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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / The Impact of the Sex of Handlers and Riders on the Reported...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(1); 130; doi: 10.3390/ani11010130

The Impact of the Sex of Handlers and Riders on the Reported Social Confidence, Compliance and Touch Sensitivity of Horses in Their Care.

Abstract: Current evidence of how human sex-related differences in riders and handlers may influence horse behaviour is limited. The Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ) was used to collect demographic data on riders and handlers ( = 1420) and behavioural data on their horses. It includes demographic items about the sex of the respondent and how frequently the horse has been ridden or handled by male and female humans. The questionnaire then gathers observations on the horse's behaviour on the ground and under saddle or when driven Using E-BARQ's battery of 97 questions, the current study showed differences in ridden and non-ridden horse behaviour that were related to the sex of the rider or handler. Data were evaluated using multivariate analysis and revealed that horses handled by male humans were significantly more difficult to catch (-value = -3.11; = 0.002) and significantly more defensive when approached (-value = -2.104; = 0.035), but significantly less likely to pull on the reins/brace the neck or toss their head (-value 1.980; = 0.048) than horses handled more frequently by female humans. The differences found between male and female horse handlers suggest that sex is an important factor to consider when understanding equine behaviour. Our study explored reported differences in confidence, handling and working compliance and touch sensitivity among horses ridden and handled by male and female humans and suggested further research into how these differences are gendered.
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Publication Date: 2021-01-08 PubMed ID: 33430130PubMed Central: PMC7827593DOI: 10.3390/ani11010130Google 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 study explores how the gender of horse handlers and riders might affect the behavior of the horses. Male and female handlers seem to elicit different behavior responses in horses, suggesting gender may be a consideration in understanding horse behavior.

Research Methodology

  • The research utilized the Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ) to gather data from horse riders and handlers, making a total of 1420 participants.
  • The E-BARQ consists of demographic questions concerning the respondent’s gender and the frequency of horse handling or riding by men and women.
  • Following this, the questionnaire collects perceptions regarding the horse’s behavior both when ridden and when on the ground.
  • A total of 97 questions were used in E-BARQ to gather the necessary data for this study.

Data Analysis

  • Data was evaluated using a statistical method called multivariate analysis. This technique allows researchers to observe the connections between more than two variables at the same time.
  • The researchers found differences in horse behavior that seemed linked to the gender of the individual handling or riding the horse.

Findings

  • Horses that were handled by men showed more difficulty in being caught and displayed more defensive behavior when approached.
  • However, these horses showed less likelihood of being disrespectful by pulling on the reigns, bracing the neck, or tossing the head compared to horses more frequently handled by women.
  • The discrepancies revealed in the behaviors of horses depending on the gender of the handler suggest the importance of gender as a factor in understanding equine behavior.

Implications and Recommendations

  • The study sheds light on the possible impact of handler’s gender on horses’ behavior which can be valuable in various fields such as horse riding, handling, and training.
  • The researchers point out the need for further studies to understand the gender-based differences in equine behavior. The findings may have implications for how horse handlers and riders are trained and how they interact with the horses in their care.

Cite This Article

APA
Anzulewicz A, Fenner K, Hyde M, Heald S, Burattini B, Romness N, McKenzie J, Wilson B, McGreevy P. (2021). The Impact of the Sex of Handlers and Riders on the Reported Social Confidence, Compliance and Touch Sensitivity of Horses in Their Care. Animals (Basel), 11(1), 130. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010130

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 1
PII: 130

Researcher Affiliations

Anzulewicz, Ashley
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
Fenner, Kate
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
Hyde, Michelle
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
Heald, Susan
  • Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada.
Burattini, Bibiana
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
Romness, Nicole
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
McKenzie, Jessica
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
Wilson, Bethany
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
McGreevy, Paul
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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