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| Author | König von Borstel, U.; Euent, S.; Graf, P.; König, S.; Gauly, M. | ||||
| Title | Equine behaviour and heart rate in temperament tests with or without rider or handler | Type | Journal Article | ||
| Year | 2011 | Publication | Physiology & Behavior | Abbreviated Journal | Physiol. Behav. |
| Volume | 104 | Issue | 3 | Pages | 454-463 |
| Keywords | Equine; Temperament; Human–animal interaction; Horseback riding; Heart rate variability; Reactivity | ||||
| Abstract | 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 | ISBN | Medium | ||
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| Notes | Approved | no | |||
| Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 5641 | ||
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| Author | Graf, P.; Schneider, T.; KönigvonBorstel, U.; Gauly M. | ||||
| Title | Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse einer objektivierten Temperamentbeurteilung bei Pferden [Economic evaluation of an objective temperament assessment in horses] | Type | Journal Article | ||
| Year | 2013 | Publication | Züchtungskunde | Abbreviated Journal | |
| Volume | 85 | Issue | 2 | Pages | 129-142 |
| Keywords | Kosten, Nutzen, Interieurbeurteilung, Pferd, Temperament [Economy, personality assessment, horse, temperament] | ||||
| Abstract | Das Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war die Ermittlung der Kosten eines Verhaltenstests zur objektiven Temperamentbeurteilung. Sie wurde an 1028 Pferden auf 55 Zuchtveranstaltungen und Privatbetrieben ermittelt. Weiterhin wurde eine Befragung zur allgemeinen Akzeptanz einer solchen Beurteilung bei Reitpferden durchgeführt. Zusätzlich wurde mit Hilfe einer Online-Umfrage die Meinung zu den Kosten und dem Aufwand einer solchen Beurteilung ermittelt. Die Kosten der Einführung einer objektiven Temperamentbeurteilung entsprechen nach Einbeziehung aller Faktoren ca. 18 Euro je Pferd. Den Kosten steht die Zahlungsbereitschaft für eine verbesserte, da objektivierte Temperamentbeurteilung gegenüber. Insgesamt 56,7% der Befragten wären bereit, mehr als 11 Euro für eine objektive Interieurbeurteilung auf Leistungsprüfungen im Feld zu investieren. Im Rahmen von Stationsprüfungen wären sie sogar bereit mehr als 30 Euro aufzuwenden. Die Wertsteigerung eines im Rahmen des Verfahrens positiv bewerteten Pferdes um 5%, die von den Teilnehmern der Umfrage durchschnittlich angenommen wird, würde zusätzlich den Gewinn beim Pferdeverkauf steigern. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Kosten einer objektiven Temperamentbeurteilung durch eine erhöhte Zahlungsbereitschaft der Käufer scheinbar kompensiert werden können, so dass die Einführung eines Temperamenttests zur objektiven Interieurbeurteilung in Form der vorgestellten Untersuchungen grundsätzlich finanzierbar ist. [The aim of the present study was to assess costs as well as riders’ acceptance of an objective temperament evaluation in riding horses. Costs were determined based on a novel object test conducted in 1028 horses tested on 65 occasions during performance tests or in private stables. In addition, an online survey was used to identify riders’ opinion about the costs and benefits of such an assessment. Based on the conditions assumed in the present study the costs for temperament testing have amount 18 Euro per horse. More than 50% of the respondents were willing to pay more than 11 Euro for an objective temperament assessment in their horses during performance tests in field. Within performance tests on station they would spend more than 30 Euro for an objective temperament assessment. Participants further assumed a rise in value of favourably assessed horses by 5%, leading to increased profits when selling the horse. In conclusion, riders appear to be willing to cover the additional costs accrued from the temperament test. Therefore, the introduction of an objective temperament assessment is likely to pay off.] |
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0044-5401 | ISBN | Medium | ||
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| Notes | Approved | no | |||
| Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 5866 | ||
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| Author | Fox, N.A. | ||||
| Title | Temperament and early experience form social behavior | Type | Journal Article | ||
| Year | 2004 | Publication | Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences | Abbreviated Journal | Ann N Y Acad Sci |
| Volume | 1038 | Issue | Pages | 171-178 | |
| Keywords | Adult; Animals; Child; Child Behavior Disorders/physiopathology; Fear/physiology; Humans; Individuality; Infant; Learning/*physiology; *Personality Development; *Social Behavior; Temperament/*physiology | ||||
| Abstract | Individual differences in the way persons respond to stimulation can have important consequences for their ability to learn and their choice of vocation. Temperament is the study of such individual differences, being thought of as the behavioral style of an individual. Common to all approaches in the study of temperament are the notions that it can be identified in infancy, is fairly stable across development, and influences adult personality. We have identified a specific temperament type in infancy that involves heightened distress to novel and unfamiliar stimuli. Infants who exhibit this temperament are likely, as they get older, to display behavioral inhibition-wariness and heightened vigilance of the unfamiliar-particularly in social situations. Our work has also described the underlying biology of this temperament and has linked it to neural systems supporting fear responses in animals. Children displaying behavioral inhibition are at-risk for behavioral problems related to anxiety and social withdrawal. | ||||
| Address | Institute for Child Study, Department of Human Development, University of Maryland, 3304 Benjamin Building, College Park, MD 20742-1131, USA. nf4@umail.umd.edu | ||||
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| Language | English | Summary Language | Original Title | ||
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0077-8923 | ISBN | Medium | ||
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| Notes | PMID:15838111 | Approved | no | ||
| Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 4131 | ||
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| Author | Kalin, N.H.; Shelton, S.E. | ||||
| Title | Nonhuman primate models to study anxiety, emotion regulation, and psychopathology | Type | Journal Article | ||
| Year | 2003 | Publication | Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences | Abbreviated Journal | Ann N Y Acad Sci |
| Volume | 1008 | Issue | Pages | 189-200 | |
| Keywords | Affect/*physiology; Amygdala/blood supply; Animals; Anxiety/genetics/*psychology; Brain/*blood supply; Brain Stem/blood supply; Carrier Proteins/genetics; Electroencephalography; *Inhibition (Psychology); Macaca mulatta; Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics; *Membrane Transport Proteins; *Nerve Tissue Proteins; Prefrontal Cortex/blood supply; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; Social Environment; Temperament; Tomography, Emission-Computed | ||||
| Abstract | This paper demonstrates that the rhesus monkey provides an excellent model to study mechanisms underlying human anxiety and fear and emotion regulation. In previous studies with rhesus monkeys, stable, brain, endocrine, and behavioral characteristics related to individual differences in anxiety were found. It was suggested that, when extreme, these features characterize an anxious endophenotype and that these findings in the monkey are particularly relevant to understanding adaptive and maladaptive anxiety responses in humans. The monkey model is also relevant to understanding the development of human psychopathology. For example, children with extremely inhibited temperament are at increased risk to develop anxiety disorders, and these children have behavioral and biological alterations that are similar to those described in the monkey anxious endophenotype. It is likely that different aspects of the anxious endophenotype are mediated by the interactions of limbic, brain stem, and cortical regions. To understand the brain mechanisms underlying adaptive anxiety responses and their physiological concomitants, a series of studies in monkeys lesioning components of the neural circuitry (amygdala, central nucleus of the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex) hypothesized to play a role are currently being performed. Initial findings suggest that the central nucleus of the amygdala modulates the expression of behavioral inhibition, a key feature of the endophenotype. In preliminary FDG positron emission tomography (PET) studies, functional linkages were established between the amygdala and prefrontal cortical regions that are associated with the activation of anxiety. | ||||
| Address | Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School, 6001 Research Park Boulevard, Madison, WI 53711, USA. nkalin@facstaff.wisc.edu | ||||
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| Language | English | Summary Language | Original Title | ||
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0077-8923 | ISBN | Medium | ||
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| Notes | PMID:14998885 | Approved | no | ||
| Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 4133 | ||
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| Author | Lansade, L.; Bouissou, M.-F. | ||||
| Title | Reactivity to humans: A temperament trait of horses which is stable across time and situations | Type | Journal Article | ||
| Year | 2008 | Publication | Applied Animal Behaviour Science | Abbreviated Journal | Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
| Volume | 114 | Issue | 3-4 | Pages | 492-508 |
| Keywords | Horse; Equus caballus; Reactivity to humans; Temperament trait; Personality; Behavioural consistency | ||||
| Abstract | The aim of this study was to test the existence of a “reactivity-to-humans” trait which is stable over time and across situations. For this purpose, four test situations were repeated on the same animals at 8 months, 1.5 years (N = 110 horses) and 2.5 years of age (N = 54 horses). These situations involved a “familiar passive human test” during which a familiar person stayed motionless in the test pen, a “familiar active human test” and an “unfamiliar active human test” during which a familiar or unfamiliar person attempted to touch the horse, and a “halter-fitting and heart-rate measurement test”, during which the horse was haltered and equipped with a surcingle and then had its heart-rate measured. Many behavioural variables were recorded during the tests, and correlations between ages and variables measured during other situations were investigated. When correlations were found, we concluded that the variables corresponded to temperament traits which are stable over time and across situations. The horses tested were divided into four groups according to breed (Anglo-Arab and Welsh) and year of birth (2001 and 2002). Data for each group were analysed separately with Spearman rank correlations. Regarding stability over time, there was a strong correlation between ages in the frequency of licking/nibbling the passive human, the time taken by a familiar or unfamiliar person to touch the horse, and the time taken to fit a halter (e.g. the time taken to touch the horse's muzzle was significantly correlated between ages in 7 out of the 8 possible cases: 0.40 <= R <= 0.67). Regarding stability across situations, results indicate that the more frequently a horse sniffed, licked or nibbled a passive human, the easier it was for either a familiar or unfamiliar active human to touch and halter it. Moreover, a horse which could be touched easily by a familiar human could also be touched and haltered easily by an unfamiliar human. These behaviours, which are linked directly to humans, therefore indicate good stability over time and across situations. In conclusion, this stability suggests the existence of a “reactivity-to-humans” temperament trait, whether the human is passive or active, familiar or unfamiliar. When the animals do not have frequent contact with humans, this reactivity is stable over time and can be measured as early as 8 months of age using the behavioural variables cited above. | ||||
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| ISSN |
0168-1591 | ISBN | Medium | ||
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| Notes | Approved | no | |||
| Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 4710 | ||
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| Author | Lansade, L.; Pichard, G.; Leconte, M. | ||||
| Title | Sensory sensitivities: Components of a horse's temperament dimension | Type | Journal Article | ||
| Year | 2008 | Publication | Applied Animal Behaviour Science | Abbreviated Journal | Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
| Volume | 114 | Issue | 3-4 | Pages | 534-553 |
| Keywords | Horse; Equus caballus; Temperament; Sensory sensitivity; Behavioural tests | ||||
| Abstract | Temperament is an important factor when working with horses. Behavioural tests have already been developed to measure certain dimensions of a horse's temperament (fearfulness, gregariousness, etc.). In order to measure the temperament more precisely, our work aimed to identify a dimension which has already been described in several species but not yet in horses, namely sensory sensitivity. Our study was based on the definition of a temperament dimension as “a behavioural characteristic stable across situations and over time”. We designed several tests for each sense and then determined whether the responses observed were correlated between situations and in time. The principle of the tests was to generate two stimuli of different intensities for each sense (e.g. two different sounds) and to measure the intensity of the horse's response (N = 26). Using Spearman rank correlations, we tested whether the responses to these different stimuli were inter-correlated. We repeated the same tests 5 months later to determine whether the responses were correlated over time. Within each sense, results show that the greater the horses' response to one stimulus, the greater their response to the other. For example, the reaction to the odour of cinnamon (time spent near the source of the odour) was significantly correlated to the reaction to lavender (R = 0.53, p = 0.004). The reactions to two different sounds or to two different tactile stimuli (von Frey filaments, or contact of a brush on the body), were also significantly correlated (R = 0.59, p < 0.0001; R = 0.38, p = 0.029). Finally, the reactions to two different tastes or to two visual stimuli tended to be correlated (R = 0.27, p = 0.09; R = 0.27, p = 0.09). However, there was no significant correlation between the responses to stimuli relating to different senses. Finally, except for the responses to odour, the responses to other sensory stimuli showed stability over a 5-month period (e.g. tactile stimulation: R = 0.71, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, our study revealed characteristics which were stable across situations and over time. The absence of links between the characteristics measured for the different senses suggests that a dimension for each sense exists (e.g. tactile sensitivity) rather than a general sensory sensitivity dimension covering all the senses. | ||||
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| ISSN |
0168-1591 | ISBN | Medium | ||
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| Notes | Approved | no | |||
| Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 4779 | ||
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| Author | Anderson, M.K.; Friend, T.H.; Evans, J.W.; Bushong, D.M. | ||||
| Title | Behavioral assessment of horses in therapeutic riding programs | Type | Journal Article | ||
| Year | 1999 | Publication | Applied Animal Behaviour Science | Abbreviated Journal | Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
| Volume | 63 | Issue | 1 | Pages | 11-24 |
| Keywords | Horses; Therapeutic riding; Temperament; Cortisol; Catecholamines | ||||
| Abstract | A behavioral assessment of horses who were being used and not used in therapeutic riding programs was conducted to help determine useful methods of selecting horses for use in therapeutic riding programs. A total of 103 horses (76 horses from five therapeutic riding centers and 27 non-therapeutic riding horses from four sites) were used. Temperament survey for each horse were completed by three riding instructors at each therapeutic riding center or by the individual most knowledgeable about the horse at the other sites. Twenty personality traits from the survey were used to quantify temperament. Concentrations of plasma cortisol, norepinephrine and epinephrine were also measured in each horse. A reactivity test was then conducted which involved introducing three novel stimuli: a walking and vocalizing toy pig placed on a cardboard surface in front of the horse for 20 s; popping a balloon near the horse's flank area; and suddenly opening an umbrella and holding it open in front of the horse for 20 s. Reactions (expressions, vocalizations and movement) to each of the stimuli were scored and used to calculate an average reactivity score for each horse. The therapeutic riding instructors did not often agree on the temperament of their center's horses. The personality trait ratings made by the therapeutic riding instructors at each center were on average significantly correlated (P<0.01, r>0.52) for only 37.8% of the horses for any two instructors and 7.8% for three instructors. No significant correlations were found between temperament, reactivity, and the hormone concentrations (r<0.19), but regression analysis indicated a possibility of predicting temperament from the reactivity score and hormone concentrations (P<0.08). There was also a tendency for relationships between extremes in temperament (desirable vs. undesirable) and the hormone concentrations (P<0.09), and between extremes in reactivity (low vs. high) and the hormone concentrations (P=0.08). The difference in ratings among riding instructors indicates a need for more collaboration between instructors when evaluating horse temperament. This study also indicates that it was very difficult to objectively determine the suitability of horses for therapeutic riding programs regarding their temperament and reactivity, probably because other traits (e.g., smoothness of gait) are also considered very important. | ||||
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0168-1591 | ISBN | Medium | ||
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| Notes | Approved | no | |||
| Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 4812 | ||
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| Author | Momozawa, Y.; Kusunose, R.; Kikusui, T.; Takeuchi, Y.; Mori, Y. | ||||
| Title | Assessment of equine temperament questionnaire by comparing factor structure between two separate surveys | Type | Journal Article | ||
| Year | 2005 | Publication | Applied Animal Behaviour Science | Abbreviated Journal | Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
| Volume | 92 | Issue | 1-2 | Pages | 77-84 |
| Keywords | Anxiety; Factor analysis; Horses; Questionnaires; Temperament | ||||
| Abstract | To establish a method for assessing equine temperament by use of a questionnaire, we carried out two surveys. The subject animals were all thoroughbreds maintained at the same farm. Respondents were the primary caretaker and two colleagues working with each horse. Factor analysis was performed on the responses to each survey. In both surveys, five factors were extracted and four of them were common between the two surveys. The common factors were [`]Anxiety', [`]Trainability', [`]Affability', and [`]Gate entrance'. There were sufficient internal consistencies in responses about [`]Anxiety', [`]Trainability', and [`]Affability' in the two surveys to indicate the validity of this questionnaire in evaluating these factors in equine temperament. | ||||
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0168-1591 | ISBN | Medium | ||
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| Notes | Approved | no | |||
| Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 5063 | ||
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| Author | Lansade, L.; Simon, F. | ||||
| Title | Horses' learning performances are under the influence of several temperamental dimensions | Type | Journal Article | ||
| Year | 2010 | Publication | Applied Animal Behaviour Science | Abbreviated Journal | Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
| Volume | 125 | Issue | 1-2 | Pages | 30-37 |
| Keywords | Avoidance task; Equus caballus; Fearfulness; Learning; Personality; Temperament | ||||
| Abstract | Learning performances are influenced by many factors, not only breed, age and sex, but also temperament. The purpose of this study was to understand how different temperamental dimensions affect the learning performance of horses, Equus caballus. First, we carried out a series of behavioural tests on 36 Welsh ponies aged 5-7 years to measure five temperamental dimensions: fearfulness (novel area test and surprise test), gregariousness (social isolation test), reactivity to humans (passive human test), tactile sensitivity (von Frey filament test) and activity level (evaluation of locomotor activity during all the tests). We then presented them with two learning tasks (avoidance and backwards-forwards tasks). In the avoidance task they had to learn to jump over a fence when they heard a sound associated with an aversive stimulus (puff of air). In the backwards-forwards task they had to walk forwards or move backwards in response to a tactile or vocal command to obtain a food reward. There was no correlation between performances on the two learning tasks, indicating that learning ability is task-dependent. However, correlations were found between temperamental data and learning performance (Spearman correlations). The ponies that performed the avoidance task best were the most fearful and the most active ones. For instance, the number of trials required to perform 5 consecutive correct responses (learning criterion) was correlated with the variables aimed at measuring fearfulness (way of crossing a novel area: rs = -0.41, P = 0.01 and time to start eating again after a surprise effect: rs = -0.33, P = 0.05) and activity level (frequency of trotting during all the tests: rs = -0.40, P = 0.02). The animals that performed the backwards-forwards task best were the ones that were the least fearful and the most sensitive. For instance, the learning criterion (corresponding to the number of trials taken to achieve five consecutive correct responses) was correlated with the variables aimed at measuring fearfulness (latency to put one foot on the area: rs = 0.43, P = 0.01; way of crossing a novel area: rs = 0.31, P = 0.06; and time to start eating again after a surprise effect: rs = 0.43, P = 0.009) and tactile sensitivity (response to von Frey filaments: rs = -0.44, P = 0.008). This study revealed significant links between temperament and learning abilities that are highly task-dependent. | ||||
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0168-1591 | ISBN | Medium | ||
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| Notes | Approved | no | |||
| Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 5077 | ||
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| Author | Nagy, K.; Bodó, G.; Bárdos, G.; Bánszky, N.; Kabai, P. | ||||
| Title | Differences in temperament traits between crib-biting and control horses | Type | Journal Article | ||
| Year | 2010 | Publication | Applied Animal Behaviour Science | Abbreviated Journal | Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
| Volume | 122 | Issue | 1 | Pages | 41-47 |
| Keywords | Crib-biting; Stereotypic behaviour; Equine temperament; Trainability; Coping strategies | ||||
| Abstract | Recent studies have suggested that crib-biting in horses is associated with diminished capacity of learning or coping with stress. Such findings raise the question whether trainability, which is fundamentally important in practice, could also be affected by stereotypic behaviour. Trainability of a horse is difficult to assess in simple tests, however, it is reliably estimated by experienced riders. To assess trainability and other characteristics related to that, a questionnaire survey was conducted with the owners of 50 crib-biting and 50 control horses. Where possible, control horses were selected from the same establishment as crib-biters. Groups did not differ significantly regarding age, breed, gender, training level or usage. Principal component analysis revealed three main factors which can be labelled as [`]Anxiety', [`]Affability' and [`]Trainability'. The [`]Anxiety' factor consisted of the items [`]Nervousness', [`]Excitability', [`]Panic', [`]Inconsistent emotionality', [`]Vigilance', [`]Skittishness', and [`]Timidity'. [`]Affability' consisted of [`]Friendliness toward people', [`]Cooperation', [`]Docility' and [`]Friendliness toward horses'. [`]Trainability' involved [`]Concentration', [`]Trainability', [`]Memory', and [`]Perseverance'. Temperament traits were not affected by age, gender, breed or training level, but the usage of the horse and the presence of crib-biting behaviour had significant effects. Competition horses had lower level of [`]Anxiety' (p = 0.032) and higher level of [`]Trainability' (p = 0.068) than leisure horses. Crib-biting horses had significantly lower level of [`]Anxiety' than control horses (p < 0.001), while [`]Trainability' and [`]Affability' did not differ between groups (p = 0.823 and p = 0.543, respectively). Competition horses are more often exposed to novel environment and to frightening stimuli (e.g. colourful obstacles) than leisure horses and therefore might have also become more habituated to these types of stimuli. Coping with novel situation may be enhanced by defusing nervous behaviour by the more experienced riders of competition. Previous studies indicated crib-biting horses to be less reactive when challenged as compared to control horses. We suggest that the virtual calmness and lower nervousness of the crib-biting horses might be due to the passive coping style of these animals. [`]Affability' of horses might be more related to housing and management conditions than to crib-biting. Contrary to expectations, scores on [`]Trainability' had not coincided with the impaired learning of crib-biting horses reported in laboratory tests. However, previous behavioural tests on equine learning rarely had a direct relevance to the training abilities of the horses. Our results do not support crib-biting stereotypy to affect performance in training, which is a complex learning process involving cooperation and docility in the social environment. | ||||
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0168-1591 | ISBN | Medium | ||
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| Notes | Approved | no | |||
| Call Number | Equine Behaviour @ team @ | Serial | 5078 | ||
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