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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(3); 414; doi: 10.3390/ani10030414

Reported Behavioural Differences between Geldings and Mares Challenge Sex-Driven Stereotypes in Ridden Equine Behaviour.

Abstract: Horse trainers and riders may have preconceived ideas of horse temperament based solely on the sex of the horse. A study (n = 1233) of horse enthusiasts (75% of whom had more than 8 years of riding experience) revealed that riders prefer geldings over mares and stallions. While these data may reflect different sex preferences in horses used for sport, they may also reduce the chances of some horses reaching their performance potential. Further, an unfounded sex prejudice is likely to contribute to unconscious bias when perceiving unwanted behaviours, simplistically attributing them to demographic characteristics rather than more complex legacies of training and prior learning. The current study analysed reported sex-related behavioural differences in ridden and non-ridden horses using data from responses to the pilot study of the Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ) survey. Respondents (n = 1233) reported on the behaviour of their horse using a 151-item questionnaire. Data were searched for responses relating to mares and geldings, and 110 traits with the greatest percentage difference scores between mares and geldings were selected were tested for univariate significance at < 0.2. Multivariable modelling of the effect of sex (mare or gelding) on remaining traits was assessed by ordinal logistic regression, using a cumulative proportional log odds model. Results revealed mares were significantly more likely to move away when being caught compared to geldings ( = 0.003). Geldings were significantly more likely to chew on lead ropes when tied ( = 0.003) and to chew on rugs ( = 0.024). However, despite sex-related differences in these non-ridden behaviours, there was no evidence of any significant sex-related differences in the behaviours of the horses when ridden. This finding suggests that ridden horse behaviour is not sexually dimorphic or that particular horse sports variously favour one sex over another.
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Publication Date: 2020-03-02 PubMed ID: 32131444PubMed Central: PMC7142782DOI: 10.3390/ani10030414Google 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 explores equine behaviour in relation to the sex of the horse, challenging the notion that geldings and mares exhibit significantly different behaviours when being ridden. Using data from a comprehensive questionnaire, the study showed minor behavioural differences between the horses when not ridden, but no significant distinctions in their behaviour during riding.

Study Overview

  • The study used data from the Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ), which was completed by 1233 horse enthusiasts. 75% of these respondents had more than eight years of riding experience.
  • The 151-item questionnaire covered a thorough range of horse behaviours, including ridden and non-ridden actions.
  • Only responses regarding mares and geldings were considered, and 110 traits with the most significant percentage difference scores between the two sexes were selected and tested for statistical significance.

Methodology and Analysis

  • The selected traits were subject to univariate significance testing at a P-value of less than 0.2.
  • An ordinal logistic regression, using a cumulative proportional log odds model, was used to examine the effect of the sex of the horse (mare or gelding) on the remaining traits.

Findings

  • Mares were found to be more likely to move away when being caught compared to geldings. This result was statistically significant.
  • Among geldings, there was a significant propensity to chew on lead ropes when tied and to chew on rugs.
  • Despite these minor differences in non-ridden behaviours, the study found no evidence of any significant sex-related differences during ridden behaviour.

Implications

  • The lack of significant behavioural differences between mares and geldings when ridden suggests that horse behaviour under these conditions is not determined by sex. This finding challenges the commonly held belief among horse riders and trainers that the temperament and performance of a horse is influenced by its sex.
  • The study highlights the need to consider factors beyond sex, such as training and past learning experiences, in understanding and managing unwanted horse behaviours. Ignoring these factors and focusing solely on sex could introduce bias and limit the performance potential of certain horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Aune A, Fenner K, Wilson B, Cameron E, McLean A, McGreevy P. (2020). Reported Behavioural Differences between Geldings and Mares Challenge Sex-Driven Stereotypes in Ridden Equine Behaviour. Animals (Basel), 10(3), 414. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10030414

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 3
PII: 414

Researcher Affiliations

Aune, Anna
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
Fenner, Kate
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
Wilson, Bethany
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
Cameron, Elissa
  • College of Science, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.
McLean, Andrew
  • Equitation Science International, 3, Wonderland Ave, Tuerong, VIC 3915, Australia.
McGreevy, Paul
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors report no conflict of interest in this work.

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Citations

This article has been cited 14 times.
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