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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(11); 1982; doi: 10.3390/ani10111982

Validation of the Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ): A New Survey Instrument for Exploring and Monitoring the Domestic Equine Triad.

Abstract: The Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ) was developed to obtain quantitative data on the domestic equine triad: training, management and behaviour. It can be taken repeatedly, thus collecting longitudinal data to enable evaluation of how changes in a horse's training and management are reflected in that horse's behaviour over time and how these changes can impact horse welfare in the longer term. Questionnaire validation and reliability were tested by determining (a) whether an owner's subjective ratings of their horse's problematic behaviours or undesirable temperament traits were reflected in the questionnaire scores obtained for that horse (construct validity), (b) whether two respondents, equally familiar with a particular horse, reported comparable scores for that horse through the questionnaire (inter-rater reliability), and (c) whether the same respondent, scoring the same horse after a known interval of time, recorded similar responses (intra-rater reliability). Construct validity testing of 1923 responses showed significant alignment between owners' reported experience of focal horses' behaviour and those horses' E-BARQ scores, with scores varying from 1.13 to 1.34 for ridden horse behaviour (all < 0.001) and from 1.06 to 1.43 for non-ridden horse behaviour (all < 0.001). Inter-rater reliability testing of ten horse-rider pairs revealed that 203 of the 215 question items were significantly aligned ( < 0.001) when tested by two independent raters. Of the remaining 19 items, four had fair alignment (ĸ = 0.174-0.316; = 0.281) and ten items, largely related to whether the horse shows behavioural signs related to anxiety when taken away from home, did not align (ĸ = 0; = 1). Intra-rater reliability tests showed that the responses significantly aligned on all 215 question items tested ( < 0.001). The results of these tests confirmed the construct validity and reliability of E-BARQ as a standardised behavioural assessment tool for horses.
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Publication Date: 2020-10-28 PubMed ID: 33126670PubMed Central: PMC7692587DOI: 10.3390/ani10111982Google 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 focused on validating a new tool for assessing and monitoring horse behavior, training, and management called the E-BARQ. After careful testing for reliability and validity, the study confirmed E-BARQ as a reliable measure for behavior prediction.

Objective of the Study

  • The primary aim of the research was to validate a new tool called the Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ).
  • The goal was to establish a means to gather quantitative data over time related to the domestic equine triad: training, management, and behaviour, and how changes in each affect equine welfare.

Methodology

  • The study validated and tested the reliability of E-BARQ in multiple ways. They first checked if an owner’s subjective ratings of their horse’s behaviours and temperaments were reflected in the E-BARQ scores (construct validity).
  • They then tested inter-rater reliability by comparing the E-BARQ scores from two people familiar with the same horse.
  • Lastly, the researchers checked for intra-rater reliability by having the same person assess the same horse after a specific interval and comparing the scores.

Results

  • The construct validity test showed significant alignment and consistency between owners’ assessments of their horse’s behaviour and the scores obtained through E-BARQ. This indicates that the tool accurately reflects a horse’s behavior based on their caregiver’s perception.
  • The inter-rater reliability test showed that scores were remarkably similar for most questions when tested by two different individuals who were familiar with the horse.
  • The intra-rater test revealed alignment in all question items, indicating that the responses from the same person were consistent every time.
  • The results confirmed that E-BARQ is a reliable and valid tool for the assessment of horse behavior.
  • However, some areas, such as questions related to whether the horse demonstrates anxiety when away from home, showed a lack of alignment. This indicates that these aspects may require further refinement.

Conclusion

  • The findings of the research confirmed the validity and reliability of E-BARQ. The tool can be used to gather longitudinal data on horse behaviour, training, and management, further assisting in improving horse welfare.
  • The findings also highlighted areas where the questionnaire might need further refinement and adjustments to improve its capabilities in assessing specific behavioral traits.

Cite This Article

APA
Fenner K, Matlock S, Williams J, Wilson B, McLean A, Serpell J, McGreevy P. (2020). 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), 10(11), 1982. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10111982

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 11
PII: 1982

Researcher Affiliations

Fenner, Kate
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
Matlock, Sarah
  • Equine Sciences Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Williams, Jane
  • Equine Department, Hartpury University, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK.
Wilson, Bethany
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
McLean, Andrew
  • Equitation Science International, 3 Wonderland Ave, Tuerong, VIC 3915, Australia.
Serpell, James
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
McGreevy, Paul
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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This article has been cited 7 times.
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