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Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association2006; 228(1); 39-45; doi: 10.2460/javma.228.1.39

Stress-related behaviors among horses used in a therapeutic riding program.

Abstract: To determine whether therapeutic riding resulted in higher levels of stress or frustration for horses than did recreational riding and whether therapeutic riding with at-risk individuals was more stressful for the horses than was therapeutic riding with individuals with physical or emotional handicaps. Methods: Observational study. Methods: 14 horses in a therapeutic riding program. Methods: An ethogram of equine behaviors was created, and horses were observed while ridden by 5 groups of riders (recreational riders, physically handicapped riders, psychologically handicapped riders, at risk children, and special education children). Number of stress-related behaviors (ears pinned back, head raised, head turned, head tossed, head shaken, head down, and defecation) was compared among groups. Results: No significant differences in mean number of stress-related behaviors were found when horses were ridden by recreational riders, physically handicapped riders, psychologically handicapped riders, or special education children. However, mean number of stress-related behaviors was significantly higher when horses were ridden by the at-risk children. Conclusions: Results suggest that for horses in a therapeutic riding program, being ridden by physically or psychologically handicapped individuals is no more stressful for the horses than is being ridden in the same setting by recreational riders. However, at-risk children caused more stress to the horses, suggesting that the time horses are ridden by at-risk children should be limited both daily and weekly.
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Publication Date: 2006-01-24 PubMed ID: 16426164DOI: 10.2460/javma.228.1.39Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 explores the stress levels in therapy horses ridden by a variety of individuals, ranging from recreational riders to psychologically or physically handicapped and at-risk children. Comparative differences were observed, with at-risk children causing significantly higher stress to the horses.

Research Methodology

  • The research was an observational study involving 14 horses in a therapeutic riding program.
  • Each horse’s behavior was recorded while ridden by individuals from five different categories: recreational riders, physically handicapped riders, psychologically handicapped riders, at-risk children, and special education children.
  • An ethogram or catalogue of horse behaviors was used to visually track and record details during each ride. The behaviors considered were: ears pinned back, head raised, head turned, head tossed, head shaken, head down, and defecation, which are typically regarded as stress-related behaviors in horses.
  • The frequency of these behaviours was then compared across the different rider groups.

Results and Implications

  • The study’s results indicated no significant differences in stress-related behaviors when horses were ridden by recreational riders, physically handicapped riders, psychologically handicapped riders, and special education children.
  • However, there was a noticeably higher frequency of stress-related behaviors when horses were ridden by at-risk children. This suggests that these rides were more stressful for the horses.
  • The findings of this research have implications for therapeutic riding programs. While therapeutic rides for physically or psychologically handicapped individuals do not cause undue stress to the horses, riding sessions with at-risk children might need to be limited to manage the stress levels in horses.

Overall Significance of the Study

  • This study sheds light on an area of horse therapy that had previously been unexplored – the potential stressors for the horses themselves.
  • Targeting the welfare of the therapy horses, the study serves as a guide for institutions to manage their therapeutic horse-riding programs effectively, especially concerning at-risk children.
  • Ultimately, the research emphasizes the importance of considering the well-being of therapy animals and suggests changes in therapeutic riding programs to ensure the health and longevity of therapy horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Kaiser L, Heleski CR, Siegford J, Smith KA. (2006). Stress-related behaviors among horses used in a therapeutic riding program. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 228(1), 39-45. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.228.1.39

Publication

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN: 0003-1488
NlmUniqueID: 7503067
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 228
Issue: 1
Pages: 39-45

Researcher Affiliations

Kaiser, Lana
  • Human-Animal Bond Initiative, College of Nursing, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Heleski, Camie R
    Siegford, Janice
      Smith, Katharine Ann

        MeSH Terms

        • Adult
        • Animals
        • Behavior, Animal / physiology
        • Child
        • Disabled Persons
        • Female
        • Horses / psychology
        • Humans
        • Male
        • Occupational Therapy / methods
        • Persons with Mental Disabilities
        • Recreation
        • Risk Factors
        • Stress, Physiological / veterinary

        Citations

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