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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet J / Investigating horse-human interactions: the effect of a nerv...
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2009; 181(1); 70-71; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.03.013

Investigating horse-human interactions: the effect of a nervous human.

Abstract: The heart rates (HR) of horses and the people leading them (10 horses, 20 people), and riding them (17 horses, 17 people), were recorded in an indoor arena. The horses were Swedish leisure horses of mixed ages, sex and breed. All except two of the people were female and all were of mixed age and riding experience. Each horse-human pair walked or rode between points A and B (30m) four times on each test occasion. However, just before the fourth pass, participants were told that an umbrella would be opened as they rode, or led, the horse past the assistant. The umbrella was not opened, so this pass was no different to the previous control occasions, but nevertheless there was an increase in HR for both the person (leading, P=0.06; riding, P<0.05) and the horse (being led, P<0.05; being ridden, P<0.05). The findings indicate that analysis of HR recorded simultaneously from people and horses under different experimental handling or riding conditions presents a useful tool to investigate horse-human interactions.
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Publication Date: 2009-04-25 PubMed ID: 19394879DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.03.013Google 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.

The study focuses on the impact of human nervousness on horse-human interactions, particularly in relation to elevated heart rates in both the human and the horse due to anticipated stress factors, such as the umbrella being opened.

Research Methodology

  • The research was performed with a total of 10 Swedish leisure horses, 20 people leading the horses, and 17 people riding them. These horses were of mixed ages, sex, and breeds.
  • All participants were of varying ages and riding experiences, with only two men included in the study.
  • The study was conducted in an indoor arena where the horse-human pairs either walked or rode between two points (A and B), each separated by a distance of 30 meters.
  • The pairs were required to cover this distance four times on each test occasion.

Application of Anticipated Stress Factor

  • Just before the fourth pass, an anticipated stress factor was introduced. Participants were informed that an umbrella would be opened as they led or rode the horse past an assistant. This scenario was perceived as potential stressor or a triggering factor that could cause nervousness in both the human and the horse.
  • However, the umbrella was not actually opened during the experiment, making this round no different than the previous rounds from a practical perspective.

Findings and Conclusions

  • Despite the absence of any actual threat, there was an observable increase in heart rates in both parties involved – the humans leading the horses (P=0.06; slightly statistically significant increase) and riding them (P<0.05; statistically significant increase), as well as the horses being led (P<0.05) and being ridden (P<0.05).
  • The research concludes that just the possibility of a stressor was enough to provoke increased nervousness and physiological stress responses in both the human and the horse, indicating that human emotions could significantly affect horse-human interactions.
  • The study proves that an analysis of heart rates recorded simultaneously from the people and horses under different experimental handling or riding conditions provides a useful tool to investigate horse-human interactions and the influence of human anxiety on these interactions.

Cite This Article

APA
Keeling LJ, Jonare L, Lanneborn L. (2009). Investigating horse-human interactions: the effect of a nervous human. Vet J, 181(1), 70-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.03.013

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1090-0233
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 181
Issue: 1
Pages: 70-71

Researcher Affiliations

Keeling, Linda J
  • Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. linda.keeling@hmh.slu.se
Jonare, Liv
    Lanneborn, Lovisa

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Female
      • Male
      • Anxiety
      • Behavior, Animal
      • Cues
      • Handling, Psychological
      • Heart Rate
      • Horses / physiology
      • Horses / psychology
      • Posture
      • Humans

      Citations

      This article has been cited 26 times.
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