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Equine veterinary journal2012; 45(1); 15-19; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00567.x

The use of equipment and training practices and the prevalence of owner-reported ridden behaviour problems in UK leisure horses.

Abstract: UK leisure horses are owned primarily for riding. Ridden behaviour problems may compromise the use of the horse in this role and lead to harsh redress or relinquishment of the horse. Despite the consequences of these problems little is known about their prevalence or the working lives of UK leisure horses. Objective: To generate data on the work undertaken by leisure horses, the equipment and training practices used with them and prevalence of ridden behaviour problems. Methods: An internet survey was used to generate horse-level data from a convenience sample of leisure horse carers. Respondents were asked to report on their practices in the week prior to the survey's completion to minimise recall bias. The survey was online for one year to allow for seasonal variation in practices. Data were collected on the tack and equipment used on the horse, the regularity that professional services (e.g. farriers) were used, type of training employed and frequency the owner reported that horse displayed 15 ridden behaviour problems. Results: The survey generated data on 1326 individual horses. Data describing practices relating to the horse's working life are presented. Ridden behaviour problems were reported in 91% of horses in the week preceding data collection. Conclusions: Descriptive data on the working lives of UK leisure horses provides valuable baseline statistics for this largest section of the UK horse population. High prevalence of owner-reported ridden behaviour problems represents a concern in such leisure horses and may indicate significant rider safety and horse welfare concerns.
© 2012 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2012-04-17 PubMed ID: 22506773DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00567.xGoogle 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 study is about the work, equipment and training methods used for UK leisure horses, and the prevalence of troublesome behaviours when the horses are ridden. The findings indicate that almost all the horses had behavioural issues in the week preceding data collection which may hint at significant safety and welfare challenges for riders and horses respectively.

Research Objectives

  • The main objective of the research was to collect accurate data on the nature of the work, the equipment used and the training methods employed for UK leisure horses, which are primarily used for riding.
  • The study also aimed to evaluate the prevalence of behaviour problems reported by horse owners during rides.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted an internet-based survey, targeting a convenient sample of individuals who take care of leisure horses.
  • The respondents were asked to relay their activities for the week prior to their completing the survey, in an effort to limit recall bias.
  • The survey was available online for a year to account for the change in practices with different seasons.
  • Data on types of tack and equipment, frequency of using professional services, training methods, and the frequency of 15 specific ridden behaviour problems were collected.

Results

  • The survey collected data on 1326 individual horses, providing a comprehensive description of practices related to their working life.
  • Of striking note was the result that 91% of the surveyed horses had displayed at least one of the 15 troublesome behaviours when ridden in the week leading up to data collection.

Conclusions

  • The gathered data created a valuable baseline for statistical analysis of working practices concerning the largest segment of the UK horse population, which are leisure horses.
  • The high rate of reported behavioural problems during rides among these leisure horses is potentially concerning, raising red flags about both rider safety and horse welfare.

Cite This Article

APA
Hockenhull J, Creighton E. (2012). The use of equipment and training practices and the prevalence of owner-reported ridden behaviour problems in UK leisure horses. Equine Vet J, 45(1), 15-19. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00567.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 45
Issue: 1
Pages: 15-19

Researcher Affiliations

Hockenhull, J
  • Department of Biological Sciences, University of Chester, Chester, UK. jo.hockenhull@bristol.ac.uk
Creighton, E

    MeSH Terms

    • Animal Husbandry / methods
    • Animal Welfare
    • Animals
    • Behavior, Animal
    • Data Collection
    • Horses / psychology
    • Physical Conditioning, Animal / methods
    • Recreation
    • Surveys and Questionnaires
    • United Kingdom

    Citations

    This article has been cited 8 times.
    1. Siegers E, van Wijk E, van den Broek J, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan M, Munsters C. Longitudinal Training and Workload Assessment in Young Friesian Stallions in Relation to Fitness: Part 1.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 16;13(4).
      doi: 10.3390/ani13040689pubmed: 36830476google scholar: lookup
    2. Anttila M, Raekallio M, Valros A. Oral Dimensions Related to Bit Size in Adult Horses and Ponies.. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:879048.
      doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.879048pubmed: 35647095google scholar: lookup
    3. Romness N, Fenner K, McKenzie J, Anzulewicz A, Burattini B, Wilson B, McGreevy P. Associations between Owners' Reports of Unwanted Ridden Behaviour and In-Hand Behaviour in Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Dec 18;10(12).
      doi: 10.3390/ani10122431pubmed: 33353091google scholar: lookup
    4. Burattini B, Fenner K, Anzulewicz A, Romness N, McKenzie J, Wilson B, McGreevy P. Age-Related Changes in the Behaviour of Domestic Horses as Reported by Owners.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Dec 7;10(12).
      doi: 10.3390/ani10122321pubmed: 33297447google scholar: lookup
    5. Fenner K, Matlock S, Williams J, Wilson B, McLean A, Serpell J, McGreevy P. Validation of the Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ): A New Survey Instrument for Exploring and Monitoring the Domestic Equine Triad.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Oct 28;10(11).
      doi: 10.3390/ani10111982pubmed: 33126670google scholar: lookup
    6. Fenner K, Dashper K, Serpell J, McLean A, Wilkins C, Klinck M, Wilson B, McGreevy P. The Development of a Novel Questionnaire Approach to the Investigation of Horse Training, Management, and Behaviour.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Oct 24;10(11).
      doi: 10.3390/ani10111960pubmed: 33114408google scholar: lookup
    7. Fenner K, Hyde M, Crean A, McGreevy P. Identifying Sources of Potential Bias When Using Online Survey Data to Explore Horse Training, Management, and Behaviour: A Systematic Literature Review.. Vet Sci 2020 Sep 22;7(3).
      doi: 10.3390/vetsci7030140pubmed: 32971754google scholar: lookup
    8. Horseman SV, Buller H, Mullan S, Whay HR. Current Welfare Problems Facing Horses in Great Britain as Identified by Equine Stakeholders.. PLoS One 2016;11(8):e0160269.
      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160269pubmed: 27501387google scholar: lookup
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