years. The horses were kept in three riding stables, in a box system. The data were obtained from an interview conducted with a person responsible for the daily grooming and handling of the horses. Observations covered at least half a year of daily contact with the horse. The horses’ behaviour was analysed before feeding, during preparation for riding, and during riding. The research shows that aggressive behaviours before feeding may be a marker of inappropriate reactions before and during recreational riding. Initial activities preparing the horse, i.e. approaching the animal, grooming, bridling and saddling, can be used as a ‘test’ to evaluate and predict the quality of the ride. Problems with these procedures also suggest significant problems during riding. The behaviour of the animal before feeding and during preparations for riding should be considered an important indicator of riding safety and comfort.

References

  1. Christensen J.W., Rundgren M., Olsson K., 2006. Training methods for horses: habituation to a frightening stimulus. Equine Vet. J. 38, 439–443. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516406778400574 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2746/042516406778400574
  2. Cooper J.J., 2007. Equine learning behaviour: common knowledge and systematic research. Behav. Process. 76, 24–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2006.12.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2006.12.009
  3. Fureix C., Jego P., Sankey C., Hausberger M., 2009. How horses (Equuscaballus) see the world: humans as significant ‘objects’. Anim. Cogn. 12, 643–654. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-009-0223-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-009-0223-2
  4. Hanggi E.B., Ingersoll J.F., 2009. Long-term memory for categories and concepts in horses (Equuscaballus). Anim. Cogn. 12, 451–462. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-008-0205-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-008-0205-9
  5. Hausberger M., Muller C., 2002. A brief note on some possible factors involved in the reactions of horses to humans. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 76, 339–344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim. 2007.04.015 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1591(02)00016-3
  6. Hockenhull J., Creighton E., 2010. Management routine risk factors associated with handling and stabled-related behavior problems in UK leisure horses. J. Vet. Behav. 1, 57–58. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.jveb.2009.09.012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2009.09.012
  7. Jastrzębska E., Wilk I., 2019. Influence of age and experience rider on differentiate the behaviour of recreational horses being prepared for use. Anim. Sci. J. 89 (12), 1712–1718. https://doi.org/10.1111/asj.13109 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/asj.13109
  8. Kozak A., Zięba G., Tietze M., Rozempolska-Rucińska I., 2018. Consistency of emotional reactivity assessment results obtained in different behavioural tests. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 205, 54–60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2018.05.013
  9. Lansade L., Simona F., 2010. Horses’ learning performances are under the influence of several temperamental dimensions. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 125, 30–37. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2010.02.010
  10. Mc Lean A.N., Christensen J.W., 2017. The application of learning theory in horse training. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 190, 18–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2017.02.020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2017.02.020
  11. McCall C.A., 1990. A review of learning behavior in horses and its application in horse training. J. Anim. Sci. 68, 75–81.
  12. Mendl M., Burman O.P.H., Parker R.M.A., Paul E.S., 2009. Cognitive bias as an indicator of animal emotion and welfare: emerging evidence and underlying mechanisms. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 118, 161–181. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2009.02.023
  13. Murphy J., Arkins S., 2007. Equine learning behaviour. Behav. Process. 76, 1–13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2006.06.009
  14. Newton S.A., Knottebbelt D.C., Eldridge P.R., 2000. Headshaking in horses: possible aetiopathogenesis suggested by the results of diagnostic tests and several treatment regimes used in 20 cases. Equine Vet. J. 32, 208–216. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2746/042516400776563617
  15. Press J.M., Davis P.D., Wiesner S.L., Heinemann A., Semik P., Addison R.G., 1995. The national jockey injury study: an analysis of injuries to professional horse-racing jockeys. Clin. J. Sport Med. 5, 4, 236–240. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/00042752-199510000-00005
  16. Roberts K., Hemmings A.J., McBride S.D., Parker M.O., 2017. Causal factors of oral versus locomotor stereotypy in the horse. J. Vet. Beh. 20, 37–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb. 2017.05.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2017.05.003
  17. Rozempolska-Rucińska I., Trojan M., Kosik E., Próchniak T., Górecka-Bruzda A., 2013. How “natural” training methods can affect equine mental state? A critical approach – a review. Anim. Sci. Pap. Rep. 31, 3, 185–194.
  18. Sankey C., Richard-Yris M.A., Séverine H., Fureix C., Nassur F., Hausberger M., 2010. Reinforcement as a mediator of the perception of humans by horses (Equuscaballus). Anim. Cogn. 13, 753–64. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-010-0326-9

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Similar Articles

<< < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.