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Animal welfare (South Mimms, England)2024; 33; e41; doi: 10.1017/awf.2024.41

Living the good life? A systematic review of behavioural signs of affective state in the domestic horse (Equus caballus) and factors relating to quality of life. Part 2: Horse-human interactions.

Abstract: Quality of life is dependent upon the extent to which behavioural needs are met, and the balance between pleasant and unpleasant lifetime experiences. In Part II of this systematic review, articles (n = 109) relating to horse-human interactions were reviewed to identify behavioural evidence of their positive or negative impact on the horse. The number of articles (n = 22) relating to the recognition of pain in horses, indicated the importance of identifying health issues, which are also likely to increase the aversiveness of interactions. These and articles relating to emotional reactivity testing in horses (n = 19), the behaviour of horses during handling and management procedures (n = 17), behaviour of the horse when ridden (n = 17), non-procedural horse-human interactions (n = 13), horse behaviour during transportation (n = 12) and behaviour during training other than when ridden (n = 9) were reviewed. During most interactions, horse behaviour is controlled and/or restricted by the human, masking negative or positive signs, and may be confounded by factors including fear and individual differences. In situations involving freedom of movement, positive experiences of horses with humans were associated with approach behaviour, negative ones with avoidance, but training could affect both. Undoubtedly, change is needed to reduce the extent to which interactions with humans are unpleasant for the horse. Only when the needs of the horse are fulfilled and interactions with humans are predominantly pleasurable will their quality of life improve.
© The Author(s) 2024.
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Publication Date: 2024-10-21 PubMed ID: 39469043PubMed Central: PMC11514268DOI: 10.1017/awf.2024.41Google 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 research paper reviews the behavioural signs of the domestic horse (Equus caballus) and explores the factors associated with their quality of life, with a focus on horse-human interactions. It suggests that the quality of life of horses is influenced by their experiences with humans and identifies the need to improve these interactions to enhance their wellbeing.

Overview of Reviewed Studies and Areas of Focus

  • The paper systematically reviewed a total of 109 articles related to horse-human interactions. The studies were categorized into diverse areas of interaction like pain recognition, emotional reactivity, handling, management procedures, riding, non-procedural interactions, transportation and training.
  • The articles on pain recognition (n =22) emphasized the need for identifying health issues in horses which might increase the aversiveness of interactions with humans.
  • Studies revealing the behavior of horses during handling and management procedures, non-procedural interactions, transportation and training were also reviewed to understand its correlations with the wellbeing of the horses.

Interactions with Humans

  • During most interactions between humans and horses, the behaviour of horses is often controlled or restricted by the people, which can make it challenging to discern positive or negative signs.
  • The authors noted that observed behaviors could be affected by various confounding factors such as fear and individual differences among horses.
  • In situations involving freedom of movement, positive experiences of horses with humans were typically associated with approach behaviour, and negative ones correlated with avoidance. However, training can have an impact on both of these behaviours.

Improvement of Horse-human Interactions

  • The research paper concludes by emphasizing the need for change in the way humans interact with horses. It suggests minimizing the extent to which these interactions are uncomfortable or unpleasant for the horse.
  • It argues that the quality of life of horses will only truly improve when their needs are adequately met and interactions with humans are primarily pleasurable.

Cite This Article

APA
Hall C, Kay R. (2024). Living the good life? A systematic review of behavioural signs of affective state in the domestic horse (Equus caballus) and factors relating to quality of life. Part 2: Horse-human interactions. Anim Welf, 33, e41. https://doi.org/10.1017/awf.2024.41

Publication

Animal welfare (South Mimms, England)
ISSN: 2054-1538
NlmUniqueID: 9214272
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 33
Pages: e41
PII: e41

Researcher Affiliations

Hall, Carol
  • School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Southwell, Nottinghamshire NG25 0QF, UK.
  • National Equine Welfare Council, Slad Lane, Princes Risborough, Bucks HP27 0PP, UK.
Kay, Rachel
  • School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Southwell, Nottinghamshire NG25 0QF, UK.
  • National Equine Welfare Council, Slad Lane, Princes Risborough, Bucks HP27 0PP, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

None.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
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  2. O'Connell E, Dyson S, McLean A, McGreevy P. No More Evasion: Redefining Conflict Behaviour in Human-Horse Interactions. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 31;15(3).
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