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Frontiers in veterinary science2021; 8; 652015; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.652015

Rein Tension Signals Elicit Different Behavioral Responses When Comparing Bitted Bridle and Halter.

Abstract: When a rider maintains contact on the reins, rein tension will vary continuously in synchronicity with the horse's gait and stride. This continuous variation makes it difficult to isolate the rein tension variations that represent a rein tension signal, complicating interpretation of rein tension data from the perspective of horse-rider interaction. This study investigated (1) the characteristics of a rein tension signal and (2) horse response to a rein tension signal for backing, comparing pressure applied by a bit (bridle), or by a noseband (halter). Twenty Warmblood horses (10 young, 10 adult) wearing a rein tension meter were trained to step back in the aisle of a stable. The handler stood next to the horse's withers, applying tension on the reins until the horse stepped back. This was repeated eight times with the bridle and eight times with the halter. Data analysis was performed using mixed linear and logistic regression models. Horses displaying behaviors other than backing showed significantly increased response latency and rein tension. Inattentive behavior was significantly more common in the halter treatment and in young horses, compared with the bridle treatment and adult horses. Evasive behaviors with the head, neck, and mouth were significantly more common in the bridle treatment than in the halter treatment and the occurrence of head/neck/mouth behaviors increased with increasing rein tension and duration of the rein tension signal. When controlling for behavior, the horses responded significantly faster and to a lighter rein tension signal in the bridle treatment than in the halter treatment. By scrutinizing data on rein tension signals in relation to horse behavior and training exercise, more can be learnt about the horse's experience of the pressures applied and the timing of the release. This can assist in developing ways to evaluate rein tension in relation to correct use of negative reinforcement.
Copyright © 2021 Eisersiö, Byström, Yngvesson, Baragli, Lanata and Egenvall.
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Publication Date: 2021-05-07 PubMed ID: 34026891PubMed Central: PMC8138478DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.652015Google 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 research study examined how horses respond differently to signals generated from tension in reins when using either a bit (bridle) or a noseband (halter). It found significant differences in horses’ reaction times and behaviors, with younger horses and halter usage causing more inattentive behaviors, while bridle usage triggered more evasion behaviors but quicker responses.

Introduction

  • The study sought to understand how slight variations in rein tension, which happen naturally because of a horse’s gait and stride, impact the horse’s response to signals from a rider.
  • These variations make it difficult to distinguish between what is a required signal and what’s incidental variation from the horse’s movements, complicating the interpretation of rein tension data in the context of horse-rider interaction.

Methodology

  • The researchers used a sample of 20 Warmblood horses, half of which were young and the other half adults.
  • The horses were trained to step backwards in the aisle of a stable, and rein signal was then applied through either a bridle or a halter.
  • Each horse underwent this process eight times with a bridle and eight times with a halter.

Data Analysis

  • The study employed a mix of linear and logistic regression models for data analysis.
  • The researchers looked for correlations between the horses’ behaviors and the rein tension signal using these models.

Results

  • Overall, horses showed different responses depending on the tensioning device (bridle or halter) used, their age, and specific behaviors.
  • Inattentive behavior was found to be significantly more common in young horses and when using a halter.
  • Evasive behaviors like raising their head, stiffening the neck, or moving the mouth were significantly more frequent with bit usage but also as the duration and intensity of the rein tension signal increased.
  • However, when the horse’s behavior was controlled, the horses generally responded faster and to lighter tension in the bridle treatment than in the halter.

Conclusion

  • The study provides insight into the relationship between rein tension signals and horse behavior, highlighting the importance of understanding the pressure application and release timing during horse training.
  • This can be further used to help evaluate the correct use of negative reinforcement in equine training.

Cite This Article

APA
Eisersiö M, Byström A, Yngvesson J, Baragli P, Lanata A, Egenvall A. (2021). Rein Tension Signals Elicit Different Behavioral Responses When Comparing Bitted Bridle and Halter. Front Vet Sci, 8, 652015. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.652015

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 652015

Researcher Affiliations

Eisersiö, Marie
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Byström, Anna
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Yngvesson, Jenny
  • Department of Animal Environment and Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skara, Sweden.
Baragli, Paolo
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
  • Research Center "E.Piaggio", School of Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Lanata, Antonio
  • Department of Information Engineering, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Egenvall, Agneta
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Galotti A, Eisersiö M, Yngvesson J, Lanatà A, Maglieri V, Palagi E, Baragli P. Rein tension and heart rate variability in horses: an experiment on experience. J Anim Sci 2025 Jan 4;103.
    doi: 10.1093/jas/skaf146pubmed: 40331242google scholar: lookup
  2. Byström A, Egenvall A, Eisersiö M, Engell MT, Lykken S, Lundesjö Kvart S. The impact of teaching approach on horse and rider biomechanics during riding lessons. Heliyon 2025 Jan 30;11(2):e41947.
    doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e41947pubmed: 39906839google scholar: lookup
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