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Behavioural processes2009; 82(2); 202-210; doi: 10.1016/j.beproc.2009.06.012

A preliminary study of the effects of handling type on horses’ emotional reactivity and the human-horse relationship.

Abstract: Handling is a crucial component of the human-horse relationship. Here, we report data from an experiment conducted to assess and compare the effect of two training methods. Two groups of six Welsh mares were trained during four sessions of 50 min, one handled with traditional exercises (halter leading, grooming/brushing, lifting feet, lunging and pseudo-saddling (using only girth and saddle pad) and the second group with natural horsemanship exercises (desensitization, yielding to body pressure, lunging and free-lunging). Emotional reactivity (ER) and the human-horse relationship (HHR) were assessed both prior to and following handling. A social isolation test, a neophobia test and a bridge test were used to assess ER. HHR was assessed through test of spontaneous approach to, and forced approach by, an unknown human. Horses' ER decreased after both types of handling as indicated by decreases in the occurrence of whinnying during stressful situations. Head movement (jerk/shake) was the most sensitive variable to handling type. In the spontaneous approach tests, horses in the traditional handling group showed higher latencies to approach a motionless person after handling than did the natural horsemanship group. Our study suggests that natural horsemanship exercises could be more efficient than traditional exercises for improving horses' HHR.
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Publication Date: 2009-07-08 PubMed ID: 19591910DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2009.06.012Google 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 article presents a study examining the impact of two different handling/training methods on the emotional behavior and human-horse relationship of Welsh mares. It reveals that natural horsemanship exercises may be more beneficial in enhancing the human-horse relationship as compared to traditional exercises.

Details of the Experiment

  • The study conducted an experiment on twelve Welsh mares, split into two groups of six. Each group underwent four sessions of 50-minute training.
  • One group was trained using traditional exercises that included halter leading, grooming/brushing, lifting feet, lunging, and pseudo-saddling.
  • The second group was trained using natural horsemanship exercises which involved desensitization, yielding to body pressure, lunging, and free lunging.

Measurement of Emotional Reactivity and Human-Horse Relationship

  • Prior to and after the handling exercises, emotional reactivity (ER) and the human-horse relationship (HHR) in the horses were assessed. There were three tests conducted to assess ER: a social isolation test, a neophobia test, and a bridge test.
  • The assessment of HHR was done through a spontaneous approach to, and a forced approach by, an unknown person to the horse.

Results of the Study

  • As per the findings, the emotional reactiveness of the horses reduced after both types of handling. This was evident in the decrease in occurrences of whinnying, which is a vocal expression, during stressful situations.
  • The research found out that the type of head movement (jerk/shake) was the most sensitive variable to handling type.
  • In the spontaneous approach tests, the horses from the traditional handling group showed higher latencies or delays in approaching a motionless person after handling. This response was lesser in the horses from the natural horsemanship group, suggesting a better HHR.
  • The study concludes that natural horsemanship exercises could be potentially more efficient than traditional exercises for improving horses’ HHR and reducing their emotional reactivity.

Cite This Article

APA
Fureix C, Pagès M, Bon R, Lassalle JM, Kuntz P, Gonzalez G. (2009). A preliminary study of the effects of handling type on horses’ emotional reactivity and the human-horse relationship. Behav Processes, 82(2), 202-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2009.06.012

Publication

Behavioural processes
ISSN: 1872-8308
NlmUniqueID: 7703854
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 82
Issue: 2
Pages: 202-210

Researcher Affiliations

Fureix, Carole
  • Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, UMR 5169 - UFR SVT - Université Paul Sabatier, 31062 Toulouse, France.
Pagès, Magali
    Bon, Richard
      Lassalle, Jean-Michel
        Kuntz, Philippe
          Gonzalez, Georges

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Behavior, Animal / physiology
            • Fear
            • Female
            • Handling, Psychological
            • Horses / psychology
            • Humans
            • Learning
            • Object Attachment
            • Social Isolation
            • Temperament / physiology
            • Video Recording

            Citations

            This article has been cited 24 times.
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