Horse Behavior towards Familiar and Unfamiliar Humans: Implications for Equine-Assisted Services.

Lauren Brubaker,Monique A R Udell,Dawn Sherwood,Katy Schroeder,Daniel Stroud

doi:10.3390/ani11082369

Lauren Brubaker, Monique A R Udell + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082369

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Abstract

Simple SummaryResearch on equine-assisted services (EAS) has traditionally focused on human benefits, while relatively little research has focused on the horse’s behavior and welfare. Therefore, this initial study aims to shed light on EAS horses’ behavior towards familiar and unfamiliar humans and how social behaviors might connect to EAS horse selection and retention. The results demonstrate that horses with no prior EAS experience show more interest in approaching familiar and unfamiliar people under certain test conditions compared to horses with more EAS experience. Interestingly, this social behavior did not appear to be linked to whether a horse was chosen for, or remained in, an EAS program. In addition, horse characteristics, such as startling at a new object, did not appear to influence selection and retention for EAS work. These findings indicate that EAS providers may have unique reasons for horse selection, and future research is needed to determine the specific characteristics of successful EAS horses.While human benefits of animal-assisted therapy programs have been documented, relatively little research has been conducted on behavioral factors that predict a successful equine-assisted services (EAS) horse. This study compares the behavior of experienced and non-experienced EAS horses as well as horses selected for future EAS work in a series of sociability and temperament tests. No significant differences were found between experienced and non-experienced horses in the sociability measures or for most of the temperament tests; however, significant differences were found between groups in the brushing test, with non-experienced horses showing more affiliative behaviors towards the familiar handler and unfamiliar persons. No significant differences were found between selected and non-selected horses in the temperament tests. However, non-selected horses were found to show significantly more affiliative behaviors towards a familiar person during a sociability test compared with selected horses. These findings suggest that the social behavior and temperament of EAS horses may not be significantly different from other available horses not selected for EAS work. Instead, these decisions may primarily reflect subjective impressions of fit. Interestingly, on measures where significant differences were identified, the horses not actively engaged in or selected for therapy were the ones that showed greater affiliative responses to familiar and unfamiliar humans. Reasons for why this may be, as well as future directions in EAS selection, are discussed.

Highlights

The inclusion of horses in healthcare, education, and adaptive sports has become increasingly common
One organization, the Professional Association of Therapeutic Riding International (PATH Intl.), reports that an estimated 7900 horses are working at their affiliated centers
Equine-assisted services (EAS) have captured the attention of the research community, with the majority of these empirical studies focused on the efficacy and effectiveness of equine-assisted services (EAS) in human healthcare treatment [2]

Summary

Introduction

The inclusion of horses in healthcare, education, and adaptive sports has become increasingly common. One organization, the Professional Association of Therapeutic Riding International (PATH Intl.), reports that an estimated 7900 horses are working at their affiliated centers. Practitioners who include horses in mental and behavioral healthcare treatments have long argued that therapeutic change is driven by relational components occurring during human–equine interactions [1]. Equine-assisted services (EAS) have captured the attention of the research community, with the majority of these empirical studies focused on the efficacy and effectiveness of EAS in human healthcare treatment [2]. A substantial knowledge gap exists regarding equine characteristics, such as temperament and behavior, that may contribute to, or help predict, a horse’s success and longevity as an assistance animal [3,4]. Data about the health and behavior of horses engaged in EAS is needed to assess and track how participation in such activities may impact horse welfare [4]

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