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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(12); 2431; doi: 10.3390/ani10122431

Associations between Owners’ Reports of Unwanted Ridden Behaviour and In-Hand Behaviour in Horses.

Abstract: An evidence-based understanding of dangerous or unwelcome behaviour in horses would greatly benefit both horses and humans who interact with them. Using owner-reported data from the Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ), the current study investigated in-hand behaviours associated with dangerous or unwelcome ridden behaviours, notably bolting, rearing and bucking. Respondents ( = 1584) to the ridden horse section of the E-BARQ answered 42 demographic questions, followed by 268 behavioural items. Parallel analysis was conducted to group individual behaviours into rotated components to create independent and dependent indices. Multivariable general linear modelling and ordinal logistic regression were used to identify behaviours associated with bolting, rearing and bucking. Results revealed that safety-from-bolt increased as social confidence with horses (Odds ratio (OR) = 1.06; 95% confidence interval (cf = 1.02-1.09) and other animals (OR = 1.08; cf = 1.03-1.12), compliance in-hand (OR = 1.10; cf = 1.06-1.16) and tolerance of restraint (OR = 1.05; cf = 1.0-1.11) increased; and decreased as loading problems (OR = 0.95; cf = 0.92-0.99) increased. Safety-from-rear increased as tolerance of restraint (OR = 1.07; cf = 1.02-1.12) and social confidence with other animals (OR = 1.05; cf = 1.01-1.09) increased; and decreased as loading problems (OR = 0.94; cf = 0.91-0.98) increased. Safety-from-buck increased as social confidence with horses (b-value = 0.011, < 0.001) and other animals (b-value = 0.010, = 0.002), compliance in-hand (b-value = 0.015, < 0.001), tolerance of restraint (b-value = 0.009, = 0.027) and tolerance of haltering/bridling (b-value = 0.016, = 0.010) increased, and it decreased as loading problems increased (b-value = -0.011, < 0.001). By revealing, for the first time, that specific behaviours on the ground are associated with particular responses in the same horses when ridden, this study advances equitation science considerably. Identification of risk factors for dangerous behaviour while under saddle can improve safety for horses and riders and highlights the importance of effective and humane in-hand training.
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Publication Date: 2020-12-18 PubMed ID: 33353091PubMed Central: PMC7766975DOI: 10.3390/ani10122431Google 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 on the relationship between horses’ in-hand behaviours and their undesirable behaviours when ridden, such as bolting, rearing, and bucking. The authors based their findings on data gathered from owners using the Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire. The study supports that specific behaviours displayed by horses during handling can predict their reactions when ridden, which can enhance safety during horse riding and training.

Methodology

  • The researchers made use of the Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ) which contains data reported by horse owners.
  • A total of 1,584 respondents partook in the ridden horse section of the E-BARQ. They responded to 42 demographic questions and 268 horse behaviour-related items.
  • The team conducted a parallel analysis to group the individual behaviours into independent and dependent indices represented as rotated components.
  • The use of multivariable general linear modelling and ordinal logistic regression aided to identify the behaviours connected with bolting, rearing, and bucking in horses.

Results

  • Results showed that the safety from a horse bolting, rearing, or bucking increased with the horse’s social confidence with fellow horses and other animals, compliance when handled, and tolerance of restraint.
  • Conversely, the horse’s safety decreased as problems in loading the horse increased.
  • The researchers also found a correlation between greater safety from bucking and tolerance of haltering/bridling.

Significance of the Study

  • This study, the first of its kind, established that specific in-hand behaviours in horses are associated with their responses when ridden.
  • Such findings considerably advance the science of equitation (the art and practice of horse riding and horse care).
  • It emphasizes the importance of effective and humane training and handling of horses to improve safety for both the horses and the riders.
  • The identification of risk determinants for dangerous behaviour while under saddle can help prevent accidents and improve overall practices in equitation.

Cite This Article

APA
Romness N, Fenner K, McKenzie J, Anzulewicz A, Burattini B, Wilson B, McGreevy P. (2020). Associations between Owners’ Reports of Unwanted Ridden Behaviour and In-Hand Behaviour in Horses. Animals (Basel), 10(12), 2431. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10122431

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 12
PII: 2431

Researcher Affiliations

Romness, Nicole
  • 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.
McKenzie, Jessica
  • School of Life and Environmental Sciences, 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.
Burattini, Bibiana
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, 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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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Knox AL, Fenner K, Zsoldos RR, Wilson B, McGreevy P. Owner-Observed Behavioral Characteristics in Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds (OTTTBs) in Equestrian Second Careers. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 11;15(14).
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