Use of biobehavioral responses during a novel object test to assess suitability of horses for equine assisted services
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Date
2023-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Horses by nature are highly sensitive animals and quick to react to their environment. These behavioral characteristics are highly valued in the context of equine assisted services (EAS); however, their responses to unfamiliar stimuli can have important consequences for horse and human safety. To date, there are no standardized guidelines for the selection of equine used in EAS. General observation of horse behavior by equine professionals has historically been used to assess the potential suitability of equine participants but can often be challenging to objectively measure. Novel object (NO) tests are often used as a tool to measure reactivity in many species, including equine. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess biobehavioral responses of 10 Quarter Horse mares (11.6 ± 4.9 yr) during a NO test as a potential measure of their suitability for participation in groundwork-based EAS. The experiment consisted of three 5 min periods: Pre-NO test (P1), NO test (P2), and Post-NO test (P3). Heart rate (HR) was recorded using a Polar H10 Equine HR monitor. Behavior was video recorded and scan sampling of video footage every 10 sec was used to determine counts. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS v 9.4. Horse HR decreased with time within all three periods (p < 0.01). During the NO test, locomotion increased with increasing proximity to the NO (p < 0.05). Standing alert and exploratory behaviors decreased during the NO test but were not influenced by the horse's location (p < 0.03). Interestingly, eating behaviors increased during and after the NO test compared to the pre-NO test period (p < 0.01). This study illustrates that behavioral and physiological responses of horses are influenced by their individuality and environment which may ultimately influence their interactions during EAS. The reduction in HR over time within each period suggests that the horses utilized in this study quickly acclimate to changes in their environment. Future studies with different horse populations are recommended to further evaluate the response to NO tests as method to assess suitability of horses for EAS.
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Keywords
Novel object, Equine Assisted Services