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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2016; 6(9); 55; doi: 10.3390/ani6090055

Monty Roberts’ Public Demonstrations: Preliminary Report on the Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability of Horses Undergoing Training during Live Audience Events.

Abstract: Effective training of horses relies on the trainer's awareness of learning theory and equine ethology, and should be undertaken with skill and time. Some trainers, such as Monty Roberts, share their methods through the medium of public demonstrations. This paper describes the opportunistic analysis of beat-to-beat (RR) intervals and heart rate variability (HRV) of ten horses being used in Monty Roberts' public demonstrations within the United Kingdom. RR and HRV was measured in the stable before training and during training. The HRV variables standard deviation of the RR interval (SDRR), root mean square of successive RR differences (RMSSD), geometric means standard deviation 1 (SD1) and 2 (SD2), along with the low and high frequency ratio (LF/HF ratio) were calculated. The minimum, average and maximum RR intervals were significantly lower in training (indicative of an increase in heart rate as measured in beats-per-minute) than in the stable ( p = 0.0006; p = 0.01; p = 0.03). SDRR, RMSSD, SD1, SD2 and the LF/HF ratio were all significantly lower in training than in the stable ( p = 0.001; p = 0.049; p = 0.049; p = 0.001; p = 0.01). When comparing the HR and HRV of horses during Join-up (®) to overall training, there were no significant differences in any variable with the exception of maximum RR which was significantly lower ( p = 0.007) during Join-up (®) , indicative of short increases in physical exertion (canter) associated with this training exercise. In conclusion, training of horses during public demonstrations is a low-moderate physiological, rather than psychological stressor for horses. The physiological stress responses observed within this study were comparable or less to those previously reported in the literature for horses being trained outside of public audience events. Furthermore, there is no evidence that the use of Join-up (®) alters HR and HRV in a way to suggest that this training method negatively affects the psychological welfare of horses.
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Publication Date: 2016-09-09 PubMed ID: 27618108PubMed Central: PMC5035950DOI: 10.3390/ani6090055Google 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 article assesses the impact of public training demonstrations, such as those conducted by Monty Roberts, on the heart rates and heart rate variability of horses, suggesting that these training sessions cause low to moderate physiological stress rather than psychological stress.

Study Design and Methodology

  • The study carried out an analysis of heartbeat intervals (RR intervals) and heart rate variability (HRV) of ten horses used in public demonstrations by Monty Roberts in the United Kingdom.
  • RR and HRV measurements were done in two stages: before training when the horses were in the stable and during the actual training.
  • The HRV parameters studied included standard deviation of the RR interval (SDRR), root mean square of successive RR differences (RMSSD), geometric mean standard deviation 1 (SD1) and 2 (SD2), and the ratio between low and high frequency (LF/HF ratio).

Findings of the Study

  • The RR intervals were found to be significantly lower in training than when the horses were in the stable. This suggested an increase in heart rate during training, as heart rate is measured in beats per minute.
  • Additionally, the HRV parameters including SDRR, RMSSD, SD1, SD2, and the LF/HF ratio were also lower during training compared to the time in stable.
  • The heart rate and heart rate variability were compared during the exercise called “Join-up” and overall training. There were no significant differences, except for a minimal decrease in the maximum RR during “Join-Up,” indicating short duration increase in physical exertion associated with the exercise.

Conclusions of the Study

  • The results reveal that training horses during public sessions is physiologically stressful but to a low-moderate extent and does not significantly contribute to psychological stress for the horses.
  • The physiological responses observed during the study were equal to or lesser than those reported in other studies for horses trained outside public audience events.
  • Furthermore, the study did not find any evidence to suggest that the “Join-up” method of training has a negative effect on the psychological welfare of the horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Loftus L, Marks K, Jones-McVey R, Gonzales JL, Fowler VL. (2016). Monty Roberts’ Public Demonstrations: Preliminary Report on the Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability of Horses Undergoing Training during Live Audience Events. Animals (Basel), 6(9), 55. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani6090055

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 6
Issue: 9
PII: 55

Researcher Affiliations

Loftus, Loni
  • Askham Bryan College, York YO23 3FR, UK. loni.loftus@askham-bryan.ac.uk.
Marks, Kelly
  • Intelligent Horsemanship Ltd., Lethornes, Lambourn, Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 8QP, UK. kelly@ihhq.net.
Jones-McVey, Rosie
  • The Old Schools, University of Cambridge, Trinity Lane, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK. rosiejoneshorses@yahoo.co.uk.
Gonzales, Jose L
  • Department of Epidemiology, Crisis Organization and Diagnostics, Central Veterinary Institute Part of Wageningen UR, Houtribweg 39, Lelystad 8221, The Netherlands. jose.gonzales@wur.nl.
Fowler, Veronica L
  • The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK. veronica.fowler@pirbright.ac.uk.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Kelly Marks is the founder of Intelligent Horsemanship Ltd. which organizes MR United Kingdom demonstrations. No financial assistance was provided by Intelligent Horsemanship Ltd. or MR for this study.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Fenner K, Dashper K, Wilkins C, Serpell J, McLean A, Wilson B, McGreevy P. Building Bridges between Theory and Practice: How Citizen Science Can Bring Equine Researchers and Practitioners Together. Animals (Basel) 2020 Sep 13;10(9).
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  2. Kydd E, Padalino B, Henshall C, McGreevy P. An analysis of equine round pen training videos posted online: Differences between amateur and professional trainers. PLoS One 2017;12(9):e0184851.
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  3. Paksoy Y, Ural K, Erdoğan H, Erdoğan S, Paşa S. Behavioral Assessment of Equine Relaxation Following Manual Therapy: A Pilot Study. Vet Sci 2025 Sep 5;12(9).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12090865pubmed: 41012790google scholar: lookup
  4. Loftus L, Newman A, Leach M, Asher L. Exploring the induction and measurement of positive affective state in equines through a personality-centred lens. Sci Rep 2025 May 27;15(1):18550.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-98034-8pubmed: 40425817google scholar: lookup
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