FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
PloS one2017; 12(3); e0174313; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174313

Effects of pre-conditioning on behavior and physiology of horses during a standardised learning task.

Abstract: Rein tension is used to apply pressure to control both ridden and unridden horses. The pressure is delivered by equipment such as the bit, which may restrict voluntary movement and cause changes in behavior and physiology. Managing the effects of such pressure on arousal level and behavioral indicators will optimise horse learning outcomes. This study examined the effect of training horses to turn away from bit pressure on cardiac outcomes and behavior (including responsiveness) over the course of eight trials in a standardised learning task. The experimental procedure consisted of a resting phase, treatment/control phase, standardised learning trials requiring the horses (n = 68) to step backwards in response to bit pressure and a recovery phase. As expected, heart rate increased (P = 0.028) when the handler applied rein tension during the treatment phase. The amount of rein tension required to elicit a response during treatment was higher on the left than the right rein (P = 0.009). Total rein tension required for trials reduced (P < 0.001) as they progressed, as did time taken (P < 0.001) and steps taken (P < 0.001). The incidence of head tossing decreased (P = 0.015) with the progression of the trials and was higher (P = 0.018) for the control horses than the treated horses. These results suggest that preparing the horses for the lesson and slightly raising their arousal levels, improved learning outcomes.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2017-03-30 PubMed ID: 28358892PubMed Central: PMC5373532DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174313Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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 indicates that training horses to turn away from bit pressure, essentially preparing them for the lesson, can improve their learning outcomes by inducing behavioural changes and physiological responses, such as increased heart rate.

Study Overview

  • The study aimed to understand how training horses to turn away from bit pressure could affect their cardiac outcomes and behaviour during a standardised learning task. This standardised learning task required horses to step backwards in response to bit pressure.
  • The experiment included various phases: a resting phase, treatment/control phase, the aforementioned learning trials, and a recovery phase. In total, 68 horses completed this experiment.

Findings

  • The heart rate of the horses was found to increase when the handler applied rein tension during the treatment phase, indicating a physiological response to the training.
  • The amount of rein tension needed to elicit a response from the horses was found to be higher on the left rein than the right.
  • As trials progressed, the total rein tension needed for the trials, the time taken for the trials, and the number of steps taken all decreased. This suggests that over time, the horses learnt to respond more efficiently and effectively to the rein tension.
  • The behaviour of the horses also exhibited a significant change – the incidence of ‘head tossing’, a common behaviour in horses indicating discomfort or stress, decreased as trials progressed. Moreover, this head tossing behaviour was found to be higher in control horses as compared to the ones that had been pre-trained, suggesting that pre-conditioning had a calming effect on the horses.
  • Overall, the results indicate that pre-conditioning enhances learning outcomes in horses, presumably by preparing them for the lesson and slightly increasing their arousal levels.

Implications

  • This study suggests that pre-training or conditioning might be a useful technique in horse training, especially considering the significant impact it seems to have on the horses’ learning outcomes.
  • These findings also offer insight into the effects of rein tension on the behaviour and physiology of horses, paving the way for more humane ways of horse training.
  • Moreover, understanding the impact of treatment on different sides (left and right) may lend value in more personalised horse training approaches, accounting for any side-specific responses

Cite This Article

APA
Fenner K, Webb H, Starling MJ, Freire R, Buckley P, McGreevy PD. (2017). Effects of pre-conditioning on behavior and physiology of horses during a standardised learning task. PLoS One, 12(3), e0174313. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0174313

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 3
Pages: e0174313

Researcher Affiliations

Fenner, Kate
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.
Webb, Holly
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Starling, Melissa J
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Freire, Rafael
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.
Buckley, Petra
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.
McGreevy, Paul D
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology
  • Gait / physiology
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Horses
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal

Conflict of Interest Statement

Competing Interests: Kate Fenner\'s current affiliation was not the affiliation of this author during the time of the study. Kate Fenner\'s affiliation with Kandoo Equine does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

References

This article includes 44 references
  1. Henshall C, McGreevy PD. The role of ethology in round pen horse training—A review.. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2014;155:1–11.
  2. Anderson C. Lessons Well Learned. Vermont, USA: Exisle Publishing Limited; 2009.
  3. Nibbeling N, Oudejans RRD, Ubink EM, Daanen HAM. The effects of anxiety and exercise-induced fatigue on shooting accuracy and cognitive performance in infantry soldiers.. Ergonomics 2014;57(9):1366–79.
    doi: 10.1080/00140139.2014.924572pubmed: 24926568google scholar: lookup
  4. Lambourne K, Tomporowski P. The effect of exercise-induced arousal on cognitive task performance: A meta-regression analysis.. Brain Research 2010;1341:12–24.
    doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.03.091pubmed: 20381468google scholar: lookup
  5. Goodwin D, McGreevy PD, Waran N, McLean AN. How equitation science can elucidate and refine horsemanship techniques.. The Veterinary Journal 2009;181:5–11.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.03.023pubmed: 19394880google scholar: lookup
  6. Cooper JJ. Comparative learning theory and its application in the training of horses.. Equine Clinical Behaviour 1998;27:39–43.
    pubmed: 10485003
  7. Cooper JJ. Comparative learning theory and its application in the training of horses.. Equine Clinical Behaviour 1998;(27):39–43.
    pubmed: 10485003
  8. Starling MJ, Cody D, Branson N, McGreevy PD. Conceptualising the Impact of Arousal and Affective State on Training Outcomes of Operant Conditioning.. Animals 2013;3(2):300.
    doi: 10.3390/ani3020300pmc: PMC4494394pubmed: 26487403google scholar: lookup
  9. Warren-Smith AK, McGreevy PD. Equestrian coaches' understanding and application of learning theory in horse training.(Report).. Anthrozoos 2008a;21(2):153.
  10. Hall C. Emotional behavior in the rat. I. Defecation and urination as measures of individual differences in emotionality.. Journal of Comparative Psychology 1935;18(3):385–403.
  11. McGreevy PD, Henshall C, Starling MJ, McLean AN, Boakes RA. The importance of safety signals in animal handling and training.. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 2014;6:382–7.
  12. Fureix C, Pagès M, Bon R, Lassalle J-M, Kuntz P, Gonzalez G. A preliminary study of the effects of handling type on horses’ emotional reactivity and the human–horse relationship.. Behavioural Processes 2009;82(2):202–10.
    doi: 10.1016/j.beproc.2009.06.012pubmed: 19591910google scholar: lookup
  13. McEwen BS. Stress and hippocampal plasticity.. Annu Rev Neurosci 1999;22:105–22.
    doi: 10.1146/annurev.neuro.22.1.105pubmed: 10202533google scholar: lookup
  14. Rietmann TR, Stuart AEA, Bernasconi P, Staﾬher M, Auer JA, Weishaupt MA. Assessment of mental stress in warmblood horses: heart rate variability in comparison to heart rate and selected behavioural parameters.. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2004;88(1):121–36.
  15. Hall C, Goodwin D, Heleski C, Randle H, Waran N. Is There Evidence of Learned Helplessness in Horses?. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 2008;11(3):249–66.
    doi: 10.1080/10888700802101130pubmed: 18569222google scholar: lookup
  16. McGreevy P, Warren-Smith A, Guisard Y. The effect of double bridles and jaw-clamping crank nosebands on temperature of eyes and facial skin of horses.. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 2012;7(3):142–8.
  17. Heleski CR, McGreevy PD, Kaiser LJ, Lavagnino M, Tans E, Bello N. Effects on behaviour and rein tension on horses ridden with or without martingales and rein inserts.. The Veterinary Journal 2009;181(1):56–62.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.03.011pubmed: 19375959google scholar: lookup
  18. Christensen JW, Zharkikh TL, Antoine A, Malmkvist J. Rein tension acceptance in young horses in a voluntary test situation.. Equine veterinary journal 2011;43(2):223.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00151.xpubmed: 21592219google scholar: lookup
  19. McGreevy PD. The fine line between pressure and pain: Ask the horse.. The Veterinary Journal 2011;188(3):250–1.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.10.011pubmed: 21094060google scholar: lookup
  20. McGreevy PD, McLean AN. Punishment in horse-training and the concept of ethical equitation.. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 2009;4(5):193–7.
  21. Christensen JW, Rundgren M, Olsson K. Training methods for horses: habituation to a frightening stimulus.. Equine Veterinary Journal 2006;38(5):439–43.
    pubmed: 16986605
  22. Clayton HM, Singleton WH, Lanovaz JL, Cloud GL. Measurement of rein tension during horseback riding using strain gage transducers.. Experimental Techniques 2003. May-Jun May/Jun 2003:34–6.
  23. Preuschoft H, Witte H, Recknagel S, Bar H, Lesch C, Wuthrich M. Effect of common head gear on horses.. Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr 1999;106(4):169–75. Epub 1999/06/04.
    pubmed: 10354650
  24. Warren-Smith AK, Curtis RA, Greetham L, McGreevy PD. Rein contact between horse and handler during specific equitation movements.. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2007;108(1–2):157–69.
  25. Valera M, Bartolomé E, Sánchez MJ, Molina A, Cook N, Schaefer A. Changes in Eye Temperature and Stress Assessment in Horses During Show Jumping Competitions.. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 2012;32(12):827–30.
  26. Fenner K. Bridling and Give to the Bit (Multimedia DVD). Private Lesson Series. Sydney, Australia2009.
  27. Parker M, Goodwin D, Eager RA, Redhead ES, Marlin DJ. Comparison of Polar ® heart rate interval data with simultaneously recorded ECG signals in horses.. Comp Exerc Physiol 2009;6(4):137–42.
  28. McGreevy PD, McLean AN. Roles of learning theory and ethology in equitation.. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 2007;2(4):108–18.
  29. McBride S, Mills DS. Psychological factors affecting equine performance.. BMC Veterinary Research 2012;8:180.
    doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-180pmc: PMC3514365pubmed: 23016987google scholar: lookup
  30. Hall C, Huws N, White C, Taylor E, Owen H, McGreevy PD. Assessment of ridden horse behaviour.. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 2013;8(2):62–73.
  31. König von Borstel U, Pasing S, Gauly M. Towards a more objective assessment of equine personality using behavioural and physiological observations from performance test training.. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2011;135(4):277–85.
  32. McLean AN. Short-term spatial memory in the domestic horse.. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2004;85(1):93–105.
  33. König Von Borstel U, Glißman C. Alternatives to conventional evaluation of rideability in horse performance tests: suitability of rein tension and behavioural parameters.. PloS one 2014;9(1):e87285.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087285pmc: PMC3906164pubmed: 24489890google scholar: lookup
  34. Egenvall A, Eisersiö M, Roepstorff L. Pilot study of behavior responses in young riding horses using 2 methods of making transitions from trot to walk.. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 2012;7:157–68.
  35. Kuhnke S, Dumbell L, Gauly M, Johnson JL, König Von Borstel U. A comparison of rein tension of the rider's dominant and non-dominant hand and the influence of the horse's laterality.. Comp Exerc Physiol 2010;7:57–63.
  36. Randle H, Edwards H, Button L. The effect of rider position on the stride and step length of the horse at canter.. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 2010;5(4):219–20.
  37. Warren-Smith AK, Curtis R, Greetham L, McGreevy PD. Rein contact between horse and handler during specific equitation movements / Amanda K. Warren-Smith, R. Curtis, L. Greetham, P.D. McGreevy.. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2007;108(1–2):157–69.
  38. Randle H, Button A, A. The effect of different rein types on the rein tension applied when taking up a 'medium contact'.. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 2011;6:295–.
  39. Ahrendt LP, Labouriau R, Malmkvist J, Nicol CJ, Christensen JW. Development of a standard test to assess negative reinforcement learning in horses.. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2015;169:38–42.
  40. McGreevy PD, Rogers LJ. Motor and sensory laterality in thoroughbred horses.. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2005;92:337–52.
  41. Shanahan S. Trailer Loading Stress in Horses: Behavioral and Physiological Effects of Nonaversive Training (TTEAM).. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 2003;6(4):263–74.
    doi: 10.1207/s15327604jaws0604_1pubmed: 14965781google scholar: lookup
  42. Warren-Smith A, Greetham L, McGreevy PD. Behavioral and physiological responses of horses (Equus caballus) undergoing head lowering.. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 2007;2/3:59–67.
  43. Pierard M, Hall C, König Von Borstel U, Averis A, Hawson LA, McLean AN. Evolving protocols for research in equitation science.. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 2015;10:255–66.
  44. Hawson LA, Salvin HE, McLean AN, McGreevy PD. Riders' application of rein tension for walk-to-halt transitions on a model horse.. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 2014;9(4):164–8.

Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Maśko M, Sikorska U, Borowska M, Zdrojkowski Ł, Jasiński T, Domino M. The Postural and Body Surface Temperature Response of Leisure Horses to Lunging with Selected Lunging Aids. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 20;14(1).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14010022pubmed: 38200753google scholar: lookup
  2. Henshall C, Randle H, Francis N, Freire R. Habit Formation and the Effect of Repeated Stress Exposures on Cognitive Flexibility Learning in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Oct 18;12(20).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12202818pubmed: 36290204google scholar: lookup
  3. 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.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-03582-4pubmed: 35121736google scholar: lookup
  4. Eisersiö M, Byström A, Yngvesson J, Baragli P, Lanata A, Egenvall A. Rein Tension Signals Elicit Different Behavioral Responses When Comparing Bitted Bridle and Halter. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:652015.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.652015pubmed: 34026891google scholar: lookup
  5. Fenner K, Caspar G, Hyde M, Henshall C, Dhand N, Probyn-Rapsey F, Dashper K, McLean A, McGreevy P. It's all about the sex, or is it? Humans, horses and temperament. PLoS One 2019;14(5):e0216699.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216699pubmed: 31086385google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 100,129 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.