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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / The Human-Horse Relationship: Identifying the Antecedents of...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(2); 278; doi: 10.3390/ani11020278

The Human-Horse Relationship: Identifying the Antecedents of Horse Owner Attitudes towards Horse Husbandry and Management Behaviour.

Abstract: The welfare of recreational horses is an important issue. Horse owner attitudes towards horse ownership are likely to influence owner behaviour in terms of horse husbandry and management practices and human-horse interactions, which in turn are likely to affect the welfare of the horse. Based on Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behaviour, this paper examines the relationships between horse owner attributes, specifically background factors (demographics, knowledge, and experience) and attitudes (beliefs) towards horse husbandry and management behaviour. Data were collected via a random telephone survey and during on-site inspections with Victorian horse owners and their horses ( = 57), using an attitude questionnaire. Relationships were found between horse owner background factors and horse owner attitudes towards horse husbandry and management behaviour. Generally, belief variables correlated significantly with background factors that were primarily related to knowledge and experience. Further, beliefs concerning three key husbandry practices (parasite control, hoof care, and dental care) all appear to be predicted to some degree by background factors associated with knowledge and experience. Therefore, a practical recommendation may be the implementation of education and training programs aimed at improving horse owner knowledge and experience regarding effective horse husbandry and management to promote horse welfare. Clearly, further research is warranted.
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Publication Date: 2021-01-22 PubMed ID: 33499202PubMed Central: PMC7911803DOI: 10.3390/ani11020278Google 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.

The research article presents a study which finds that horse owners’ knowledge and experience influence their beliefs and behaviors towards horse care and management, impacting the welfare of horses. The authors are interested particularly in the realm of recreational horse ownership and propose increased education and training programs for such individuals to promote better horse welfare.

Exploring the Human-Horse Relationship

  • The research brings the importance of understanding recreational horse owners’ attitudes towards horse ownership into perspective. These attitudes shape their behaviours regarding the horse’s care and its management. The subsequent impact of this is seen directly on the horse’s welfare.
  • This study comes from a theoretical perspective based on Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour. In essence, the study focuses on identifying the antecedent variables or prior factors which influence horse owner behaviour, giving it its shape and form. These include demographic characteristics, knowledge and experience of the horse owners.

Research Methodology

  • To gather data for the study, the researchers used a random telephone survey coupled with on-site inspections of horse owners and their horses in Victoria. A total of 57 horse owners were involved in this investigation.
  • They used an attitude questionnaire as an instrument to capture the attitudes of the horse owners about horse care and management.

Key Findings

  • The study found significant relationships between the horse owner’s background and their attitudes towards horse care and management. These results strongly suggest that the owner’s beliefs are interconnected with their knowledge, experience and background.
  • Further, the researchers found that these belief variables had a major impact on the three key aspects of horse care and husbandry: parasite control, hoof care, and dental care. These practices were seen to be predicated by the prior variables of knowledge and experience.

Implications and Recommendations

  • Given the findings, the researchers propose that increased education and training for recreational horse owners could benefit the overall welfare of horses. By improving the knowledge and skills of the owners, the care and management practices around horses could potentially be positively influenced.
  • However, further research is necessary in this regard in order to increase understanding and validate the findings. The premise here is that the improvement in these background variables, such as knowledge and experience, can lead to changes in belief system and ultimately influence behaviours pertaining to horse management and care.

Cite This Article

APA
Hemsworth LM, Jongman EC, Coleman GJ. (2021). The Human-Horse Relationship: Identifying the Antecedents of Horse Owner Attitudes towards Horse Husbandry and Management Behaviour. Animals (Basel), 11(2), 278. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020278

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 2
PII: 278

Researcher Affiliations

Hemsworth, Lauren M
  • Animal Welfare Science Centre, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
Jongman, Ellen C
  • Animal Welfare Science Centre, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
Coleman, Grahame J
  • Animal Welfare Science Centre, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.

Grant Funding

  • 302860 / Bureau of Animal Welfare (BAW)

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
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