Practical considerations regarding the implementation of a temperament test into horse performance tests: Results of a large-scale test run

Graf, Patricia; Borstel, Uta König von; Gauly, Matthias

doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2014.08.004

Cited by 22 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…There are some studies that assessed the reactivity of horses by using a behavior score, ranging from 0 to 3, with an increasing level of arousal [12,13] and also used different scales to assess horses' behaviors during the temperament test [38]. The difference between those researches and the present study is that they used various types of testing procedures, whereas this study used common handling in a horse farm.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Proposal and Validation of a Scale of Composite Measure Reactivity Score to Characterize the Reactivity in Horses During Handling

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Infante

et al. 2016

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science

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a b s t r a c tThis study aimed to identify the parameters related to the expression of the reactivity in horses during handling and based on that proposed and validated a scale of composite measure reactivity score to characterize horse's reactivity. To this end, the first stage (S1) proposed the scale and the second (S2) validated it. In S1, 364 Lusitano horses were evaluated, 188 were adult breeding mares (4-12 years old), and 176 were foals (males/ females, aged from 2 months to 2 years). During hooves trimming, vermifuge application, palpation scores were assigned to behaviors of movement, ears and eyes position, breathing, vocalization, and urination. A response parameter called reactivity was attributed to each animal, ranging from score 1 (nonreactive/calm) to score 4 (very reactive/ aggressive). The verification of the possible parameters (age, behavior), which explains the response parameter (reactivity), was taken using ordinal proportional odds model. Movement, breathing, ears and eyes position, vocalization, and age appear to explain the reactivity of horses during handling (P < .01). Therefore, based on these parameters, it was possible to propose two scales of composite measure reactivity score: one to characterize the mares and another the foals. On S2, the proposed scale was validated by the simultaneous application of Forced Human Approach Test, another commonly used test to evaluate the reactivity in horses, with a correlation of 0.97 (P < .05). The assessment of the reactivity of horses during handling by a composite measure reactivity score scale is valid, and easy to apply, without disrupting daily routine and override the impact of individual differences.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Proposal and Validation of a Scale of Composite Measure Reactivity Score to Characterize the Reactivity in Horses During Handling

Calviello

Titto

Infante

et al. 2016

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science

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“…However, when horses are primarily intended to be used as leisure horses, behavior-related traits such as character and temperament may have a higher weighting than sport performance [1]. Behavior-related traits play an important role in horses for several reasons [5]. The balanced temperament of a horse infl uences its quality as a riding partner, as well as simplifi es daily work and makes handling more comfortable and safe [6,7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The balanced temperament of a horse infl uences its quality as a riding partner, as well as simplifi es daily work and makes handling more comfortable and safe [6,7]. A horse's fear reactivity is considered to be an important attribute for accident prevention [5]. The horse is a prey species that tends to react with predator avoidance to potential stressful stimuli [8,9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Relationships between Thoroughbreds’ Contribution in the Pedigree and the Level of Fearfulness and Performance in Warmblood Stallions

et al. 2018

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The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that Thoroughbred (TB) ancestors blood percentage in a pedigree is a potential factor differentiating the level of fearfulness (based on behavior and heart rate (HR)) and performance scores in warmblood stallions. A total of 267 three-year-old warmblood stallions were subjected to the novel-object based test during their participation in the performance tests’ program. The effect of ancestors percentage contribution in the pedigree was analyzed by taking into account horses of four TB (<25.01, 25.01-50.00, 50.01-75.00, >75.00%) ancestor groups. It was found that the stallions with a higher proportion (>75.00%) of TB blood revealed higher values of HR measured at the riding hall just before the start of the fearfulness test. The results showed that the higher proportions of TB ancestors blood in the stallions’ pedigree were correlated with the higher values for total time to pass novel objects when led by a handler during the fearfulness test. Negative correlations were found between the TB percentage and the scores for character and trot evaluated by the trainer as well as rideability evaluated by the test rider. The fi ndings imply that a high proportion of Thoroughbreds in the pedigree may negatively infl uence some performance traits and increase fear reactivity in warmblood stallions.

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“…Graf et al (2014) sought to create an objective performance-based temperament test for horses that especially focused on reactivity in horsesda potential safety issue. In a well-explained, well-conducted, complex study, the authors found that there were high correlations between reactivity and other behavioral parameters including activity and time to calm.…”

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confidence: 99%

Measuring stress, safety, and outcomes: Which measures are “good?”

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2014

Journal of Veterinary Behavior

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Practical considerations regarding the implementation of a temperament test into horse performance tests: Results of a large-scale test run

Cited by 22 publications

References 35 publications

Proposal and Validation of a Scale of Composite Measure Reactivity Score to Characterize the Reactivity in Horses During Handling

Proposal and Validation of a Scale of Composite Measure Reactivity Score to Characterize the Reactivity in Horses During Handling

Relationships between Thoroughbreds’ Contribution in the Pedigree and the Level of Fearfulness and Performance in Warmblood Stallions

Measuring stress, safety, and outcomes: Which measures are “good?”

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