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von Borstel, U. |
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Title |
An overview of educational offerings in equine science and -management in Canada |
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Conference Article |
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2008 |
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IESM 2008 |
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Equine science studies, BSc degree, diploma, certificate, University of Guelph |
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Canada has a variety of educational offerings in equine management at the diploma and certificate level offered by universities and colleges, as well as by industry supported centres. However, it was not until 2007 that the first degree-based program in equine science was launched. Offered by the University of Guelph, the Bachelor of Bio- Resource Management – Equine Management program is designed for students who do not intend to pursue post-graduate studies and are strongly focused on securing employment that makes use of the knowledge acquired in their bachelor's degree. The courses in the BSc-program include basic natural sciences as well as equine-specific courses with a focus on management of equine related businesses and events. Diploma and certificate programs usually include only specifically equine-related courses e.g. in anatomy and physiology, health, business, facility management and nutrition. All diploma and certificate programs, and to a slightly lesser extent the BSc program, have a strong focus on applied learning with the intent to provide highly trained workers for the industry. Unique in Canada are the entirely online-taught Diploma in Equine Studies, the Certificate in Equine Business Management and the Equine Science Certificate offered by Equine Guelph and the University of Guelph"s continuing education. Students of these programs have access to a virtual classroom via the internet, and therefore access to instructors and guest speakers from the industry throughout the course. The Canadian certificate programs typically take one year (two semesters), the diploma programs two years (four semesters), while the BSc program takes four years (eight semesters). The BSc program requires approximately 2000 hours of in-class time plus roughly twice the amount spent on assignments and studying, totalling to an overall workload of roughly 6000 hours. Most programs require the completion of Grade 12 or equivalent for admission, and in all programs a background and experience with horses is not required for admission, however it is usually deemed beneficial. Career options for BSc-graduates include barn management, riding instructor or coach, professional rider, judge, steward, course designer, equine-assisted therapy, veterinary assistant, event manager, nutrition consultant, retail sales in tack and equipment, equine sales and marketing, agriculture extension services, college lecturer, consultant and technical advisor, and media relations. Career options for the diploma and certificate program graduates generally include similar areas, with a focus on hands-on work and direct interaction with horses such as employment as grooms, trainers and barn managers. |
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Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Kemptville Campus, Kemptville ON, K0G1J0, Canada |
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von Borstel, U. |
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IESM 2008 |
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Talk 15 min IESM 2008 |
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yes |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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4472 |
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von Borstel, U.; Gauly, M. |
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An overview of the MSc-program in equine science at the University of Göttingen |
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2008 |
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IESM 2008 |
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The MSc-program in Equine Science, initiated in 2006 in response to needs for scientific support of the growing equine sector, is the first of its kind in Germany. It is offered by the Faculty of Agriculture Science, Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics at the University of Göttingen, Germany, however courses are delivered in cooperation with the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover and the German Equestrian Federation (FN). The courses are concerned with the scientific basis of horse breeding, husbandry, nutrition, physiology, behaviour, and health, as well as with aspects of business administration and management of equine facilities and their impact on society, economy and the environment. Courses are delivered in German and – in the case of some guest speakers – English language in form of lectures, laboratories, seminars, group-projects, internships and a combination thereof. Currently, the program is limited to 30 students per year and requirements for admittance are a BSc (or equivalent) degree in animal science or related subjects. However, graduates of programs e.g. in business administration, economics, or veterinary or law schools, are also accepted. The program takes two years (four semesters), and requires the completion of 120 European Credit Transfer System points, i.e. a workload of approximately 3000 hours. This timeframe includes the preparation of a thesis based upon research in topics related to equine science, demonstrating the candidate"s capacity for original and independent work. Further information about the program can be obtained from the official website: http://www.pferde.uni-goettingen.de . Career options for graduates include equine facilities management, consulting services, agriculture extension services, feed industry, agricultural ministry and related civil service, universities and research institutions. |
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Corresponding author: Uta.vonborstel@agr.uni-goettingen.de |
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Gauly, M. |
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IESM 2008 |
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Talk 15 min IESM 2008 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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4497 |
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Krueger, K.; Koenig von Borstel, U. |
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Title |
Grundlagen der Sinneswahrnehmung von Pferden |
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2014 |
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Pferde verstehen – Umgang und Bodenarbeit |
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38 - 54 |
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FN Verlag der deutschen Reiterlichen Vereinigung GmbH |
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Warendorf |
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Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung e.V. |
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978-3-88542-793-3 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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5942 |
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Krueger, K.; Koenig von Borstel, U. |
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Title |
Wie Pferde lernen |
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2014 |
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Pferde verstehen – Umgang und Bodenarbeit |
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56-82 |
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FN Verlag der deutschen Reiterlichen Vereinigung GmbH |
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Warendorf |
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Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung e.V. |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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5943 |
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von Borstel, U.U.; Duncan, I.J.H.; Shoveller, A.K.; Merkies, K.; Keeling, L.J.; Millman, S.T. |
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Impact of riding in a coercively obtained Rollkur posture on welfare and fear of performance horses |
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Journal Article |
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Year |
2009 |
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Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
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Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
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116 |
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2-4 |
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228-236 |
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Horse; Coercive riding; Welfare; Rollkur; Fear; Training |
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Rollkur, the usually coercively obtained hyperflexion of the horse's neck, is employed as a training method by some dressage riders; however, its use is controversial as it may cause discomfort and adversely affect the horse's welfare. The objectives of this study were to determine: (1) if horses showed differences in stress, discomfort and fear responses as measured by heart rate and behaviour when ridden in Rollkur (R) obtained by pressure on the reins compared to regular poll flexion (i.e. with the nose-line being at or just in front of the vertical; N), and (2) if they showed a preference between the two riding styles when given the choice. Fifteen riding horses were ridden 30 times through a Y-maze randomly alternating between sides. Riding through one arm of the Y-maze was always followed by a short round ridden in R, whereas riding through the other arm was followed by a short round ridden in N. Immediately after the conditioning phase, horses were again repeatedly ridden into the maze; however, riders left it to the horse to decide which arm of the maze to enter. During R, horses moved slower and showed more often behavioural signs of discomfort, such as tail-swishing, head-tossing or attempted bucks (P < 0.05), and 14 of the 15 horses chose significantly (P < 0.05) more often the maze-arm associated with N rather than R. Subsequently, eight of the horses were also subjected to two fear tests following a short ride in N as well as a ride in R. During R, horses tended to react stronger (P = 0.092) to the fear stimuli and to take longer (P = 0.087) to approach them. These findings indicate that a coercively obtained Rollkur position may be uncomfortable for horses and that it makes them more fearful and therefore potentially more dangerous to ride. Further studies need to assess horses' reaction to gradual training of Rollkur, as opposed to a coercively obtained hyperflexion, in order to decide whether the practice should be banned. |
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0168-1591 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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5096 |
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König von Borstel, U.; Pasing, S.; Gauly, M. |
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Towards a more objective assessment of equine personality using behavioural and physiological observations from performance test training |
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Journal Article |
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Year |
2011 |
Publication |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
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135 |
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4 |
Pages |
277-285 |
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Keywords |
Horse; Personality; Behaviour; Heart rate variability; Riding; Performance test |
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Current definitions of horse personality traits are rather vague, lacking clear, universally accepted guidelines for evaluation in performance tests. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to screen behavioural and physiological measurements taken during riding for potential links with scores the same horses received in the official stallion performance test for rideability and personality traits. Behaviour, heart rate (HR) and HR variability from thirty-six stallions participating in a performance test were recorded repeatedly during their performance test training. Using the coefficient of determination, regression analysis revealed that about 1/3 of variation (ranging between r = 0.26 (“constitution” (i.e. fitness, health)) and r = 0.46 (rideability)) in the personality trait scores could be explained by selecting the three most influential behaviour patterns per trait. These behaviour patterns included stumbling (with all traits except character), head-tossing (temperament, rideability), tail-swishing (willingness to work), involuntary change in gait (character) and the rider's use of her/his hands (constitution, rideability), voice (temperament) or whip (constitution). Subsequent mixed model analysis revealed a significant (P < 0.05) influence of the behaviour pattern “horse-induced change in gait” on character (-0.98 ± 0.31 scores per additional occurrence of change in gaits), of head-tossing (-0.25 ± 0.08 scores) and rider's use of voice (-0.51 ± 0.25; P = 0.0594) on temperament, and of stumbling on each of the following: willingness to work (-2.5 ± 1.2), constitution (-2.5 ± 1.2 scores; P = 0.0516) and rideability scores (-3.3 ± 1.4). In addition, constitution scores tended (P = 0.0889) to increase with higher low frequency/high frequency heart rate variation ratios (LF/HF), indicating a shift towards sympathetic dominance and thus a higher stress load in horses with higher scores for constitution. Rideability scores from the training phase were also significantly influenced by head-tossing (-0.5 ± 0.1), and in addition rideability scores from the final test were influenced by the training rider, ranging between average estimated rideability scores of 6.8 ± 0.4 for one training rider and 8.36 ± 0.3 scores for another training rider. Horses ridden with their nose-line predominantly behind the vertical received higher scores for rideability (8.3 ± 0.3) than horses ridden with their nose-line at the vertical (7.7 ± 0.2). These findings indicate that either judges perceive horses to have a better rideability when they readily offer a more extreme poll flexion, or that riders make use of horses’ better rideability by imposing a more extreme poll flexion. Several of the above described associations, but also of the non-existing links (e.g. no association between shying or heart rate and temperament) between behaviour patterns and scores for personality traits are rather surprising, warranting further investigation regarding the underlying causes of these relationships. Some of these behaviour patterns should be considered when redesigning the current guidelines for evaluation of personality traits during breeding horse performance tests, ultimately leading to improved genetic selection for equine personality traits. However, ethical implication of defining aversive behaviour such as head-tossing as an indicator of, for example, poor temperament, should not be neglected when devising new guidelines: such aversive behaviour may in fact be an indication of inadequate training techniques rather than poor horse personality. |
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0168-1591 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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5489 |
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Merkies, K.; Isensee, A.; MacGregor, H.; Koenig von Borstel, U.; Tucker, A.; Carson. J.; Bergeron, R. |
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Influence of psychological and physiological arousal in humans on horse heart rate and behaviour |
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Conference Article |
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2012 |
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Proceedings of the 2. International Equine Science Meeting |
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Proc. 2. Int. Equine. Sci. Mtg |
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in press |
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horse-human interaction, heart rate, behaviour, human nervousness |
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The interaction of horses with humans is a dynamic state, but it is not clearly understood how horses perceive humans. Nervousness is transmissible from humans to horses indicated by increased horse heart rate (HR), however no studies have investigated whether horses can differentiate between humans who are physiologicallystressed (eg. after exercising) as opposed to psychologically-stressed (eg. feeling nervous/afraid). Horses (N=10) were randomly subjected to each of four treatments: 1) no human [control], 2) a calm human comfortable around horses [CALM; N=2 humans], 3) a physically-stressed human [PHYS; human exercised to reach 70% of maximum HR; N=2 humans], and 4) a psychologically-stressed human [PSYCH; human who was nervous around horses; N=14 humans]. Humans ranked themselves on a scale of 1-10 for their nervousness around horses. Both humans and horses were equipped with a HR monitor. Behavioural observations of the horses [gait, head position relative to the withers, distance from human, orientation toward human] were recorded live. Horses were allowed to wander loose in a round pen for 5 minutes of baseline recordings, at which time the human subject entered the round pen, stood in the centre and placed a blindfold over his/her eyes. The human remained in the centre of the round pen for an additional 5 minutes. Horse HR during control did not differ from when the human was present in the CALM and PSYCH treatment, and was lower during the PHYS treatment (51a vs 54a vs 55a vs 45b bpm for control, CALM, PSYCH and PHYS respectively; a,b differ p<0.0001). Over the 5 minute test period, horse HR decreased in PHYS and PSYCH (p<0.01) whereas it increased in CALM (p<0.0001). Horse HR decreased with increasing human rank of nervousness around horses (p=0.0156), and horses stood nearer to the human when they faced the human (p<0.0001) regardless of treatment. Horses moved at a faster gait in the control treatment, and their gait was slowest in the PSYCH treatment (p<0.0001), and the horse’s head position was lower in the PHYS and PSYCH treatments compared to CALM or baseline (p< 0.0001). A lower horse head position was positively correlated to a lower horse HR (p<0.0001) and negatively correlated to horse age (p<0.0001). Human HR was affected by treatment, with PHYS having the highest HR (p<0.0001). Human HR increased when the horse was facing away from the human, even though the human was blindfolded (p=0.0395). Overall, horses appear to be influenced by the physiological and psychological state of a human without any direct contact. Horses’ posture does reflect their physiological state. Understanding how horses react to human physiological and psychological states is especially important in equine-assisted activities, where the response of the horse has specific implications for the human participant. |
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Isensee, A. |
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Xenophon Publishing |
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Wald |
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Krueger, K. |
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978-3-9808134-26 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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5545 |
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König von Borstel, U.; Euent, S.; Graf, P.; König, S.; Gauly, M. |
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Equine behaviour and heart rate in temperament tests with or without rider or handler |
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Journal Article |
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2011 |
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Physiology & Behavior |
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Physiol. Behav. |
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104 |
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3 |
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454-463 |
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Equine; Temperament; Human–animal interaction; Horseback riding; Heart rate variability; Reactivity |
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The aim of the present study was to compare horses' heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (RMSSD, pNN50) and behaviour in the same temperament test when being ridden, led, and released free. Behavioural measurements included scores and linear measurements for reactivity (R), activity (A), time to calm down (T) and emotionality (E), recorded during the approach (1) and/or during confrontation with the stimulus (2). Sixty-five horses were each confronted 3 times (1 ridden, 1 led, 1 free running in balanced order) with 3 novel and/or sudden stimuli. Mixed model analysis indicated that leading resulted in the lowest (P < 0.05 throughout) reactions as measured by A1, A2, E1, E2, R2, and pNN50 while riding produced the strongest (A1, T2, HR, RMSSD, pNN50) or medium (E1, E2, R2) reactions. Free running resulted either in the strongest (A2, E1, E2, R2) or in the lowest (A1, T2, HR, RMSSD, pNN50) reactions. The repeatability across tests for HR (0.57), but not for RMSSD (0.23) or pNN50 (0.25) was higher than for any behavioural measurement: the latter ranged from values below 0.10 (A1, A2, T2) to values between 0.30 and 0.45 (E1, E2, R2). Overall, the results show that a rider or handler influences, but not completely masks, the horses' intrinsic behaviour in a temperament test, and this influence appeared to be stronger on behavioural variables and heart rate variability than on the horses' heart rates. Taking both practical considerations and repeatabilities into account, reactivity appears to be the most valuable parameter. Emotionality and heart rate can also yield valid results reflecting additional dimensions of temperament although their practical relevance may be less obvious. If a combination of observed variables is chosen with care, a valid assessment of a horse's temperament may be possible in all types of tests. However, in practice, tests that resemble the practical circumstances most closely, i.e. testing riding horses under a rider, should be chosen. |
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0031-9384 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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5641 |
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von Borstel, U.U.K.; Duncan, I.J.H.; Lundin, M.C.; Keeling, L.J. |
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Fear reactions in trained and untrained horses from dressage and show-jumping breeding lines |
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Journal Article |
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2010 |
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Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
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Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
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125 |
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3–4 |
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124-131 |
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Horse; Fear; Habituation; Riding; Training; Genetic selection |
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Horses’ fear reactions are hazardous to both horses and human beings, but it is not clear whether fear is influenced more by training or by other factors such as genetics. The following study was designed to detect differences between young, untrained (U) and older, well-trained (T) horses of dressage (D), show-jumping (J), and mixed (M) genetic lines with regard to intensity of reaction and ease of habituation to a frightening stimulus. In five consecutive trials, 90 horses were exposed to a standardized fear-eliciting stimulus where intensity and duration of the reactions were recorded. Repeated measures analysis showed that flight reactions by J were less intense (p < 0.05) than those by D or M regardless of training status or age. Habituation to the stimulus over time was not significantly (p > 0.1) different between the disciplines, as indicated by similar slopes for all measurements, but reaction vigour declined faster for T than for U. These findings indicate that there may be a genetic basis for less strong, though not shorter-lasting, fear reactions in J compared to D or M lines of horses. Research including the estimation of genetic correlations between traits related to fearfulness and to performance would be required to verify this assumption. |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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5643 |
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Graf, P.; König von Borstel, U.; Gauly, M. |
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Importance of personality traits in horses to breeders and riders |
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Journal Article |
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2013 |
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Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research |
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8 |
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316-325 |
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survey; personality; temperament; horse; rider; breeder |
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Abstract Especially in horses, personality traits play an important role because horses' behavior influences their quality as a riding partner. In contrast to that, no objective assessment of horses' personality traits is available at present. Although initial efforts are made in this field, a successful implementation of behavior tests into horse performance tests depends on the acceptance of the riders and breeders. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the importance of personality traits to breeders and riders as well as the degree of riders' acceptance of a temperament test as a more objective means of assessing equine personality traits. Using a web-based survey consisting of a 41-item questionnaire, a total of 1087 competition riders (49.3%), breeders (39.0%), leisure riders (37.9%), and professional riders (8.6%) of 13 countries were recruited to participate in the survey. When asked to split 1000 Euro among the different traits listed in the breeding goal, respondents clearly assigned more weight to the personality-related character and temperament traits (least squares mean ± standard error; P < 0.005: €228.7 ± 17.6) and willingness to work (€123.0 ± 9.6) compared with performance traits, such as the quality of trot (€77.7 ± 6.9) or show jumping (€68.0 ± 12.3). Nevertheless, expected differences in relative weighting of traits between the different groups of riders were confirmed (e.g., character and temperament: €209.3 ± 6.1 [leisure riders] vs. €149.7 ± 5.4 [competition riders], P < 0.0001). When asking why personality traits are so important, the simplification of daily work with the horses (47.9%) and relationship between horse and human (44.9%) as well as a more comfortable and safer handling (31.5%) were most commonly listed. As much as 45.6% of all participants see quality problems with the current assessment and suggested the evaluation of all breeding animals (30.1%), followed by a better standardization of assessment procedures (25.5%) and a move to more objective criteria such as the introduction of a temperament test (20.3%) for solving the problems. The present survey revealed that behavior traits are very important to all groups of riders and breeders, although there are diverse opinions about it. According to the participants, there is a need for and a high potential in the move toward more objective assessment methods of horses' personality traits, and participants would support a restructuring of the current assessment. |
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1558-7878 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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5865 |
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