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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Owner-Observed Behavioral Characteristics in Off-the-Track T...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(14); 2046; doi: 10.3390/ani15142046

Owner-Observed Behavioral Characteristics in Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds (OTTTBs) in Equestrian Second Careers.

Abstract: The off-the-track Thoroughbred's (OTTTB's) suitability for equestrian retraining and rehoming should always be subject to behavioral considerations. Certain attributes may be advantageous to a horse's racing performance but unfavorable to their prospects off the track. It is important to gain a non-biased understanding of how Thoroughbreds (TBs) in equestrian disciplines compare with other horses behaviorally, to minimize risks of poor welfare and safety outcomes. The current study used owner-reported information ( = 1633) from the Equine Behavior Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ) global database to compare the behaviors of OTTTBs with those of other ridden horses. Boldness, compliance, rideability, trainability, and responsiveness to acceleration and deceleration signals were evaluated in the context of 27 E-BARQ items, as determined by exploratory factor analysis (EFA). In this study, OTTTBs demonstrated more boldness ( = 3.793; < 0.001) and lower compliance and responsiveness to deceleration signals ( = 3.448; < 0.001) than non-OTTTBs. Trainability, rideability, and responsiveness to acceleration signals did not differ significantly between OTTTBs and non-OTTTBs. These findings provide direction for future research into causal factors and improvement opportunities regarding the training and management of Thoroughbreds, on- and off-the-track.
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Publication Date: 2025-07-11 PubMed ID: 40723508PubMed Central: PMC12291702DOI: 10.3390/ani15142046Google 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 focuses on the behavioral traits of off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTTBs) and how they compare with other horses used for riding. The findings highlight that OTTTBs demonstrated more boldness but less compliance and responsiveness to deceleration signals than non-OTTTBs. No notable differences were found in trainability and rideability.

Introduction

  • This research is centered on the evaluation of behavioral characteristics in off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTTBs). The study aims to provide unbiased insights into how these particular horses, previously used for racing, compare behaviorally with other horses meant for equestrian disciplines. This understanding is crucial in ensuring the Thoroughbred’s welfare and safety as they transition into their second career off the race track.

Methodology

  • The study employed the use of the Equine Behavior Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ). This is a globally recognized tool for assessing equine behavior.
  • In order to make comparisons between OTTTBs and other ridden horses, a total of 1633 owner-reported pieces of information were collected and analyzed.
  • The mentioned characteristics such as boldness, compliance, rideability, trainability, and responsiveness to acceleration and deceleration signals were put into the context of 27 E-BARQ items as determined by exploratory factor analysis (EFA).

Findings

  • The research findings revealed that OTTTBs exhibited more boldness compared to non-OTTTBs.
  • It was also observed that OTTTBs showed lower compliance and responsiveness to deceleration signals.
  • However, when it came to trainability, rideability, and responsiveness to acceleration signals, no substantial differences were observed between the OTTTBs and non-OTTTBs.

Implication

  • The findings from this study provide a direction for future research. The observed behavioral differences can lead to determining causal factors pertained to training and managing Thoroughbreds, especially those transitioning from the track.
  • The results underline the importance of understanding behavioral considerations when transitioning horses from racing to equestrian careers, with direct implications for their welfare and training methods.

Cite This Article

APA
Knox AL, Fenner K, Zsoldos RR, Wilson B, McGreevy P. (2025). Owner-Observed Behavioral Characteristics in Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds (OTTTBs) in Equestrian Second Careers. Animals (Basel), 15(14), 2046. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15142046

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 14
PII: 2046

Researcher Affiliations

Knox, Anne-Louise
  • UQ School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia.
Fenner, Kate
  • UQ School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia.
Zsoldos, Rebeka R
  • UQ School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia.
  • Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), 750 07 Alnarp, Sweden.
Wilson, Bethany
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
McGreevy, Paul
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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