UŻYTKOWANIE I UTRZYMYWANIE KONI W ASPEKCIE NATURALNYCH METOD TRENINGOWYCH

Abstract

As a result of evolution, humanity transitioned from a nomadic to a sedentary way of life, from hunting and gathering to crop production and animal husbandry. Domestication involved capturing wild horses and adapting them to the conditions in which they were raised by humans. This resulted in a change in the treatment of horses and the perception of their emotional needs. The focus shifted to building relationships with the horse, understanding it, and treating it as a rational being. Currently, horses are seen as one of the most intelligent animals ‘cooperating’ with people. In this study, 62 horses at four equestrian centres were examined. The horses included mares, stallions and geldings between the ages of 3 and 26 years, belonging to eight breeds: Arabian, Malopolski, Hucul, Polish Half-Bred, Silesian, Polish Coldblood, Shetland pony, and Haflinger. The analysis of forms of horse training indicated that all centres used classical training methods for 100% of their horses. The trainers declared interest in natural methods, but as support for classical training. Natural methods of working with horses were applied at centres 2 and 3, where horses were ridden both for recreation and for sport. This type of training was not observed at centre 1, where horses were used only for recreational riding, or at centre 4, which dealt mainly in breeding and training of race horses. Horses at centre 3 and most of those at centre 2 took part in in Parelli’s Seven Games, Join-Up, and desensitization to unknown objects, and imprinting of foals was practiced. This indicates that horse trainers are currently applying natural methods, but are not completely giving up classical training. A study was carried out to investigate the approach of contemporary horse breeders to forms of housing and use with respect to their interest in foal imprinting, natural horsemanship, Join-Up, and desensitization to unknown objects.