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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Effects of Social Interactions and Foundational Training on ...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2026; 16(1); 142; doi: 10.3390/ani16010142

Effects of Social Interactions and Foundational Training on Behavior, Temperament, and Hormone Levels in Weanling Horses.

Abstract: Horses are social animals, with early life experiences playing a crucial role in their physiological and behavioral development. This study explored the influence of herd dynamics and foundational training on behavioral and hormonal changes in weaned foals. We examined 13 six-month-old Quarter Horse foals over a three-month training period, performing behavioral observations, temperament assessments, and hormone analyses at the start, midpoint, and end of the training. The results indicated that affiliative behaviors decreased significantly, while agonistic behaviors first increased and then decreased. Cortisol levels consistently declined throughout this study, whereas oxytocin levels remained stable. Linear regression analysis showed that cortisol was positively associated with affiliative behaviors and influenced by fearfulness and stubbornness. Conversely, oxytocin was positively associated with friendliness. The handlers' proficiency significantly affected the foals' outcomes; those managed by more skilled handlers exhibited significant improvements in confidence, friendliness, and reductions in cortisol, fearfulness, and stubbornness. These findings suggest the importance of handler skill in influencing equine behavior and hormonal balance. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the significant impacts of socialization and training on the behavioral, temperamental, and hormonal profiles of weaned foals, confirming the importance of handler expertise in fostering desirable traits in young horses.
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Publication Date: 2026-01-04 PubMed ID: 41514828PubMed Central: PMC12785052DOI: 10.3390/ani16010142Google 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.

Overview

  • This study investigated how social interactions within herds and foundational training affect behavior, temperament, and hormone levels in young weaned foals.
  • It specifically examined changes over time in affiliative and agonistic behaviors, hormone concentrations (cortisol and oxytocin), and how handler skill influenced these outcomes.

Research Purpose and Context

  • Horses are inherently social animals whose early life experiences shape their development both behaviorally and physiologically.
  • The researchers aimed to understand how the dynamics of herd social interactions combined with structured training influence young horses’ behavior, temperament, and hormonal profiles.
  • Foundational training refers to the initial handling and education that young horses receive just after weaning, which can set the stage for their future temperament and responses.

Study Design and Methods

  • Subjects: 13 six-month-old Quarter Horse foals recently weaned from their mothers.
  • Duration: The study spanned three months, with observations at three key points—beginning, middle, and end of training.
  • Measures included:
    • Behavioral observations focused on two types of behaviors:
      • Affiliative behaviors (friendly, social interactions)
      • Agonistic behaviors (aggressive or conflict-related interactions)
    • Temperament assessments categorizing traits like fearfulness, stubbornness, friendliness, and confidence.
    • Hormone analyses measuring levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) and oxytocin (associated with bonding and social behavior).
  • Handler skill was evaluated by categorizing handlers based on experience and proficiency, to assess its influence on foal outcomes.

Key Findings

  • Behavioral Changes:
    • Affiliative behaviors decreased significantly during the study period, indicating a decline in friendly social interactions as foals matured or experienced training.
    • Agonistic behaviors increased initially but then declined toward the end of the training period, suggesting a temporary adjustment phase in social hierarchy or stress.
  • Hormonal Changes:
    • Cortisol levels declined steadily throughout the study, implying a reduction in overall physiological stress in the foals as training progressed.
    • Oxytocin levels remained stable, showing no significant hormonal fluctuations related to social or training factors within this timeframe.
  • Associations Between Behavior and Hormones:
    • Cortisol showed a positive association with affiliative behaviors, meaning higher cortisol correlated with more social-friendly behavior, but also was linked to higher fearfulness and stubbornness.
    • Oxytocin levels were positively linked with friendliness, highlighting its role in promoting sociable temperament.
  • Impact of Handler Skill:
    • Foals managed by more skilled handlers demonstrated notable improvements in confidence and friendliness.
    • These foals also experienced reductions in cortisol levels, as well as fearfulness and stubbornness traits.
    • This underscores the critical influence of handler proficiency on the behavioral and hormonal development of young horses.

Implications of the Study

  • The research highlights the complex interplay between social environment, training, and physiological changes in horses.
  • Early foundational training can have a lasting effect on behavior and stress hormone regulation, which are crucial for developing well-adjusted and manageable horses.
  • The expertise of handlers is a significant factor that can positively shape the temperament and hormone balance of foals, making handler education and skill development essential in equine management.
  • Declining affiliative behaviors alongside changes in agonistic conduct might reflect natural developmental processes or adaptation to new social settings and handling regimes.
  • The stable oxytocin levels suggest that short-term training and herd interactions might not greatly alter this hormone, or that its role in young foals requires further investigation.

Conclusions

  • This study demonstrated that social interactions within the herd and structured foundational training significantly influence behavioral traits, temperament, and cortisol hormone levels in weanling horses.
  • The skill level of handlers was a crucial determinant in fostering desirable traits such as confidence and friendliness while reducing stress and negative temperament traits.
  • Overall, the findings reinforce the importance of early life socialization and expert handling in promoting positive developmental outcomes in young horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Choi Y, Jung Y, Wickens CL, Yoon M. (2026). Effects of Social Interactions and Foundational Training on Behavior, Temperament, and Hormone Levels in Weanling Horses. Animals (Basel), 16(1), 142. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16010142

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 1
PII: 142

Researcher Affiliations

Choi, Yeonju
  • Equi-path Healing & Leadership, Yesan-gun 32445, Republic of Korea.
  • Department of Horse, Companion and Wild Animal Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Republic of Korea.
Jung, Youngwook
  • Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Republic of Korea.
Wickens, Carissa L
  • Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
Yoon, Minjung
  • Department of Horse, Companion and Wild Animal Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Republic of Korea.
  • Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Republic of Korea.
  • Research Institute for Innovative Animal Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Republic of Korea.

Grant Funding

  • RS-2023-NR077294 / National Research Foundation of Korea

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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