Compliance, cooperation, conditioning and cognition: four Cs in the assessment of the horse-rider dyad.

This research article explores how physiological measures, such as heart rate, can be used to assess the emotional state and wellbeing of horses in horse-rider pairs, or ‘dyads’. It discusses the considerations in using these measurements to judge the effectiveness of pairing between a rider and horse, taking into account conditions like compliance, cooperation, conditioning and cognition of the horse.

Assessing Horse-Rider Dyads

• The authors of this study used unique object challenges to judge harmony and compatibility between horses and riders. Aspects used included heart rate monitoring of horse and rider, analysis of heart rate variability, and behaviour scores assessed by an independent observer.
• A successful ‘match’ was recorded when there were minimal signs of discomfort from the horse and careful, non-invasive cues from the rider. Conversely, a ‘mismatch’ was indicated by signs of discomfort in the horse, poor timing of cues from rider and insufficient response by the horse to rider’s cues.
• The results indicated that ‘mismatched’ horse-rider pairs had higher heart rates (indicating stress) than ‘matched’ pairs. The researchers suggested that efficient and suitable pairing resulted in less stress for the horse during challenging situations.

Training Techniques

• The study criticizes traditional horse-training concepts that envision horses as submissive animals needing humans’ control. It highlights the issue of misunderstanding horse-rider communication and depicts how it can lead to unnecessary stress for the horse and even accidents.
• It suggests that successful horse-rider communication depends heavily on effective training, where the horse recognizes cues from its training history and responds correctly, rather than the expectations originating from human goals.

Considerations in Horse-Rider Dyads

• The study discusses conflicts within the horse, suggesting that high heart rates can be an indication of a conflict between the cues provided by the rider and external stimuli.
• The article suggests traits increasing likelihood of losing control in stress-inducing circumstances may be inherent temperament traits in horses. It further highlights the importance of consistent training and matching horse traits with specific tasks for efficient functioning of the horse-rider dyad.

Conclusions

• The study praises using heart rate as a potential measure for psychological arousal in horses, but advises caution in asserting it as an indicator of effective horse-rider pairing without thorough understanding and control of fundamental stimulus/response relationships within the dyad.
• It concludes that a ‘non-compliant’ label could be inaccurately attributed to a horse, which more accurately may reflect poor training practices, and thus the focus should be shifted towards improving training rather than dismissing the horse.