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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(5); 671; doi: 10.3390/ani15050671

Assessing Equine Behavioural Responses in Equine-Assisted Services: A Field Study Analysis.

Abstract: Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) offer significant benefits for individuals with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. However, ensuring the welfare of the horses involved remains a key ethical concern. The objective of this study was to assess the affective states of horses involved in EAS while also establishing behavioural thresholds for indicators of positive or negative affective states. A total of 98 horses were observed over a two-month period, accumulating data about horse behaviour and session characteristics from 830 EAS sessions. Horses participating in coaching programs averaged four sessions in two months; those involved in therapeutic riding averaged 31 sessions. Equine behaviour and field experts defined behavioural thresholds to assess welfare standards. Negative state behaviours were predominantly aligned within excellent or neutral thresholds, while positive state behaviours were observed from unacceptable to excellent. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the gathered behavioural data identified six affective states in coaching sessions and four in therapeutic riding, explaining 63% and 73% of the total variation, respectively. Among these states, "comfortable" was the most frequently observed. Multiple linear regression showed several significant variables, highlighting the importance of health, suitable horse selection, and proper management in promoting positive affective states in EAS.
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Publication Date: 2025-02-25 PubMed ID: 40075954PubMed Central: PMC11898872DOI: 10.3390/ani15050671Google 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 evaluated the emotional states of horses used in Equine-Assisted Services (EAS), a therapy method for individuals with intellectual or physical disabilities, and established behavioural criteria for assessing those states to ensure the welfare of the animals. The research found a range of emotional states among the horses, with the most common being “comfortable,” and identified variables like health, proper selection, and effective management as key components for maintaining positive experiences for the horses.

Study Methodology

  • The study involved observing 98 horses over a two-month period during their participation in EAS programs. This included gathering data related to horse behaviour and session characteristics from a total of 830 EAS sessions.
  • Horses involved in coaching programs averaged four sessions in the two months, while those participating in therapeutic riding programs averaged 31 sessions.
  • The researchers also established behavioural thresholds, defined in collaboration with equine behaviour and field experts, to assess welfare standards. These thresholds were based on indications of positive or negative affective (emotional) states in the horses.

Study Findings

  • The horses’ behaviour indicating negative emotional states fell predominantly within the ‘excellent’ or ‘neutral’ categories, while behaviours indicating positive states ranged from ‘unacceptable’ to ‘excellent.’
  • Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), a statistical procedure that simplifies complex data sets, the researchers were able to identify six affective states during coaching sessions and four during therapeutic riding sessions.
  • In total, these affective states accounted for 63% and 73% of all variation in horse behaviour in the respective types of sessions.
  • The most frequently observed emotional state among the horses in both types of sessions was “comfortable.”
  • The analysis also revealed several significant variables that affected the horses’ emotional states, particularly health, suitable horse selection, and proper management. These factors highlighted the importance of thoughtful consideration and practices in maintaining the well-being of the horses used in EAS.

Implications of Study

  • The study’s results emphasize the importance of considering the emotional states of horses in EAS programs and provide a clear indication of the need for established behavioural thresholds and appropriate interventions to ensure animal welfare.
  • The findings also highlight practical steps EAS providers can take, such as choosing the right horses and effectively managing their care, to create a positive experience for the animals involved.

Cite This Article

APA
Visser EK, Jens AL, Nieuwe Weme LE, Spaapen AA, Maarleveld KN, Enzerink KH, Tromp PN, Haven-Pross SC. (2025). Assessing Equine Behavioural Responses in Equine-Assisted Services: A Field Study Analysis. Animals (Basel), 15(5), 671. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15050671

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 5
PII: 671

Researcher Affiliations

Visser, E Kathalijne
  • Department of Applied Research, Aeres University of Applied Sciences Dronten, De Drieslag 4, 8251 JZ Dronten, The Netherlands.
Jens, Anna L
  • Department of Applied Research, Aeres University of Applied Sciences Dronten, De Drieslag 4, 8251 JZ Dronten, The Netherlands.
Nieuwe Weme, Lydia E
  • Department of Applied Research, Aeres University of Applied Sciences Dronten, De Drieslag 4, 8251 JZ Dronten, The Netherlands.
Spaapen, Ayella A
  • Department of Applied Research, Aeres University of Applied Sciences Dronten, De Drieslag 4, 8251 JZ Dronten, The Netherlands.
Maarleveld, Kyra N
  • Department of Applied Research, Aeres University of Applied Sciences Dronten, De Drieslag 4, 8251 JZ Dronten, The Netherlands.
Enzerink, Kitty H
  • Department of Applied Research, Aeres University of Applied Sciences Dronten, De Drieslag 4, 8251 JZ Dronten, The Netherlands.
Tromp, Pieter N
  • Department of Applied Research, Aeres University of Applied Sciences Dronten, De Drieslag 4, 8251 JZ Dronten, The Netherlands.
Haven-Pross, Sandra C
  • Department of Applied Research, Aeres University of Applied Sciences Dronten, De Drieslag 4, 8251 JZ Dronten, The Netherlands.

Grant Funding

  • RAAK MKB14.017 / Taskforce for Applied Research
  • institutional funding / Aeres University of Applied Sciences

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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