Does horse temperament influence horse-rider cooperation?

Area of Science:

• Equitation science
• Animal behavior
• Human-animal interaction

Background:

• Cooperation between horse and rider is crucial for optimal performance and welfare in equitation.
• Factors influencing cooperation include rider attributes (skills, knowledge, personality) and horse characteristics (temperament, experience, abilities).
• Understanding these dynamics can reduce stress, frustration, and injury risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of rider personality and horse temperament on the cooperation between riders and horses.
• To determine how horse behavior and rider perception influence the rider-horse relationship.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 16 riders and 16 warm-blood horses.
• Assessment of rider personality and horse temperament.
• Observation and rider-reported assessment of evasive behaviors during riding.

Main Results:

• More emotionally reactive horses exhibited increased evasive behaviors.
• Riders preferred horses perceived as more attentive to their aids.
• The frequency of evasive behaviors, as reported by riders, significantly influenced cooperation.
• Rider personality did not significantly affect cooperation on average, but may play a role with highly reactive horses.

Conclusions:

• Horse temperament, particularly emotional reactivity, directly impacts cooperation through evasive behaviors.
• Rider perception of horse attentiveness is a key factor in preference and cooperation.
• While rider personality showed limited direct impact, its influence may be more pronounced with specific horse temperaments.