Abstract
The study assumes that there is a possibility of a measurable evaluation of individual effects of desensitization of young horses which can be useful in predicting their appropriable predispositions. The aim of the study was therefore to design a method for assessing the effects of desensitizing horses using a conglomerate of previously selected features. The study included 28 young half-breed stallions and mares, which were subjected to desensitization during three days, using the Silversand Horsemanship’s method. During desensitization consisting of ten elements partial HR and its duration were measured; besides, the horses were scored for their behavior. Based on the features selected for the greatest SD and the score for their value determined based on the assignment to five main compartments, a pattern to evaluate the effects of desensitization of stallions and mares was developed. The results were obtained through the multivariate analysis of variance and the t-Tukey’s test. It was found that a greater emotional stability, in not stereotyped situations, can be expected in stallions. Therefore, the effectiveness of desensitization should increase by adjusting its course to the horses’ sex. It should also be noted that a small variation of horses’ ratings given by the coach indicates that this type of method can be treated only as complementary to the measurable methods. It seems, therefore, that the use of the method proposed in this study, of how to assess the effects of desensitization through measurable and unmeasurable features that are the most changeable, can be helpful in selecting horses from which special psychological traits will be required.
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