Practice of Noseband Use and Intentions Towards Behavioural Change in Dutch Equestrians.

Understanding equestrians' noseband tightening practices and intentions is necessary to target welfare improvement strategies. Firstly, we measured tightness in dressage and show jumping horses in The Netherlands, shortly after implementation of the two-finger rule by the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation. Noseband tightness decreased with age, was less tight in dressage horses than in show jumpers, and was dependent on the interaction between competition level and discipline. Fifty-nine percent of the riders tightened nosebands to such an extent that they adhered to the new regulation. Secondly, we conducted an online survey to gain insight into whether riders were aware of noseband use and tightening behaviour. Of the 386 respondents, 54.5% agreed with the new regulations, and 62% believe that it improves horses' welfare. Applying cluster analysis to statements regarding their own attitude, peer pressure, and behavioural control produced three clusters. Noticeably, a lower percentage of Cluster 1 respondents (38%) performing at higher levels was convinced that the new regulation improved welfare than Cluster 2 (77.9%) and 3 (89.0%) respondents. Designing strategies to ensure the successful implementation of the new regulation and to convince equestrians to comply would be most effective if targeted differentially, and should include a transparent and objective form of regulation.

A comparison of sympathetic and conventional training methods on responses to initial horse training.

In 'sympathetic horsemanship' the importance of the natural behaviour of the horse and the use of body language in communication is emphasised. However, it is unclear what effect sympathetic horsemanship has on the welfare of horses. During a 5-week starting period the effect of a sympathetic (ST) versus a conventional (CT) training method was studied using 28 young Warmblood horses. Behavioural observations during the starting period as well as during a standardised final riding test were performed by trained observers. A Wilcoxon matched-pair test was used to detect differences within groups, Mann-Whitney-U to test differences between groups, and principal component analysis (PCA) to evaluate the effect on multiple variables simultaneously. A human-approach test showed that ST horses snorted significantly less compared to CT horses (P=0.006) after the training period. Furthermore, CT horses showed more fear and stress-related behaviours during training such as 'body tension' (P<0.001), 'high head carriage' (P<0.001), 'lip movements' (P=0.008) and 'teeth grinding' (P=0.03). Principal component analysis demonstrated that horses showed consistent differences in a range of behavioural and heart-rate parameters between groups. Behavioural parameters and technical performance during the standardised final riding test did not differ significantly between groups, but mean heart rate was higher for CT horses (P<0.001). The results suggest that applying a sympathetic training method when starting young horses did not compromise technical performance, but seemed to reduce stress during training compared to a conventional training method.

Effects of various doses of ovine corticotrophin-releasing hormone on plasma and saliva cortisol concentrations in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of IV administration of various doses of ovine corticotrophin-releasing hormone (oCRH) on plasma and saliva cortisol concentrations in healthy horses and determine whether an oCRH challenge test protocol is valid for use in adult horses. ANIMALS: 24 healthy Warmblood horses. PROCEDURES-Each horse received oCRH in saline (0.9% NaCl) via IV administration at a dose of 0 (control treatment), 0.01, 0.1, or 1.0 Mg/kg (6 horses/group). Jugular blood and saliva samples were collected simultaneously 15 minutes before and immediately prior to injection (baseline); data from these samples were pooled to provide basal values. Subsequently, 14 postinjection blood and saliva samples were both collected within a 210-minute period. Cortisol concentrations in all samples were assessed via a solid-phase radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: All doses of oCRH induced significant increases from baseline in both plasma and salivary cortisol concentrations. Compared with the smaller doses of oCRH, the 1.0 Mg/kg dose of oCRH induced significantly greater plasma cortisol concentrations. A relationship (r = 0.518) between basal cortisol concentrations in plasma and saliva was detected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL Relevance-For use as a CRH challenge test in adult horses, a protocol involving IV administration of a dose of at least 0.01 Mg of oCRH/kg and postinjection collection of blood samples from 10 to 180 minutes and saliva samples from 20 to 50 minutes for assessment of plasma and saliva cortisol concentrations should be sufficient. Application of such a test might be helpful to detect states of chronic activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis at the hypothalamic level.

Does horse temperament influence horse-rider cooperation?

Cooperation between rider and horse is of major importance in equitation. A balanced team of horse and rider improves (sport) performances and welfare aspects by decreasing stress, frustration, risks of injuries, and accidents. Important features affecting the cooperation are the physical skills, knowledge, and personality of the rider on one hand and the temperament, experience, and physical abilities of the horse on the other. A study with 16 riders and 16 warm-blood riding horses tested the effect of personality of riders and temperament of horses on cooperation between riders and horses. More emotionally reactive horses showed more evasive behavior during riding. Riders preferred to ride those horses who were assessed by the riders as being attentive to the rider's aid. The frequency of evasive behaviors during riding--as assessed by riders, in contrast to the assessments made by an external judge--influenced the cooperation between rider and horse. On average, a rider's personality did not affect the cooperation between rider and horse; however, it is suggested that a rider's personality does affect the cooperation with more emotionally reactive horses.