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Carroll SL, Sykes BW, Mills PC. Understanding and treating equine behavioural problems. Vet J 2023; 296-297:105985. [PMID: 37127134 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.105985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Behaviour-related issues are common in horses. Many 'undesirable behaviours' pose important safety concerns for the human handlers / riders / carers, as well as welfare concerns for the horse. Undesirable behaviours can also devalue a horse, or result in the horse being re-homed, relinquished, or euthanased. Undesirable behaviours occur for a range of reasons. These include physiological causes, poor management, and the use of inappropriate or poorly applied handling and training techniques. The potential contribution of each of these aspects must be considered when attempting to reduce or eliminate undesirable behaviours. Effectively modifying the existing behaviour includes investigation and treatment of potential physiological causes, assessing and adjusting existing handling, husbandry and management, and undertaking behaviour modifying training. Unlike in the treatment of dogs and cats, the use of psychotropic agents is uncommon in equine behaviour medicine but the benefits of using these agents in appropriate cases is gaining recognition. This review discusses potential causes for the development and maintenance of undesirable behaviours in horses and highlights the various considerations involved in determining the most appropriate course for reducing or eliminating these behaviours. There is also a brief discussion about the potential role of psychotropic agents as an additional component of an overall behaviour modification plan to reduce or eliminate undesirable behaviours in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon L Carroll
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Benjamin W Sykes
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia; School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Paul C Mills
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
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Lerch N, Cirulli F, Rochais C, Lesimple C, Guilbaud E, Contalbrigo L, Borgi M, Grandgeorge M, Hausberger M. Interest in Humans: Comparisons between Riding School Lesson Equids and Assisted-Intervention Equids. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11092533. [PMID: 34573500 PMCID: PMC8468107 DOI: 10.3390/ani11092533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Very little is known about the impact of equine-assisted interventions on equids’ perception of humans. Different factors can influence human–horse relationships: animal characteristics, daily interactions with the caretakers, and working and living conditions. In this study, 172 equids working in equine-assisted interventions, ‘classical’ riding school lessons, or both were submitted to a standardised human–horse relationship test in order to test if EAI had an impact on the equid reactions to humans. The possible influence of intrinsic (age, sex, type) or other extrinsic factors (housing and feeding conditions) was also considered. The results showed that the number (more than the type) of experimenter-directed behaviours varied significantly between individuals and that the activity was the most important factor of influence: Equids working in riding school lessons performed more interactive behaviours than those working in equine-assisted interventions or having mixed activity. Other factors such as daily hay quantity, the horses’ age, and sex also influenced secondarily the horse’s motivation to interact, although no interaction was found between factors. These results suggest that equine-assisted interventions do influence horses’ perception of humans outside work. Further studies are needed in order to understand the processes involved. Abstract Little is known about the impact of equine-assisted interventions (EAI) on equids’ perception of humans. In this study 172 equids, living in 12 riding centres, were submitted to a standardised human–horse relationship test: the motionless person test. Age, sex, type (horse/pony), housing, and feeding conditions of subjects were recorded. Overall, 17 equids worked in EAI, 95 in riding school lessons (RS), and 60 in both (EAI-RS). There were high inter-individual variations in the number of interactive behaviours directed towards the experimenter: negative binomial general linear models showed that activity was the most important factor: RS equids performed more interactive behaviours than EAI (p = 0.039) and EAI-RS (p < 0.001) equids. Daily quantity of hay appeared as the second most important factor (equids with more than 3 kg interacted more than equids with less than 3 kg, p = 0.013). Individual characteristics were also important as horses interacted more than ponies (p = 0.009), geldings more than mares (p = 0.032), and 3–15-year-old equids more than equids over 15 years (p = 0.032). However, there was no interaction between factors. The lower number of interactive behaviours of EAI equids leads to different hypotheses—namely, selection on temperament, specific training, or compromised welfare (apathy). In any case, our results raised new lines of questions on EAI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noémie Lerch
- University Rennes, Normandie University, CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie animale et humaine)–UMR 6552, F-35380 Paimpont, France; (C.R.); (C.L.); (E.G.); (M.G.); (M.H.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Francesca Cirulli
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, I-00161 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (M.B.)
| | - Céline Rochais
- University Rennes, Normandie University, CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie animale et humaine)–UMR 6552, F-35380 Paimpont, France; (C.R.); (C.L.); (E.G.); (M.G.); (M.H.)
| | - Clémence Lesimple
- University Rennes, Normandie University, CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie animale et humaine)–UMR 6552, F-35380 Paimpont, France; (C.R.); (C.L.); (E.G.); (M.G.); (M.H.)
| | - Estelle Guilbaud
- University Rennes, Normandie University, CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie animale et humaine)–UMR 6552, F-35380 Paimpont, France; (C.R.); (C.L.); (E.G.); (M.G.); (M.H.)
| | - Laura Contalbrigo
- Italian National Reference Centre for Animal Assisted Interventions, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale Dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro (Padua), Italy;
| | - Marta Borgi
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, I-00161 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (M.B.)
| | - Marine Grandgeorge
- University Rennes, Normandie University, CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie animale et humaine)–UMR 6552, F-35380 Paimpont, France; (C.R.); (C.L.); (E.G.); (M.G.); (M.H.)
| | - Martine Hausberger
- University Rennes, Normandie University, CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie animale et humaine)–UMR 6552, F-35380 Paimpont, France; (C.R.); (C.L.); (E.G.); (M.G.); (M.H.)
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