Successive approximation of horses to their first work on a treadmill: The effect of previous loading into a trailer.
Abstract: A horse learning about the entrance to narrow, cage-shaped places may be challenging both for the horses as well as for the owners. For some behaviors, such as loading into a trailer or climbing onto a treadmill, the final behavioral goal can be achieved by working towards it in stages. This study compared the successive approximation of horses to their first work on a treadmill with horses hardly ever loaded (HE L) and regularly loaded (R L) into a trailer. Fourteen horses were divided into two groups (HE L n = 7 and R L n = 7) based on their experiences of entering into a trailer. All horses were taught using four stages of successive approximation. The average lead time was longer in the HE L than in the R L group, both in the first (HE L: 33.8 ± 12.4 s; R L: 17.6 ± 12.9 s; p = 0.035) and last stages (HE L: 12.0 ± 10.3 s; R L: 3.7 ± 1.0 s; p = 0.032) of trials. With the subsequent repetitions of each step, the heart rate decreased in both groups. Very few behaviors indicating fear or unwillingness ("rearing," "sideways," and "backwards") were observed. Horses that were regularly loaded exhibited signs of relaxation. The successive approximation of horses to the first work on a treadmill differed and may depend on the previous experiences with loading and travelling in the confined space of a trailer.
© 2022 The Authors. Animal Science Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Society of Animal Science.
Publication Date: 2022-01-25 PubMed ID: 35073611PubMed Central: PMC9540859DOI: 10.1111/asj.13687Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- 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 article investigates the impact of previous trailer loading experiences on horses’ adaptation to working on a treadmill. It finds that horses frequently loaded into trailers more quickly adapted to the treadmill operation compared to those infrequently loaded onto trailers.
Overview of the Research Paper
- This research was conducted to understand the potential influence of previous experiences of loading into confined spaces, such as a trailer, on a horse’s subsequent comfort and adaptability with operating on treadmills. The purpose of this study was to contribute to our understanding of equine behavior and conditioning.
- A total of fourteen horses were used in the experiment. These animals were split into two groups based on their experiences with trailer loading. The first group, referred to as ‘HE L’, consisted of horses that had hardly ever been loaded into trailers. The second group, ‘R L’, comprised horses that were regularly loaded into trailers.
- The horses were trained using a method known as ‘successive approximation’, which means breaking down a behavior into stages and working towards the final behavior gradually. Four stages were implemented for this process.
- Monitoring various parameters provided quantitative data regarding the horse’s fear or unwillingness to perform the action. These parameters included the lead time required for each phase of the training, heart rate, and observable behavior like rearing, moving sideways, or moving backwards.
- The findings showed that the ‘R L’ horses, which are regularly loaded into a trailer, were quicker in completing both the initial and final stages of training sessions. Their lead time was less compared to the ‘HE L’ group.
- Heart rate reduction throughout the successive approximation process in both groups indicated decreased anxiety levels as the horse became more familiar with the process.
- Very few behaviors indicative of fear or resistance were observed, suggesting that most horses were able to acclimate to this new training condition. Interestingly, the horses regularly loaded into trailers even showed signs of relaxation, pointing potentially to the impact of prior acclimation to small, confined spaces.
- The research implies that a horse’s past experiences with loading and travel in a trailer can affect its acclimation to the exercise conditions on a treadmill. Such findings can be instrumental in equine training and behavior management strategies.
Research Methodology
Research Findings
Cite This Article
APA
Maśko M, Lewczuk D, Szarska E, Domino M.
(2022).
Successive approximation of horses to their first work on a treadmill: The effect of previous loading into a trailer.
Anim Sci J, 93(1), e13687.
https://doi.org/10.1111/asj.13687 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Warsaw, Poland.
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences Jastrzębiec (PAS - PAN), Magdalenka, Poland.
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Warsaw, Poland.
- Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Warsaw, Poland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Fear
- Heart Rate
- Horses
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
Grant Funding
- POIR.01.01.01.-00-0641/17 / National Centre for Research and Development
Conflict of Interest Statement
Authors declare no conflict of interests for this article.
References
This article includes 35 references
- Aiello SE, Moses MA. The Merck veterinary manual. 11th ed..
- Bachi B, Wiestner T, Stoll A, Waldern NM, Imboden I, Weishaupt MA. Changes of ground reaction force and timing variables in the course of habituation of horses to the treadmill. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 63, 13–23.
- Bayly W, Lopez C, Sides R, Bergsma G, Bergsma J, Gold J, Sellon D. Effect of different protocols on the mitigation of exercise‑induced pulmonary hemorrhage in horses when administered 24 hours before strenuous exercise. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 33, 2319–2326.
- Bellenzani MC, Merritt JS, Clarke S, Davies HM. Investigation of forelimb hoof wall strains and hoof shape in unshod horses exercised on a treadmill at various speeds and gaits. American Journal of Veterinary Research 73, 1735–1741.
- Budzyńska M. Stress reactivity and coping in horse adaptation to environment. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 34, 935–941.
- Byström A, Egenvall A, Roepstorff L, Rhodin M, Bragança FS, Hernlund E, van Weeren R, Weishaupt MA, Clayton HM. Biomechanical findings in horses showing asymmetrical vertical excursions of the withers at walk. PLoS ONE 13, e0204548.
- Christensen JW, Rundgren M, Olsson K. Training methods for horses: Habituation to a frightening stimulus. Equine Veterinary Journal 38, 439–443.
- Coleman K, Pranger L, Maier A, Lambeth SP, Perlman JE, Thiele E, Schapiro SJ. Training rhesus macaques for venipuncture using positive reinforcement techniques: A comparison with chimpanzees. Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science 47, 37–41.
- Cooper JO, Heron TE, Heward WL. Applied behavior analysis. second ed..
- Davidson EJ. Lameness evaluation of the athletic horse. Veterinary Clinics: Equine Practice 34, 181–191.
- Ferguson DL, Rosales-Ruiz J. Loading the problem loader: The effects of target training and shaping on trailer‑loading behavior of horses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis 34, 409–424.
- Franklin SH, Naylor JR, Lane JG. Videoendoscopic evaluation of the upper respiratory tract in 93 sport horses during exercise testing on a high‑speed treadmill. Equine Veterinary Journal 38(S36), 540–545.
- Hawkley LC, Cole SW, Capitanio JP, Norman GJ, Cacioppo JT. Effects of social isolation on glucocorticoid regulation in social mammals. Hormones and Behavior 62, 314–323.
- Innes L, McBride S. Negative versus positive reinforcement: An evaluation of training strategies for rehabilitated horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 112, 357–368.
- Kau S, Potz IK, Pospisil K, Sellke L, Schramel JP, Peham C. Bit type exerts an influence on self‑controlled rein tension in unridden horses. Scientific Reports 10, 2420.
- Lee J, Houpt K, Doherty O. A survey of trailering problems in horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 21, 237–241.
- Masko M, Domino M, Lewczuk D, Jasinski T, Gajewski Z. Horse behavior, physiology and emotions during habituation to a treadmill. Animals (Basel) 10, 921.
- McGreevy P, Berger J, de Brauwere N, Doherty O, Harrison A, Fiedler J, Jones C, McDonnell S, McLean A, Nakonechny L, Nicol C, Preshaw L, Thomson P, Tzioumis V, Webster J, Wolfensohn S, Yeates J, Jones B. Using the five domains model to assess the adverse impacts of husbandry, veterinary, and equitation interventions on horse welfare. Animals (Basel) 8, 41.
- McGreevy PD, McLean AN. Roles of learning theory and ethology inequitation. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 2, 108–118.
- McLean AN, Christensen JW. The application of learning theory in horse training. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 190, 18–27.
- Mills DS, Nankervise KJ. Equine behaviour: Principles and practice. 1st ed..
- Nankervis KJ, Launder EJ, Murray RC. The use of treadmills within the rehabilitation of horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 53, 108–115.
- Padalino B. Effects of the different transport phases on equine health status, behavior, and welfare: A review. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 10, 272–282.
- Serra Bragança FM, Rhodin M, Wiestner T, Hernlund E, Pfau T, van Weeren PR, Weishaupt MA. Quantification of the effect of instrumentation error in objective gait assessment in the horse on hindlimb symmetry parameters. Equine Veterinary Journal 50, 370–376.
- Starling M, McLean A, McGreevy P. The contribution of equitation science to minimising horse‑related risks to humans. Animals (Basel) 6, 15.
- Stomp M, Leroux M, Cellier M, Henry S, Lemasson A, Hausberger M. An unexpected acoustic indicator of positive emotions in horses. PLoS ONE 13, e0197898.
- Stutz JC, Vidondo B, Ramseyer A, Maninchedda UE, Cruz AM. Effect of three types of horseshoes and unshod feet on selected non‑podal forelimb kinematic variables measured by an extremity mounted inertial measurement unit sensor system in sound horses at the trot under conditions of treadmill and soft geotextile surface exercise. Veterinary Record Open 5, e000237.
- Van de Putte M, Hagemeister N, St-Onge N, Parent G, de Guise JA. Habituation to treadmill walking. Bio‑medical Materials and Engineering 16, 43–52.
- Visser EK, van Reenen CG, van der Werf JTN, Schilder MBH, Knaap JH, Barneveld A, Blokhuis HJ. Heart rate and heart rate variability during a novel object test and a handling test in young horses. Physiology & Behavior 76, 289–296.
- Waran NK, Cí·órd D. Effects of loading and transport on the heart rateand behaviour of horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 43, 71–81.
- Williams JL, Friend TH, Nevill CH, Archer G. The efficacy of a secondaryreinforce (clicker) during acquisition and extinction of an operant task in horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 88, 331–341.
- Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O, Grzędzicka J, Seń J, Czopowicz M, Żmigrodzka M, Winnicka A, Cywińska A, Carter C. Stress response after race and endurance training sessions and competitions in Arabian horses. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 188, 105265.
- Yarnell K, Hall C, Billett E. An assessment of the aversive nature of ananimal management procedure (clipping) using behavioral and physiological measures. Physiology & Behavior 118, 32–39.
- Yngvesson J, de Boussard E, Larsson M, Lundberg A. Loading horses (Equus caballus) onto trailers—Behaviour of horses and horse owners during loading and habituating. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 184, 59–65.
- Yorke A, Matusiewicz J, Padalino B. How to minimise the incidence of transport‑related problem behaviours in horses: A review. Journal of Equine Science 28, 67–75.
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
