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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Age-Related Changes in the Behaviour of Domestic Horses as R...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(12); doi: 10.3390/ani10122321

Age-Related Changes in the Behaviour of Domestic Horses as Reported by Owners.

Abstract: The broad traits of boldness and independence in domestic horses can affect their usefulness and, indirectly, their welfare. The objective of the current study was to explore associations between attributes that reflect equine boldness and independence with both the age of horses and the age at which they were started under saddle, as well as other variables including breed, colour and primary equestrian discipline. All data were sourced from responses (n = 1940) to the 97-question online Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ). Twenty E-BARQ items from the dataset were selected to reflect boldness and independence and were tested for univariate significance at p < 0.2. Multivariable modelling of the effect of age on remaining traits was assessed by an ordinal logistic regression, using a cumulative log odds model. This revealed that older horses were bolder (p = 0.012). However, horses started under saddle at an older age were less bold and less independent (p = 0.040 and p = 0.010, respectively). Australian Stock Horses were bolder and more independent (p = 0.014 and p = 0.007, respectively) than crossbreed horses. Horses used for breeding conformation (p = 0.039), working equitation (p = 0.045), eventing (p = 0.044) and traditional working horses (p = 0.034) were bolder than those used for other disciplines. Dressage (p = 0.039) and therapy (p = 0.040) horses were less bold than horses used for other disciplines. Stallions were bolder (p = -0.034) than geldings. Brown (p = 0.049) and chestnut (p = 0.027) horses were less bold than bay horses. Compared to crossbreed horses, Thoroughbreds (p = 0.000) and companion horses (p = 0.017) were less bold whilst heavy horses (p = 0.029) and ponies (p = 0.044) were bolder. Compared to pleasure horses, mounted games horses (p = 0.033) were less independent whereas working equitation horses (p = 0.020) were more independent. Riders with more than eight years' experience reported more independence in their horses (p = 0.015) than those who had ridden their whole lives. The study findings suggest that boldness and independence are separate traits and only boldness was associated with the age of the horse. Factors that relate to desirable boldness and independence are important in ridden horses because they can affect rider safety. Results from this study should improve horse-rider matching and thereby potentially enhance horse welfare.
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Publication Date: 2020-12-07 PubMed ID: 33297447PubMed Central: PMC7762420DOI: 10.3390/ani10122321Google 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.

This study investigates the age-related behaviour changes in domestic horses, focusing on attributes such as boldness and independence. It uses data from responses to the Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ) to examine how various factors like age, breed, and the age at which horses are started under saddle influence these behaviours. The results suggest that as horses age, they tend to become bolder, and certain breeds exhibit higher levels of boldness and independence.

Methods

  • The study drew data from 1940 responses to the 97-question online Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ).
  • Twenty questions from the E-BARQ that reflected the traits of boldness and independence in horses were used for the analysis.
  • Statistical methods included testing for univariate significance and analyzing the effect of age on traits through ordinal logistic regression using a cumulative log odds model.

Findings

  • The research found that older horses exhibited more boldness compared to their younger counterparts.
  • However, horses that started under saddle at an older age were less bold and less independent.
  • Certain breeds like Australian Stock Horses were reported to be bolder and more independent than crossbreed horses.
  • In terms of equestrian disciplines, horses used primarily for breeding conformation, working equitation, eventing and traditional work tended to be bolder than horses used in other disciplines, while dressage and therapy horses displayed less boldness.
  • The study also found that stallions were bolder than geldings.
  • The horse’s coat colour had an effect on their boldness; Bay horses were bolder than Brown and Chestnut ones.
  • Among the other breeds, Thoroughbreds and companion horses were less bold compared to heavy horses and ponies.
  • When it comes to independence, working equitation horses were more independent, whereas mounted games horses were less independent when compared with pleasure horses.
  • Riders who had more than eight years’ experience reported observing more independence in their horses.
  • The research suggests that boldness and independence are separate traits in horses, and only boldness was associated with the horse’s age.

Implications

  • The research reaffirms the notion that desirable characteristics in horses such as boldness and independence can greatly affect rider safety. Being aware of these traits allows for better horse-rider pairing which in turn could enhance horse welfare.
  • The results of this study may be particularly useful for equestrians and horse owners when considering age, breed, and other variables while choosing a horse, tailoring training regimens, or addressing behavioural issues.

Cite This Article

APA
Burattini B, Fenner K, Anzulewicz A, Romness N, McKenzie J, Wilson B, McGreevy P. (2020). Age-Related Changes in the Behaviour of Domestic Horses as Reported by Owners. Animals (Basel), 10(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10122321

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 12

Researcher Affiliations

Burattini, Bibiana
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
Fenner, Kate
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
Anzulewicz, Ashley
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
Romness, Nicole
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
McKenzie, Jessica
  • School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
Wilson, Bethany
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
McGreevy, Paul
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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