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Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / Alternatives to conventional evaluation of rideability in ho...
PloS one2014; 9(1); e87285; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087285

Alternatives to conventional evaluation of rideability in horse performance tests: suitability of rein tension and behavioural parameters.

Abstract: Rideability, i.e. the ease and comfort with which a horse can be ridden, is considered to be one of the most important traits in riding horses. However, at present rideability is evaluated rather subjectively in breeding horse performance tests. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role horse behaviour as well as degree and quality of rein tension might play in judges' evaluation of horses' rideability. Mares (n=33) and stallions (n=13) from two different mare- and one stallion-testing station were observed twice during their performance test dressage training. During these rides, rein tension was measured continuously, and frequency of behaviour patterns such as head-tossing, tail swishing, and snorting was recorded. Rein tension parameters showed reasonable repeatabilities within horse-rider pairs (e.g. mean rein tension: r(2)=0.61 ± 0.11; variance of rein tension: r(2)=0.52 ± 0.14). Regression analysis revealed that a larger proportion of variance in rideability scores could be explained by maximum (17%), mean (16%) and variance (15%) of rein tension compared to horses' or riders' behavioural parameters (tail-swishing: 5% and rider's use of hands: 5%, respectively). According to mixed model analysis, rideability scores dropped (all P<0.05) with increasing mean, maximum and variability in rein tension (e.g. -0.37 ± 0.14 scores per additional 10 Newton in mean tension). However, mean rein tension differed between testing stations (P<0.0001) ranging between 9.1 ± 1.6 N in one station and 21.7 ± 1.3 N in another station. These results indicate that quantity and consistency of rein tension is either directly or indirectly an important factor for judges to derive rideability scores. Given the importance of rein tension parameters to both rider comfort and horse welfare, potentially, measurements of rein tension along with behaviour observations assessing the quality of rein contact (e.g. distinguishing a light contact from attempts to evade contact) might be used to make the assessment of rideability more impartial.
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Publication Date: 2014-01-29 PubMed ID: 24489890PubMed Central: PMC3906164DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087285Google 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 explores alternatives to the subjective evaluation of rideability in horse performance tests, suggesting the examination of rein tension and horse behaviour could provide more objective measures. It concludes that these factors may significantly influence the rideability scores given by judges.

Objective of the Study

  • The research was geared towards determining the potential role of horse behaviour and the degree and quality of rein tension in the assessment of horses’ rideability.
  • Rideability is a critical aspect in riding horses, reflecting how easily and comfortably a horse can be ridden, and at the moment, it is assessed quite subjectively in performance tests.

Methodology

  • The research involved 33 mares and 13 stallions from two different mare- and one stallion-testing stations, monitored during their performance test dressage training.
  • Rein tension was measured consistently, and behaviour patterns such as head-tossing, tail swishing, and snorting were noted.

Key Findings

  • The study found that factors such as maximum (17%), mean (16%) and variance (15%) of rein tension explained a larger portion of variance in rideability scores compared to other behaviours and rider actions.
  • Rideability scores dropped with increasing mean, maximum and variability in rein tension.
  • The average rein tension varied between different testing stations, ranging from 9.1 ± 1.6 N in one station to 21.7 ± 1.3 N in another one.
  • Thus, the consistency and extent of rein tension is either directly or indirectly a significant parameter for judges when determining rideability scores.

Implications

  • The researchers suggest that measurements of rein tension along with behaviour observations, such as the quality of rein contact, could be factors that help make rideability assessment more objective.
  • This is a significant finding as rein tension parameters are not just important for the comfort of the rider but also for the welfare of the horse.

Cite This Article

APA
König von Borstel U, Glißman C. (2014). Alternatives to conventional evaluation of rideability in horse performance tests: suitability of rein tension and behavioural parameters. PLoS One, 9(1), e87285. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0087285

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
Pages: e87285

Researcher Affiliations

König von Borstel, Uta
  • Department of Animal Science, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
Glißman, Chantal
  • Department of Animal Science, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Female
  • Handling, Psychological
  • Horses / psychology
  • Male
  • Recreation
  • Reproducibility of Results

Conflict of Interest Statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

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