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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet J / The influence of challenging objects and horse-rider matchin...
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2011; 192(1); 75-80; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.04.011

The influence of challenging objects and horse-rider matching on heart rate, heart rate variability and behavioural score in riding horses.

Abstract: A good horse-rider 'match' is important in the context of equine welfare. To quantify the influence of repetition and horse-rider matching on the stress of horses encountering challenging objects, 16 Warmblood horses were ridden in a test-setting on three occasions. On each occasion the horse was ridden by a different rider and was challenged by three objects (A-C). Heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV) of horse and rider, and behaviour score (BS) of the horse were obtained for each object and as a total for each test. The horse-rider interaction was evaluated with each combination and assessed as 'matching' or 'mismatching', and the horses were categorised as 'compliant', 'partly-compliant' or 'non-compliant'. Horses exhibited a decreased HR (P=0.015) and a decreased BS (P=0.004) within and across different tests. 'Matching' horse-rider combinations exhibited less stress as indicated by reduced HR ('match' 69±10 vs. 'mismatch' 72±9, P=0.001) and BS ('match' 1.9±1.1 vs. 'mismatch' 3.8±1.4, P=0.017) of the horse. 'Compliant' (68±8, P<0.001) and 'partly-compliant' (71±9, P=0.002) horses had significantly lower HR than 'non-compliant' (75±9) animals. The findings of the study indicate that HR and BS measurements support a subjective 'match' diagnosis and HR measurement may be a valuable tool in assessing horse compliance.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2011-05-25 PubMed ID: 21612959DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.04.011Google 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 discusses the impact of the bond between a horse and rider on the horse’s stress levels when faced with challenging situations. The study found that a good “match” between horse and rider can significantly reduce the horse’s stress, as indicated by lower heart rate and behavior score.

Study Overview

  • The study conducted involved 16 Warmblood horses and three objects (A-C) posing as challenges in a test setting. Every horse was ridden by a different rider on three different occasions.
  • The assessment metrics included the horse’s heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV) of both the horse and rider, and the horse’s behavior score (BS) for each test object and as a total for each test.
  • The horses were further categorized as ‘compliant’, ‘partly-compliant’ or ‘non-compliant’, based on their behavior and response to rider commands.

Horse-Rider Interactions

  • The interactions between the horse and rider were evaluated with every combination and assessed as ‘matching’ or ‘mismatching’.
  • In ideal ‘matching’ scenarios, horse-rider combinations exhibited less stress which was indicated by lowered heart rate and behavior score of the horse.
  • In ‘mismatching’ scenarios, horses showcased higher heart rates and behavior scores, indicating higher stress.

Results of the Study

  • The results showed that horses presented a decreased heart rate and a lowered behavior score within and across different tests, indicating that repetition of the similar situations helped in reducing stress.
  • ‘Matching’ horse-rider pairs exhibited lesser stress levels in horses, as shown by reduced heart rates and behavior scores compared to ‘mismatching’ pairs.
  • ‘Compliant’ and ‘partly-compliant’ horses had significantly lower heart rates than ‘non-compliant’ horses, indicating lower stress levels among the former groups.

Conclusion

  • The study conclusions suggest that heart rate and behavior score measurements can validate a subjective ‘match’ diagnosis between horse and rider.
  • The heart rate measurement could be a valuable tool in assessing the horse’s compliance, thus helping to further understand equine welfare and the importance of a suitable match between the horse and its rider.

Cite This Article

APA
Munsters CC, Visser KE, van den Broek J, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM. (2011). The influence of challenging objects and horse-rider matching on heart rate, heart rate variability and behavioural score in riding horses. Vet J, 192(1), 75-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.04.011

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1532-2971
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 192
Issue: 1
Pages: 75-80

Researcher Affiliations

Munsters, Carolien C B M
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, NL 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands. carolien@munsters.nl
Visser, Kathalijne E K
    van den Broek, Jan
      Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan, Marianne M

        MeSH Terms

        • Adolescent
        • Animals
        • Behavior, Animal
        • Female
        • Handling, Psychological
        • Heart Rate
        • Horses / physiology
        • Horses / psychology
        • Human-Animal Bond
        • Humans
        • Linear Models
        • Male
        • Motor Skills
        • Netherlands
        • Stress, Psychological
        • Young Adult

        Citations

        This article has been cited 20 times.
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