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Home / Equine Research Bank / Physiol Behav / Equine behaviour and heart rate in temperament tests with or...
Physiology & behavior2011; 104(3); 454-463; doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.05.010

Equine behaviour and heart rate in temperament tests with or without rider or handler.

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to compare horses' heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (RMSSD, pNN50) and behaviour in the same temperament test when being ridden, led, and released free. Behavioural measurements included scores and linear measurements for reactivity (R), activity (A), time to calm down (T) and emotionality (E), recorded during the approach (1) and/or during confrontation with the stimulus (2). Sixty-five horses were each confronted 3 times (1 ridden, 1 led, 1 free running in balanced order) with 3 novel and/or sudden stimuli. Mixed model analysis indicated that leading resulted in the lowest (P<0.05 throughout) reactions as measured by A1, A2, E1, E2, R2, and pNN50 while riding produced the strongest (A1, T2, HR, RMSSD, pNN50) or medium (E1, E2, R2) reactions. Free running resulted either in the strongest (A2, E1, E2, R2) or in the lowest (A1, T2, HR, RMSSD, pNN50) reactions. The repeatability across tests for HR (0.57), but not for RMSSD (0.23) or pNN50 (0.25) was higher than for any behavioural measurement: the latter ranged from values below 0.10 (A1, A2, T2) to values between 0.30 and 0.45 (E1, E2, R2). Overall, the results show that a rider or handler influences, but not completely masks, the horses' intrinsic behaviour in a temperament test, and this influence appeared to be stronger on behavioural variables and heart rate variability than on the horses' heart rates. Taking both practical considerations and repeatabilities into account, reactivity appears to be the most valuable parameter. Emotionality and heart rate can also yield valid results reflecting additional dimensions of temperament although their practical relevance may be less obvious. If a combination of observed variables is chosen with care, a valid assessment of a horse's temperament may be possible in all types of tests. However, in practice, tests that resemble the practical circumstances most closely, i.e. testing riding horses under a rider, should be chosen.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2011-05-13 PubMed ID: 21616087DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.05.010Google 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 analyzed the impact of the presence of a rider or handler on a horse’s behaviour and heart rate during temperament tests. The results revealed that while riders or handlers can influence the horse’s behavior, they do not completely obscure their intrinsic behavior. Parameters like reactivity, emotionality, and heart rate were identified as valuable for assessing a horse’s temperament.

Research Methodology

  • The study involved observing the heart rates, heart rate variability, and behavior of 65 horses during temperament tests.
  • The tests were conducted under three different conditions: the horse being ridden, led, or running free.
  • The researchers measured and scored variables such as reactivity, activity, time taken to calm down, and emotionality.
  • Each horse was subjected to three different encounters involving novel or sudden stimuli. The responses under each condition (ridden, led, or free running) were recorded and compared.

Results and Findings

  • The results indicated that leading a horse resulted in the lowest reactions, whereas riding produced either the strongest or medium reactions.
  • When horses were running free, their reactions either clocked the highest or the lowest measurements, depending on the stimulus and the variable being measured.
  • The study observed higher repeatability in heart rate measurements across tests as opposed to heart rate variability or behavioural measurements.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The outcomes show that riders or handlers can influence, but not completely mask, a horse’s inherent behaviour during temperament tests.
  • This influence was found to be higher on behavioral variables and heart rate variability compared to simple heart rates.
  • The researchers suggest that reactivity is the most important parameter for assessing a horse’s temperament, although emotionality and heart rate also give valid results.
  • It was concluded that valid assessments of a horse’s temperament can be made in any type of test with the careful selection of observed variables.
  • Nevertheless, the study points out that under practical conditions, tests that are most similar to real-world situations should be preferred, such as testing riding horses under a rider.

Cite This Article

APA
König von Borstel U, Euent S, Graf P, König S, Gauly M. (2011). Equine behaviour and heart rate in temperament tests with or without rider or handler. Physiol Behav, 104(3), 454-463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.05.010

Publication

Physiology & behavior
ISSN: 1873-507X
NlmUniqueID: 0151504
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 104
Issue: 3
Pages: 454-463

Researcher Affiliations

König von Borstel, U
  • Department of Animal Science, University of Goettingen, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, 37075 Goettingen, Germany. koenigvb@gwdg.de
Euent, S
    Graf, P
      König, S
        Gauly, M

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Behavior, Animal / physiology
          • Female
          • Handling, Psychological
          • Heart Rate / physiology
          • Horses / physiology
          • Horses / psychology
          • Male
          • Statistics as Topic
          • Temperament / physiology

          Citations

          This article has been cited 12 times.
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            doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087285pubmed: 24489890google scholar: lookup
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          10. Gobbo E, Topal O, Novalija I, Mladenić D, Zupan Šemrov M. An iterative approach to identify key predictive features of fear reactivity and fearfulness in horses (Equus caballus). Sci Rep 2025 Jul 9;15(1):24590.
            doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-10725-4pubmed: 40628935google scholar: lookup
          11. Eichler F, Ehrle A, Machnik M, Jensen KC, Wagner S, Baudisch N, Bolk J, Pötzsch M, Thevis M, Bäumer W, Lischer C, Wiegard M. Behavioral observations, heart rate and cortisol monitoring in horses following multiple oral administrations of a cannabidiol containing paste (part 2/2). Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1305873.
            doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1305873pubmed: 38234983google scholar: lookup
          12. Eichler F, Ehrle A, Jensen KC, Baudisch N, Petersen H, Bäumer W, Lischer C, Wiegard M. Behavioral observations, heart rate and heart rate variability in horses following oral administration of a cannabidiol containing paste in three escalating doses (part 1/2). Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1305868.
            doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1305868pubmed: 38149295google scholar: lookup
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