Voluntary Rein Tension in Horses When Moving Unridden in a Dressage Frame Compared with Ridden Tests of the Same Horses-A Pilot Study.
Abstract: Too much rein tension while riding may compromise the welfare of the horse. But who generates the tension on the reins-the horse or the rider? The primary aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the maximum rein tension that horses voluntarily maintain without a rider compared to rein tension with a rider. A secondary aim was to evaluate conflict behaviours in relation to rein tension. Thirteen horses were used, all fitted with customised "Animon" rein tension sensors (25 Hz, up to 600 N range), free-moving with side reins set in dressage competition frame with the noseline on the vertical. Rein tension was measured at the walk, trot, and canter in both directions in a round pen. The same horses were then ridden by their usual riders and completed the same task on a riding ground. Continuous video recordings were obtained to subsequently quantify the occurrence of conflict behaviours. The difference in mean maximum peak of rein tension with and without a rider for each gait was compared using the Wilcoxon Rank Sum test. Without a rider, rein tension was significantly lower (Wilcoxon T = 0, p < 0.01, 7.5 N ± 2.8 N) than with a rider (Wilcoxon T = 0, p < 0.01, 24.0 N ± 12.3 N). Regardless of the different rein tensions in the ridden exercise, all of the horses exhibited approximately the same amount of rein tension in the unridden exercise. The frequency of conflict behaviour was higher with a rider than without (11 ± 14 per minute vs. 2 ± 3 per minute; T = 4, p < 0.01).
Publication Date: 2019-06-06 PubMed ID: 31174265PubMed Central: PMC6616402DOI: 10.3390/ani9060321Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research indicates that horses exert less tension on the reins when moving freely, as opposed to when they are ridden. The study also found an increase in conflict behavior when the horses were ridden compared to when they were not.
Research Aim and Design
The study aimed to measure the maximum rein tension a horse voluntarily applies without a rider and compare this with the tension when ridden. The study also aimed to assess any conflict behaviors relating to rein tension.
A group of thirteen horses participated in the study. Each horse was fitted with customized Animon rein tension sensors and was first allowed to move freely with side reins in a dressage competition posture. The rein tension was recorded while the horses moved at walk, trot, and canter speeds, in both directions in a round pen.
The same horses were later ridden by their usual riders and performed the same tasks in a riding arena. Video recordings were made to evaluate any conflict behaviors exhibited by the horses.
Findings
- The study results showed that rein tension was significantly lower when the horses moved without a rider than with a rider. This was a statistically significant finding, indicating that the tension on the reins is primarily generated by the rider.
- Regardless of varying rein tensions in the ridden exercise, all horses maintained approximately the same rein tension in the unridden exercise, suggesting that the rein tension generated by a horse when not ridden is relatively consistent.
- The study also found a higher frequency of conflict behaviours when horses were ridden compared to moving freely. “Conflict behaviors” may refer to any adverse behaviour displayed by the horse linked to discomfort or disagreement with the rider’s instructions.
Implications
- This study results provide valuable insights into rein tension in horse riding, a factor that can affect the horse’s welfare. Excessive rein tension may result in discomfort or pain for the horse, so understanding its causes and effects could lead to improved riding techniques and better horse welfare.
- The study also highlights the potential behavioral responses of horses to different riding conditions and techniques. Understanding these can help in developing training techniques that reduce conflict behaviors, promoting more cooperative and positive interactions between the horse and rider.
These findings are part of preliminary results, suggesting the need for further, more extensive research in the field.
Cite This Article
APA
Piccolo L, Kienapfel K.
(2019).
Voluntary Rein Tension in Horses When Moving Unridden in a Dressage Frame Compared with Ridden Tests of the Same Horses-A Pilot Study.
Animals (Basel), 9(6).
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9060321 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department for Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany. Lara.Piccolo@rub.de.
- Department for Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany. Kathrin.Kienapfel@rub.de.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Biau S, Pycik E, Boichot L, Berg LC, Ruet A. Rein tensions and behaviour with five rein types in international-level vaulting horses. PLoS One 2024;19(10):e0311919.
- Biau S, Leblanc M, Pycik E, Pasquiet B, Huet B. Biomechanical Characterization of Preparation for Airs above the Ground: A Mixed Approach. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jan 6;14(2).
- Egenvall A, Byström A, Pökelmann M, Connysson M, Kienapfel-Henseleit K, Karlsteen M, McGreevy P, Hartmann E. Rein tension in harness trotters during on-track exercise. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:987852.
- Eisersiö M, Byström A, Yngvesson J, Baragli P, Lanata A, Egenvall A. Rein Tension Signals Elicit Different Behavioral Responses When Comparing Bitted Bridle and Halter. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:652015.
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- Mellor DJ. Mouth Pain in Horses: Physiological Foundations, Behavioural Indices, Welfare Implications, and a Suggested Solution. Animals (Basel) 2020 Mar 29;10(4).
- Kau S, Potz IK, Pospisil K, Sellke L, Schramel JP, Peham C. Bit type exerts an influence on self-controlled rein tension in unridden horses. Sci Rep 2020 Feb 12;10(1):2420.
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