A scoping review of the current literature exploring the nature of the horse-human relationship

Sarah Louise Freeman

doi:10.18849/ve.v4i4.240

Abstract

Objective: To perform a scoping review of the current evidence on the horse-human relationship. Background: The horse-human relationship has a significant impact on how horse owners care for and make decisions for their horse. Evidentiary value: Identification of consensus and gaps in current evidence. Methods: A literature search was performed in CAB Abstracts and Medline using search terms relating to the nature of the horse-human relationship in horses used for pleasure riding. Publications were reviewed against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Original qualitative or observational research studies relating to the relationship between a horse and owner were analysed. Data were extracted on study method and population characteristics. Results: There were 4,481 studies identified; 27 studies were included in the final data extraction. The studies covered 11 different areas, the most frequent were effect of humans on equine behaviour (5/27), equine training methods and behaviour (4/27) and horses within sport and leisure (4/27). A range of methodologies were used, with the most frequent being thematic analysis (6/27 studies), use of an instrument, tool or scale (3/27) and behavioural scoring (4/27). The majority of studies considered the human’s perspective (20/27), six considered the horse perspective and one considered both the horse and human perspective. No studies investigated the same or similar aims or objectives. Conclusion: The current evidence on the horse-human relationship is diverse and heterogenous, which limits the strength of evidence for any particular area. Application: Future research should focus on developing reliable and repeatable tools to assess owner motivations and horse-human relationship, to develop a body of evidence. 

Highlights

From its first domestication over 6,000 years ago, the horse – Equus ferus caballus – has evolved from its primary role as working animal into additional roles as much-loved and reliable companions (Endenburg et al, 1999)
It has been reported that 96% of UK horse owners ride for pleasure and 53% of these have horses whose main role is for leisure riding and hacking, which represents a major change from a utility-based role, to a companion-based role important in sport and leisure (Dashper, 2014)
There were 132 papers included after the abstract check, only 112 of these had the full text available (Figure 1). From these 112 full text publications, 85 studies were excluded from final analysis as they did not meet the final inclusion criteria (Table 1); the excluded studies were 33 reviews, 14 studies of animalassisted therapies, six studies of working equids, 28 experimental or quasi-experimental studies and four studies which did not investigate the horse-human relationship (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

From its first domestication over 6,000 years ago, the horse – Equus ferus caballus – has evolved from its primary role as working animal into additional roles as much-loved and reliable companions (Endenburg et al, 1999). Arksey and O'Malley (2005) described the motivations as to why a scoping review may be performed which included: to investigate the range, extent and type of research activity; to determine the value of performing a full systematic review; to summarise and distribute findings or to identify gaps in the existing literature. The aim of this scoping review is to investigate and categorise the current published literature regarding the nature of the horse-human relationship in horses used for pleasure riding. The horse-human relationship has a significant impact on how horse owners care for and make decisions for their horse.

Methods

Results

Conclusion