An analysis of equine round pen training videos posted online: Differences between amateur and professional trainers.
Abstract: Natural Horsemanship is popular among many amateur and professional trainers and as such, has been the subject of recent scientific enquiry. One method commonly adopted by Natural Horsemanship (NH) trainers is that of round pen training (RPT). RPT sessions are usually split into a series of bouts; each including two phases: chasing/flight and chasing offset/flight offset. However, NH training styles are heterogeneous. This study investigated online videos of RPT to explore the characteristics of RPT sessions and test for differences in techniques and outcomes between amateurs and professionals (the latter being defined as those with accompanying online materials that promote clinics, merchandise or a service to the public). From more than 300 candidate videos, we selected sample files for individual amateur (n = 24) and professional (n = 21) trainers. Inclusion criteria were: training at liberty in a Round Pen; more than one bout and good quality video. Sessions or portions of sessions were excluded if the trainer attached equipment, such as a lunge line, directly to the horse or the horse was saddled, mounted or ridden. The number of bouts and duration of each chasing and non-chasing phase were recorded, and the duration of each RPT session was calculated. General weighted regression analysis revealed that, when compared with amateurs, professionals showed fewer arm movements per bout (p<0.05). Poisson regression analysis showed that professionals spent more time looking up at their horses, when transitioning between gaits, than amateurs did (p<0.05). The probability of horses following the trainer was not significantly associated with amount of chasing, regardless of category. Given that, according to some practitioners, the following response is a goal of RPT, this result may prompt caution in those inclined to give chase. The horses handled by professionals showed fewer conflict behaviours (e.g. kicking, biting, stomping, head-tossing, defecating, bucking and attempting to escape), and fewer oral and head movements (e.g. head-lowering, licking and chewing) than those horses handled by amateurs Overall, these findings highlight the need for selectivity when using the internet as an educational source and the importance of trainer skill and excellent timing when using negative reinforcement in horse training.
Publication Date: 2017-09-18 PubMed ID: 28922395PubMed Central: PMC5602637DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184851Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The article speaks about the study comparing the techniques and outcomes of equine round pen training (RPT) by amateur and professional trainers based on video samples available online. The study indicated that professionals generally exhibited fewer arm movements, spent more time looking at their horses while transitioning between gaits, and their horses showed fewer conflict behaviors as compared to amateurs.
Method of the Study
- The research basis was a selection of over 45 videos sourced from the internet, depicting RPT sessions conducted by both amateur and professional trainers. The designation of ‘professional’ was based on whether they had online materials promoting services related to horse training.
- The study specifically chose videos where the training was being performed at liberty in a Round Pen, with more than one bout and of good quality.
- Exclusion criteria included sessions where the trainer used equipment like a lunge line directly on the horse or if the horse was saddled, mounted, or ridden.
- The researchers noted the number of bouts, duration of each chasing and non-chasing phase, and calculated the duration of each session.
Results and Interpretation
- The analysis revealed that professional trainers showed fewer arm movements per bout as compared to amateurs.
- Professionals also spent more time looking at their horses when transitioning between gaits.
- The probability of horses following the trainer was not significantly associated with the amount of chasing, regardless of whether the trainer was an amateur or a professional.
- Horses trained by professionals showed fewer conflict behaviours, such as kicking, biting, stomping, head-tossing, defecating, bucking, and trying to escape.
- Also, such horses showed fewer oral and head movements like head-lowering, licking, and chewing.
Conclusion and Implications
- The results indicate that professional trainers display more controlled and effective horse training techniques compared to amateurs.
- The study also indicates that the amount of chasing does not significantly influence the horse’s following response, contradicting what is assumed by some practitioners.
- The research highlights the need for caution when using the internet as an educational source for horse training and the importance of trainer skill and timing when using negative reinforcement in horse training.
Cite This Article
APA
Kydd E, Padalino B, Henshall C, McGreevy P.
(2017).
An analysis of equine round pen training videos posted online: Differences between amateur and professional trainers.
PLoS One, 12(9), e0184851.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0184851 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga, NSW, Australia.
- Hillydale Equine, Inverary Road, Bungonia, NSW, Australia.
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / physiology
- Humans
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / instrumentation
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / methods
- Video Recording
Conflict of Interest Statement
Competing Interests: It should be noted that one of the authors, Cathrynne Henshall, is employed by Hillydale Equine, and this company provided no funding for this study. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.
References
This article includes 49 references
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Faithfull R, Lewis K, Drury E, McBride S. Influences of Double Versus Snaffle Bridles on Equine Behaviour at Dressage Competitions and Factors That Interact with Their Effect. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jun 17;15(12).
- Carroll SL, Sykes BW, Mills PC. Moving toward Fear-Free Husbandry and Veterinary Care for Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Oct 24;12(21).
- Henshall C, Randle H, Francis N, Freire R. The effect of stress and exercise on the learning performance of horses. Sci Rep 2022 Feb 4;12(1):1918.
- Fernández Moya S, Iglesias Pastrana C, Marín Navas C, Ruíz Aguilera MJ, Delgado Bermejo JV, Navas González FJ. The Winner Takes it All: Risk Factors and Bayesian Modelling of the Probability of Success in Escaping from Big Cat Predation. Animals (Basel) 2021 Dec 28;12(1).
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