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Equine veterinary journal2011; 43(2); 223-228; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00151.x

Rein tension acceptance in young horses in a voluntary test situation.

Abstract: During riding, horses are frequently exposed to pressure from the rider, e.g. through the bit and reins, but few studies have investigated at which point rein tension becomes uncomfortable for the horse. Objective: To investigate how much rein tension young inexperienced horses are willing to accept in order to obtain a food reward; whether the tension acceptance changes during 3 consecutive test days; and whether rein tension correlates with the expression of conflict behaviour and heart rate. Objective: Pressure-naïve horses will apply only little rein tension in the first voluntary trial, but their acceptance will gradually increase. High levels of rein tension will lead to expression of conflict behaviour and increases in heart rate. Methods: Fifteen 2-year-old, bridle-naïve mares were encouraged to stretch their head forward (across a 0.95 m high metal bar) to obtain a food reward in a voluntary test situation. On each test day, each horse was exposed to 2 control sessions (loose reins), an intermediate and a short rein session (1 min/session). Rein tension, heart rate and behaviour were recorded. Results: The horses applied significantly more tension on the first day (mean rein tension: 10.2 N), compared to the second and third test day (Day 2: 6.0 and Day 3: 5.7 N). The horses showed significantly more conflict behaviour in the short rein treatment. There was no treatment effect on heart rate. Conclusions: The horses applied the highest rein tension on the first day, and apparently learned to avoid the tension, rather than habituate to it. Rein tension correlated with expression of conflict behaviour, indicating that the horses found the tension aversive. Further studies should focus on the correlation between rein tension and conflict behaviour in ridden horses.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2011-05-20 PubMed ID: 21592219DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00151.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article investigates how young inexperienced horses can bear rein tension to get a food reward, by assessing the changes in acceptance over three consecutive test days, and the correlation between rein tension, conflict behavior, and heart rate. The study indicates the highest levels of rein tension resulted in evident conflict behavior, suggesting that horses found such tension to be unpleasant.

Study Design

  • Fifteen 2-year-old, naive-to-bridle mares were used in a voluntary test where they were motivated to extend their heads forward to obtain a food reward. The experimental setup involved a 0.95 m high metal bar.
  • On each of the three test days, horses underwent two control sessions (with loose reins), an intermediate, and a short rein session each lasting a minute.
  • During these sessions, rein tension, heart rate, and horse behavior were monitored and recorded.

Findings

  • It was discovered that the horses applied significantly more tension on the first day with an average rein tension of 10.2 N, which reduced to 6.0 N and 5.7 N respectively on the second and third test days.
  • In the sessions with short reins, horses demonstrated significantly more conflict behaviors. This is behavior that expresses discomfort or resistance to what’s being imposed on the horse.
  • No effect of the treatment was observed on the heart rate of the horses.

Conclusion

  • The horses were able to apply the highest tension on the first day but effectively learned to avoid this tension in subsequent sessions, instead of growing used to it. This shows a potential capability of the horses to recognise and evade unpleasant or harmful experiences.
  • There was a clear correlation between rein tension and the expression of conflict behavior. This is indicative that the horses found higher rein tension unpleasant.
  • The researchers suggest further studies should concentrate on the correlation between rein tension and conflict behavior in ridden horses to gain more insights into equine welfare during riding.

Cite This Article

APA
Christensen JW, Zharkikh TL, Antoine A, Malmkvist J. (2011). Rein tension acceptance in young horses in a voluntary test situation. Equine Vet J, 43(2), 223-228. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00151.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 43
Issue: 2
Pages: 223-228

Researcher Affiliations

Christensen, J W
  • Department of Animal Health and Bioscience, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark. JanneWinther.Christensen@agrsci.dk
Zharkikh, T L
    Antoine, A
      Malmkvist, J

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Behavior, Animal
        • Conflict, Psychological
        • Horses
        • Pressure

        Citations

        This article has been cited 14 times.
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