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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(12); doi: 10.3390/ani15121782

Influences of Double Versus Snaffle Bridles on Equine Behaviour at Dressage Competitions and Factors That Interact with Their Effect.

Abstract: Despite welfare concerns, conflict behaviours (indicative of momentary states of acute stress) are common in horses during dressage competitions. Identifying factors that affect conflict behaviours during competition therefore has the potential to improve equine welfare. The aim of this exploratory study was to assess the effect of bridle type (double versus snaffle) in relation to other potential affecting factors (e.g., average head angle, competition level and type, tack variation) on conflict behaviours during dressage competition. An ethogram was created to analyse the conflict behaviour of horses (n = 135) at dressage competitions. Behaviours were reduced into nine components using principal component analysis. The effects of bridle type and its interaction with other additional factors (competition level, competition type, average head angle) on component scores were analysed using multilevel Bayesian regression models. The results demonstrated a multifaceted interaction between bridle type, inferred rider skill level, and ridden head angle. The results also demonstrated that during dressage tests, 100% of horses performed the conflict behaviours of mouth opening and 86.7% of horses performed tail swishing. The ethological and welfare implications of these findings are discussed.
Publication Date: 2025-06-17 PubMed ID: 40564336PubMed Central: PMC12189879DOI: 10.3390/ani15121782Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 article explores the impact of the type of bridle used and various other factors on horse behavior during dressage competitions. The study found a complex interaction between the various factors such as bridle type and perceived rider skill level, as well as noticeable rates of conflict behaviors (indicative of stress) including open mouths and tail swishing in competing horses.

Study Overview and Objective

  • This exploratory study aimed to examine the effect of the type of bridle used (double versus snaffle) and other factors that could affect conflict behaviors (i.e., indicative of stress) in horses during dressage competitions.

Methodology

  • The study included 135 horses at dressage competitions. An ethogram was created to analyze the horse’s conflict behavior.
  • The research team analysed the behaviours using principal component analysis, which allowed them to reduce the behaviours into nine components.
  • The effects of bridle type and its interactions with additional factors such as competition level, competition type, average head angle were analyzed using multilevel Bayesian regression models.

Findings

  • The results showed a complex interaction between bridle type, inferred rider skill level, and the angle at which the horse holds its head while being ridden.
  • The research identified high rates of conflict behavior during the dressage tests. Every horse examined displayed the conflict behavior of opening its mouth, and 86.7% of horses shown tail swishing.

Implications

  • The findings show that there are numerous factors affecting the stress levels of horses during dressage competitions, and more attention needs to be given to equine welfare in these situations.
  • The choice of bridle and rider skills significantly impact horse behaviour during a competition, which calls to further comprehensive studies in this field to improve the behaviour and well being of horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Faithfull R, Lewis K, Drury E, McBride S. (2025). Influences of Double Versus Snaffle Bridles on Equine Behaviour at Dressage Competitions and Factors That Interact with Their Effect. Animals (Basel), 15(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15121782

Publication

ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 12

Researcher Affiliations

Faithfull, Rifka
  • Department of Life Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3FG, UK.
Lewis, Kate
  • Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DY, UK.
Drury, Emily
  • School of Veterinary Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3AH, UK.
McBride, Sebastian
  • Department of Life Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3FG, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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