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Frontiers in veterinary science2022; 9; 789260; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.789260

A comparison of different established and novel methods to determine horses’ laterality and their relation to rein tension.

Abstract: The present study aimed to assess an agreement between established and novel methods to determine laterality and to identify the distribution of laterality in warmbloods and Thoroughbreds. Nine different methods to investigate a horses' laterality outside a riding context and during riding were compared across two groups of horses (sample A: 67 warmblood- type horses, sample B: 61 Thoroughbreds). Agreement between any two methods was assessed by calculating Cohen's kappa with McNemar's test or Bowker's Test of Symmetry, and the deviation from equal distributions was assessed with chi2-tests. Continuous variables such as rein tension parameters were analyzed using ANOVA or linear mixed models. Generally, laterality test results obtained outside a riding context did not agree with laterality during riding or among each other (Bonferroni corrected p > 0.0018). However, the rider's assessment of her/his horse's laterality allowed conclusions on rein tension symmetry (p = 0.003), and it also agreed substantially with the lateral displacement of the hindquarters (p = 0.0003), a method that was newly developed in the present study. The majority of warmbloods had their hindquarters displaced to the right (73.1%, X2 = 14.3; p < 0.0001). The pattern of lateral displacement of the hindquarters was similar in the Thoroughbred sample (right: 60.7%, left: 39.3%), but did not deviate significantly from an equal distribution (X2 = 2.8; p > 0.05). Laterality seems to be manifested in different ways, which generally are not related to each other. Attention should be paid to the desired information when selecting methods for the assessment of laterality. Horses' laterality has an impact on the magnitude and symmetry of rein tension. Matching horses and riders according to their laterality might be beneficial for the stability of rein tension and thus improve training.
Copyright © 2022 Kuhnke and König von Borstel.
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Publication Date: 2022-09-15 PubMed ID: 36187838PubMed Central: PMC9521178DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.789260Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research study focuses on comparing various established and new methods to determine ‘laterality’ in horses, and their relationship to rein tension. Laterality refers to a preference for using one side of the body, similar to right or left-handedness in humans. The stakes lie in its potential impact on rein tension, affecting stability and training effectiveness.

Study Objective and Methodology

  • The objective of this study was to evaluate the agreement between various traditional and new methods to determine laterality in horses, and find the distribution pattern of laterality in warmbloods and Thoroughbreds.
  • Nine methods were used to study horses’ laterality outside a riding context and during riding. These methods were compared across two groups of horses – Sample A included 67 warmblood-type horses while Sample B included 61 Thoroughbreds.

Data Analysis

  • Agreement between different methods was established by calculating Cohen’s kappa with McNemar’s test or Bowker’s test of symmetry.
  • The deviation from equal distributions was evaluated using chi-tests.
  • Continuous variables such as rein tension parameters were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) or linear mixed models.

Results and Findings

  • The results revealed that laterality tests conducted outside a riding context did not concur with those conducted during riding.
  • Conversely, the rider’s judgement of their horse’s laterality permitted conclusions about rein tension symmetry and agreed significantly with the lateral displacement of the hindquarters. This was a method developed in this study.
  • Most warmbloods (73.1%) showed displacement of their hindquarters to the right.

Implications and Conclusion

  • The researchers concluded that laterality manifests in various forms that usually do not have any relationship with each other.
  • Care must be taken when selecting methods to evaluate laterality based on the desired information. This is due to the impact that a horse’s laterality has on the magnitude and symmetry of rein tension.
  • Hence, matching horses and riders according to their laterality could provide training benefits by improving rein tension stability.

Cite This Article

APA
Kuhnke S, König von Borstel U. (2022). A comparison of different established and novel methods to determine horses’ laterality and their relation to rein tension. Front Vet Sci, 9, 789260. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.789260

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 9
Pages: 789260

Researcher Affiliations

Kuhnke, Sandra
  • Department of Animal Breeding, Kassel University, Kassel, Germany.
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Group Animal Husbandry, Behaviour and Welfare, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
König von Borstel, Uta
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Group Animal Husbandry, Behaviour and Welfare, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Gottingen, Gottingen, Germany.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Haussler KK, le Jeune SS, MacKechnie-Guire R, Latif SN, Clayton HM. The Challenge of Defining Laterality in Horses: Is It Laterality or Just Asymmetry?. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 21;15(3).
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  2. Egenvall A, Clayton HM, Byström A. Pilot study of locomotor asymmetry in horses walking in circles with and without a rider. PeerJ 2023;11:e16373.
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  3. Leclercq A, Lundblad J, Persson-Sjodin E, Ask K, Zetterberg E, Hernlund E, Haubro Andersen P, Rhodin M. Perceived sidedness and correlation to vertical movement asymmetries in young warmblood horses. PLoS One 2023;18(7):e0288043.
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