FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(6); 921; doi: 10.3390/ani10060921

Horse Behavior, Physiology and Emotions during Habituation to a Treadmill.

Abstract: A treadmill is an important tool in the equine analysis of gait, lameness, and hoof balance, as well as for the evaluation of horse rehabilitation or poor performance including dynamic endoscopy. Before all of these uses, horses have to be habituated to a treadmill locomotion. We used principal component analysis to evaluate the relationship between aspects of the horse's temperament and emotional response, and progress in the behavioral habituation to a treadmill. Fourteen horses were tested, by the same familiar handler, using the novel object test, the handling test, and both positive and negative emotional response tests. Then, four stages of gradual habituation of the first work on a treadmill were conducted. Each time, the horse's behavior was filmed. Data obtained from ethograms and heart rate measurements were tested. Four principal components were identified in examined horses: "Flightiness," "Freeziness," "Curiosity," and "Timidity." Flightiness was connected with nervousness, agitation by new objects, and easy excitability, and gradually decreased of features during habituation. Timidity was associated with a lack of courage and stress in new situations, and those features strongly increased when the treadmill was introduced. Freeziness and Curiosity features showed strong stability throughout the whole habituation. The results of this study provide evidence for a connection between temperament, emotional response, and habituation process in a horse.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2020-05-26 PubMed ID: 32466423PubMed Central: PMC7341274DOI: 10.3390/ani10060921Google 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.

This research investigated the relationship between a horse’s temperament, emotional response, and its progress during habituation (getting used to) to a treadmill, an important tool in equine analysis and performance evaluation. The study found that traits such as flightiness, timidity, freeziness, and curiosity influenced the horse’s adaptation process to the treadmill.

Methodology

  • Fourteen horses underwent the novel object test, the handling test, and both positive and negative emotional response tests. These tests were conducted by a handler familiar to the horses to lessen the impact of a new person on their emotional response.
  • These horses then went through four stages of gradual habituation to the treadmill.
  • During each stage, the horse’s behavior was filmed to gather observable data. Additionally, heart rate measurements were also taken as physiological markers for stress and emotional response.
  • Using principal component analysis, this observed and physiological data was analyzed with respect to the different temperamental traits.

Results

  • Four primary components or traits identifiable in the examined horses were flightiness, timidity, freeziness, and curiosity.
  • Flightiness indicated a nervous disposition and sensitivity to new objects. This trait gradually decreased as the horse adapted to the treadmill.
  • Timidity, representing lack of courage in new situations, seemed to increase when the horse was first introduced to the treadmill.
  • Freeziness and curiosity demonstrated strong stability throughout the treadmill habituation process, suggesting that these traits did not significantly influence the horse’s response to the treadmill.

Conclusions

  • The results of this study provide solid evidence for a relationship between a horse’s temperament and emotional response and its ability to habituate to a treadmill. Better understanding of this connection could help improve methods of introducing horses to unfamiliar situations or tools, such as treadmills, thereby supporting their well-being and performance.

Treating each horse according to its unique traits can result in more successful habituation processes, which in turn can lead to more effective treadmill use for analysis and performance evaluation. Future research could delve deeper into these findings to determine if specific training or introduction methods could be more effective for horses displaying different traits.

Cite This Article

APA
Masko M, Domino M, Lewczuk D, Jasinski T, Gajewski Z. (2020). Horse Behavior, Physiology and Emotions during Habituation to a Treadmill. Animals (Basel), 10(6), 921. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10060921

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 6
PII: 921

Researcher Affiliations

Masko, Malgorzata
  • Department of Animal Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), 02-787 Warsaw, Poland.
Domino, Malgorzata
  • Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Veterinary Research Centre and Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), 02-787 Warsaw, Poland.
Lewczuk, Dorota
  • Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences Jastrzębiec (PAS - PAN), 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland.
Jasinski, Tomasz
  • Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Veterinary Research Centre and Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), 02-787 Warsaw, Poland.
Gajewski, Zdzislaw
  • Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Veterinary Research Centre and Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), 02-787 Warsaw, Poland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

This article includes 50 references
  1. Mills DS, Alston RD, Rogers V, Longford NT. Factors associated with the prevalence of stereotypic behaviour amongst thoroughbred horses passing through auctioneer sales.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2002;78:115–124.
    doi: 10.1016/S0168-1591(02)00096-5google scholar: lookup
  2. McGreevy PD, Cripps PJ, French NP, Green LE, Nicol CJ. Management factors associated with stereotypic and redirected behaviour in the thoroughbred horse.. Equine Vet J 1995 Mar;27(2):86-91.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb03041.xpubmed: 7607155google scholar: lookup
  3. Redbo I, Redbo-Torstensson P, Ödberg FO, Hedendahl A, Holm J. Factors affecting behavioural disturbances in race-horses.. Anim. Sci. 1998;66:475–481.
    doi: 10.1017/S1357729800009644google scholar: lookup
  4. York A, Matusiewicz J, Padalino B. How to minimise the incidence of transport-related problem behaviours in horses: a review.. J Equine Sci 2017;28(3):67-75.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.28.67pmc: PMC5608959pubmed: 28955158google scholar: lookup
  5. Padalino B, Rogers CW, Guiver D, Bridges JP, Riley CB. Risk Factors for Transport-Related Problem Behaviors in Horses: A New Zealand Survey.. Animals (Basel) 2018 Aug 2;8(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ani8080134pmc: PMC6115720pubmed: 30072591google scholar: lookup
  6. Yngvesson J, de Boussard E, Larsson M, Lundberg A. Loading horses (Equus caballus) onto trailers—Behaviour of horses andhorse owners during loading and habituating.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2016;184:59–65.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2016.08.008google scholar: lookup
  7. Franklin SH, Naylor JR, Lane JG. Videoendoscopic evaluation of the upper respiratory tract in 93 sport horses during exercise testing on a high-speed treadmill.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2006 Aug;(36):540-5.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05601.xpubmed: 17402480google scholar: lookup
  8. Gómez Alvarez CB, Rhodin M, Byström A, Back W, van Weeren PR. Back kinematics of healthy trotting horses during treadmill versus over ground locomotion.. Equine Vet J 2009 Mar;41(3):297-300.
    doi: 10.2746/042516409X397370pubmed: 19469239google scholar: lookup
  9. Bachi B, Wiestner T, Stoll A, Waldern NM, Imboden I, Weishaupt MA. Changes of ground reaction force and timing variables in the course of habituation of horses to the treadmill.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2008;63:13–23.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2017.12.013google scholar: lookup
  10. Seeherman HJ. The use of high-speed treadmills for lameness and hoof balance evaluations in the horse.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 1991 Aug;7(2):271-309.
    doi: 10.1016/S0749-0739(17)30501-1pubmed: 1933565google scholar: lookup
  11. Nankervis KJ, Launder EJ, Murrayc RC. The use of treadmills within the rehabilitation of horses.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2007;53:108–115.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2017.01.010google scholar: lookup
  12. Buchner HH, Savelberg HH, Schamhardt HC, Merkens HW, Barneveld A. Habituation of horses to treadmill locomotion.. Equine Vet. J. Suppl. 1994;17:13–15.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1994.tb04865.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  13. Van de Putte M, Hagemeister N, St-Onge N, Parent G, de Guise JA. Habituation to treadmill walking.. Biomed Mater Eng 2006;16(1):43-52.
    pubmed: 16410643
  14. Warren-Smith AK, McGreevy PD. Equestrian coaches’ understanding and application of learning theory in horse training.. Anthrozoös. 2008;21:153–162.
    doi: 10.2752/175303708X305800google scholar: lookup
  15. Shanahan S. Trailer loading stress in horses: behavioral and physiological effects of nonaversive training (TTEAM).. J Appl Anim Welf Sci 2003;6(4):263-74.
    doi: 10.1207/s15327604jaws0604_1pubmed: 14965781google scholar: lookup
  16. Christensen JW, Rundgren M, Olsson K. Training methods for horses: habituation to a frightening stimulus.. Equine Vet J 2006 Sep;38(5):439-43.
    doi: 10.2746/042516406778400574pubmed: 16986605google scholar: lookup
  17. Ferguson DL, Rosales-Ruiz J. Loading the problem loader: the effects of target training and shaping on trailer-loading behavior of horses.. J Appl Behav Anal 2001 Winter;34(4):409-23.
    doi: 10.1901/jaba.2001.34-409pmc: PMC1284337pubmed: 11800182google scholar: lookup
  18. Bennett-Wimbush K, J SB, Amstutz M, Duthie M. Effects of Overcheck Use on Stress Parameters and Welfare Implications in Driving Horses.. J Appl Anim Welf Sci 2020 Jan-Mar;23(1):83-94.
    doi: 10.1080/10888705.2019.1594229pubmed: 30897349google scholar: lookup
  19. McLean AN, Christensen JW. The application of learning theory in horse training.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2017;190:18–27.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.02.020google scholar: lookup
  20. Waran NK, Cí·¯ord D. Effects of loading and transport on the heart rateand behaviour of horses.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 1995;43:71–81.
    doi: 10.1016/0168-1591(95)00555-7google scholar: lookup
  21. Cross N, van Doorn F, Versnel C, Cawdell-Smith J, Phillips C. Effects of lighting conditions on the welfare of horses being loaded for transportation.. J. Vet. Behav. 2008;3:20–24.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2007.07.005google scholar: lookup
  22. Visser EK, Van Reenen CG, Engel B, Schilder MBH, Barnveld A, Blokhuis HJ. The association between performance in show-jumping and personality traits earlier in life.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2003;82:279–295.
    doi: 10.1016/S0168-1591(03)00083-2google scholar: lookup
  23. McCall CA, Hall S, McElhenney WH, Cummins KA. Evaluation and comparison of four methods of ranking horses based on reactivity.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2006;96:115–127.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2005.04.021google scholar: lookup
  24. Seaman SC, Davidson HPB, Waran NK. How reliable is temperament assessment in the domestic horse (Equus caballus)?. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2002;78:175–191.
    doi: 10.1016/S0168-1591(02)00095-3google scholar: lookup
  25. Visser EK, Van Reenen CG, Blokhuis MZ, Morgan EK, Hassmén P, Rundgren TM, Blokhuis HJ. Does horse temperament influence horse-rider cooperation?. J Appl Anim Welf Sci 2008;11(3):267-84.
    doi: 10.1080/10888700802101254pubmed: 18569223google scholar: lookup
  26. Rivera E, Benjamin S, Nielsen B, Shelle J, Zanella AJ. Behavioral and physiological responses of horses to initial training: The comparison between pastured versus stalled horses.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2002;78:235–252.
    doi: 10.1016/S0168-1591(02)00091-6google scholar: lookup
  27. . ASAB/ABS Guidelines for the treatment of animals in behavioural research and teaching.. Anim. Behav. 2012;159:201–309.
    doi: 10.1006/anbe.1996.0293google scholar: lookup
  28. Visser EK, van Reenen CG, Hopster H, Schilder MBH, Knaap JH, Barneveld A, Blokhuis HJ. Quantifying aspects of young horses’ temperament: Consistency of behavioural variables.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2001;74:241–258.
    doi: 10.1016/S0168-1591(01)00177-0google scholar: lookup
  29. Schrimpf A, Single MS, Nawroth C. Social Referencing in the Domestic Horse.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jan 18;10(1).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10010164pmc: PMC7022515pubmed: 31963699google scholar: lookup
  30. Stomp M, Leroux M, Cellier M, Henry S, Lemasson A, Hausberger M. An unexpected acoustic indicator of positive emotions in horses.. PLoS One 2018;13(7):e0197898.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197898pmc: PMC6040684pubmed: 29995876google scholar: lookup
  31. Padalino B, Raidal SL, Knight P, Celi P, Jeffcott L, Muscatello G. Behaviour during transportation predicts stress response and lower airway contamination in horses.. PLoS One 2018;13(3):e0194272.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194272pmc: PMC5863983pubmed: 29566072google scholar: lookup
  32. Jolliffe IT. Principal Component Analysis.. Springer; New York, NY, USA: 1986. pp. 1–38.
  33. Buckley P, Dunn T, More SJ. Owners' perceptions of the health and performance of Pony Club horses in Australia.. Prev Vet Med 2004 Apr 30;63(1-2):121-33.
    doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2004.01.013pubmed: 15099721google scholar: lookup
  34. Momozawa Y, Ono T, Sato F, Kikusui T, Takeuchi Y, Mori Y, Kusunose R. Assessment of equine temperament by a questionnaire survey to caretakers and evaluation of its reliability by simultaneous behavior test.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2003;84:127–138.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2003.08.001google scholar: lookup
  35. Hall C, Kay R, Yarnell K. Assessing ridden horse behavior: Professional judgment and physiological measures.. J. Vet. Behav. 2014;9:22–29.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2013.09.005google scholar: lookup
  36. Axel-Nilsson M, Peetz-Nielsen P, Visser EK, Nyman S, Blokhuis HJ. Perceived relevance of selected behavioural traits in horses—A survey conducted in Sweden.. Acta Agric. Scand. A An. Sci. 2015;65:23–32.
    doi: 10.1080/09064702.2015.1047791google scholar: lookup
  37. Yarnell K, Hall C, Billett E. An assessment of the aversive nature of an animal management procedure (clipping) using behavioral and physiological measures.. Physiol Behav 2013 Jun 13;118:32-9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.05.013pubmed: 23685232google scholar: lookup
  38. Lloyd AS, Martin JE, Bornett-Gauci HLI, Wilkinson RG. Evaluation of a novel method of horse personality assessment: Rater-agreement and links to behaviour.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2007;105:205–222.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2006.05.017google scholar: lookup
  39. Valls-Sole J. Assessment of excitability in brainstem circuits mediating the blink reflex and the startle reaction.. Clin Neurophysiol 2012 Jan;123(1):13-20.
    doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2011.04.029pubmed: 22030138google scholar: lookup
  40. Goodwin D. The Welfare of Horses.. Springer; Dordrecht, The Netherlands: 2007. Horse behaviour: Evolution, domestication and feralisation; pp. 1–18.
  41. Hausberger M, Søndergaard E, Martin-Rossset W. Horse Behaviour and Welfare.. Wageningen Academic Publishers; Geldria, The Netherlands: 2007. Early experience and bahavioural development in foals; pp. 37–45.
  42. Rietman 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.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2004;88:121–136.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2004.02.016google scholar: lookup
  43. Lloyd AS, Martin JE, Bornett-Gauci HLI, Wilkinson RG. Horse personality: Variation between breeds.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2008;112:369–383.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2007.08.010google scholar: lookup
  44. Minero M, Dalla Costa E, Dai F, Canali E, Barbieri S, Zanella A, Pascuzzo R, Wemelsfelder F. Using qualitative behaviour assessment (QBA) to explore the emotional state of horses and its association with human-animal relationship.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2018;204:53–59.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2018.04.008google scholar: lookup
  45. Lee J, Houpt K, Doherty O. A survey of trailering problems in horses.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2001;21:237–241.
    doi: 10.1016/S0737-0806(01)70042-1google scholar: lookup
  46. Mills DS. Applying learning theory to the management of the horse: the difference between getting it right and getting it wrong.. Equine Vet J Suppl 1998 Nov;(27):44-8.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb05145.xpubmed: 10485004google scholar: lookup
  47. Krueger K, Flauger B, Farmer K, Maros K. Horses (Equus caballus) use human local enhancement cues and adjust to human attention.. Anim Cogn 2011 Mar;14(2):187-201.
    doi: 10.1007/s10071-010-0352-7pubmed: 20845052google scholar: lookup
  48. Takimoto A, Hori Y, Fujita K. Horses (Equus caballus) adaptively change the modality of their begging behavior as a function of human attentional states.. Psychologia. 2016;59:100–111.
    doi: 10.2117/psysoc.2016.100google scholar: lookup
  49. Houpt K. Misbehavior of horses: Trailer problems.. Equine Pract. 1982;4:12–16.
  50. McGreevy P, McLean A. The Domestic Horse.. Cambridge University Press; Cambridge, UK: 2005. Behavioural problems with the ridden horse; pp. 196–211.

Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,658 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.