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Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / Effects of pre-conditioning on behavior and physiology of ho...
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.
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Publication Date: 2017-03-30 PubMed ID: 28358892PubMed Central: PMC5373532DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174313Google 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 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.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
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