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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 11(1); doi: 10.3390/ani11010066

Equine Responses to Acceleration and Deceleration Cues May Reflect Their Exposure to Multiple Riders.

Abstract: It is logical to assume that horses with multiple riders encounter variation in application of training cues. When training cues are inconsistent, we expect to see a decrease in trained responses or an increase in conflict behaviours. This study investigated the relationship between the number of people that regularly ride or handle a horse and the horse's response to operant cues. Data on 1819 equids were obtained from the Equine Behavior Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ), an online global survey of horse owners and caregivers. Three mutually independent indices (acceleration, deceleration, and responsiveness) were derived from a parallel analysis of E-BARQ items related to acceleration and deceleration cues. These indices were then subjected to multivariable modelling against a range of dependent variables including horse and human demographics, horse management, and the number of riders or handlers. The number of riders or handlers was a significant predictor for two out of three indices. As the number of riders or handlers increased, horses were more difficult to accelerate (regression coefficient = 0.0148 ± 0.0071; p = 0.0366) and less difficult to decelerate (regression coefficient = -0.017 ± 0.008; p = 0.030) than those with fewer riders or handlers. These findings suggest that horses' responses to rein tension cues are more persistent than their responses to leg pressure or whip cues. Alternatively, horses with these responses may be actively selected for multiple rider roles. Longitudinal studies of this sort should reveal how the number of riders or handlers affects horse behaviour and could lead to safer and more humane equestrian practices.
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Publication Date: 2020-12-31 PubMed ID: 33396451PubMed Central: PMC7823401DOI: 10.3390/ani11010066Google 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.

This study looks at how the number of riders or handlers a horse has can impact its response to training cues, with findings indicating that horses with multiple riders show different responses, especially to acceleration and deceleration cues.

Objective of the Study

The study aimed to understand the response of horses to different training cues, focusing on whether the number of riders or handlers a horse has affected this. It was postulated that horses exposed to multiple riders would show varied responses due their exposure to inconsistent training cues. The research endeavored to examine if a higher number of riders or handlers led to a decrease in trained responses or an increase in conflict behaviors in horses.

Methodology

  • The study used data from the Equine Behavior Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ), a global online survey of horse owners and caregivers, taking inputs on 1819 horses.
  • There were three independently created indices that were derived from E-BARQ items – Acceleration, Deceleration, and Responsiveness.
  • These indexes were then subjected to multivariable modeling against a range of dependent variables including data on horse and human demographics, horse management, and the number of riders or handlers.

Findings

  • The number of riders or handlers was found to be a significant predictor for two out of the three indices – acceleration and deceleration cues.
  • Horses with a larger number of handlers were found to be more difficult to accelerate and less difficult to decelerate. This implies that horses’ response to rein tension cues (used for deceleration) is more consistent than their responses to leg pressure or whip cues (used for acceleration).
  • The study also opens the possibility that horses showing these responses might be specifically chosen for roles that require multiple riders.

Implications and Further Research

The results of this study suggest that the number of riders or handlers affects horse behavior—specifically, their response to training cues. One important area for further study would be examining how this relationship can be used to develop safer and more humane equestrian practices. Longitudinal studies of this nature will give a more comprehensive understanding of this issue.

Cite This Article

APA
McKenzie J, Fenner K, Hyde M, Anzulewicz A, Burattini B, Romness N, Wilson B, McGreevy P. (2020). Equine Responses to Acceleration and Deceleration Cues May Reflect Their Exposure to Multiple Riders. Animals (Basel), 11(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010066

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 1

Researcher Affiliations

McKenzie, Jessica
  • School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
Fenner, Kate
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
Hyde, Michelle
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
Anzulewicz, Ashley
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
Burattini, Bibiana
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
Romness, Nicole
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
Wilson, Bethany
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
McGreevy, Paul
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Knox AL, Fenner K, Zsoldos RR, Wilson B, McGreevy P. Owner-Observed Behavioral Characteristics in Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds (OTTTBs) in Equestrian Second Careers. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 11;15(14).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15142046pubmed: 40723508google scholar: lookup
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