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Author Batt, L.S.; Batt, M.S.; Baguley, J.A.; McGreevy, P.D.
Title The relationships between motor lateralization, salivary cortisol concentrations and behavior in dogs Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication (up) Journal of Veterinary Behaviour Abbreviated Journal
Volume 4 Issue 6 Pages 216-222
Keywords Dog; temperament; motor lateralization; cortisol; behavior; cortisol EIA
Abstract The degree of lateralization (LI) indicates both the direction and strength of a paw preference. Here, a positive value is indicative of a right paw bias, and a negative value of a left paw bias. Higher numbers on the positive side of the scale and lower numbers on the negative side of the scale indicate a greater strength of that lateralization. The strength of motor lateralization (|LI|) is the absolute value of the LI. The use of absolute value removes directionality (i.e., does not indicate left or right paw bias) and instead indicates only the strength of the paw preference. Both LI and |LI| have been associated with behavioral differences in a range of species. The assessment of motor lateralization in the dog can be conducted by observing the paw used to perform motor tasks. Elevated cortisol concentrations have been associated with fearfulness in many species. Additionally, fearfulness and boldness can be assessed in response to so-called temperament tests. Consequently, in this study we examine the relationship between lateralization, temperament test results, and cortisol concentrations in 43 potential guide dogs, of which 38 were Labrador retrievers and 5 were golden retrievers. Over a 14-month period, the current study assessed motor lateralization and salivary cortisol concentrations 3 times (approximately 6 months of age, 14 months of age, and after the dogs' performance in the guide dog program had been determined) and behavior twice (approximately 6 and 14 months of age). This study is the first to examine the relationship between behavior, lateralization, and cortisol concentrations in dogs. It implemented an objective and quantifiable assessment of behavior that may be of use to a variety of dog-focused stakeholders. Findings show that during the Juvenile testing period (6 months of age), dogs with higher cortisol concentrations were typically less able to rest when exposed to the unfamiliar testing room. Results from both Juvenile and Adult Test (14 months of age) periods showed that a greater |LI| and LI were associated with more confident and relaxed behavior when dogs were exposed to novel stimuli and unfamiliar environments. Significant elevations of cortisol concentrations were found at the completion of guide dog training when compared with results from the 2 prior test periods. This finding may reflect maturation or the effect of the prolonged kenneling which occurred during this period.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1558-7878 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ S1558-7878(09)00017-3 Serial 5383
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Author Górecka-Bruzda, A.; Chruszczewski, M.H.; Jezierski, T.; Murphy, J.
Title Behaviour-related traits of Polish sport horse stallions participating in 100-day performance tests Type Journal Article
Year Publication (up) Livestock Science Abbreviated Journal Livest Sci
Volume In Press, Corrected Proof Issue Pages
Keywords Horse; 100-day performance tests; Behaviour; Temperament; Factor Analysis
Abstract Sport horse studbooks frequently use performance tests to identify, evaluate and approve stallions for future breeding programmes. The aim of this study was to analyse behaviour-related traits of Polish Warmblood stallions participating in studbook 100-day performance tests. Both relatedness and differences of traits and their contribution to overall variability were analysed. Three-year-old stallions (n = 374) participated in 100-day performance test programmes at two Polish training stations from 2004 to 2008. Traits including character, temperament and trainability (trainer rated), free-jumping, jumping under the rider, walk, trot and canter (independently rated by both trainer and the selection jury) and jumping ability, dressage-ability and rideability (rated by the independent test rider) were subjected to Factor Analysis (FA) with varimax rotation. The FA produced three factors [Cooperation (Cp), Jumping Potential (JP) and Dressage Potential (DP)] with eigenvalues > 1, which accounted for 64.6% of the total variance of the traits examined. After rotation, the factors represented Cp: 23.2.0%, JP: 21.5% and DP: 19.8% of variance respectively. The traits of character, temperament, trainability, jumping under the rider, rideability, dressage and jumping abilities had high loadings on the second factor (Cp) and thereafter, the assessment of all behaviour-related traits contributed to the general evaluation with approximately one-fifth of total variability. The findings may indicate that successful sport careers for any horse may be much more closely associated with willingness to cooperate with the rider and riding and handling behaviour, than to the horse's actual physical performance potential. It would appear that only so-called sport-suitable performance of the horse is being selected for in performance tests (during jumping and dressage suitability testing). This approach may be short-sighted and inadequate with serious implications for horse under-performance in leisure activities notwithstanding general horse welfare within the disciplines of equitation.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1871-1413 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5281
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Author Visser, E.K.; van Reenen, C.G.; van der Werf, J.T.N.; Schilder, M.B.H.; Knaap, J.H.; Barneveld, A.; Blokhuis, H.J.
Title Heart rate and heart rate variability during a novel object test and a handling test in young horses Type Journal Article
Year 2002 Publication (up) Physiology & Behavior Abbreviated Journal Physiol. Behav.
Volume 76 Issue 2 Pages 289-296
Keywords Heart rate; Heart rate variability; Consistency; Behavioral tests; Temperament; Emotionality; Horses
Abstract Forty-one Dutch Warmblood immature horses were used in a study to quantify temperamental traits on the basis of heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) measures. Half of the horses received additional training from the age of 5 months onwards; the other half did not. Horses were tested at 9, 10, 21 and 22 months of age in a novel object and a handling test. During the tests, mean HR and two heart variability indices, e.g. standard deviation of beat-to-beat intervals (SDRR) and root mean square of successive beat-to-beat differences (rMSSD), were calculated and expressed as response values to baseline measures. In both tests, horses showed at all ages a significant increase in mean HR and decrease in HRV measures, which suggests a marked shift of the balance of the autonomic nervous system towards a sympathetic dominance. In the novel object test, this shift was more pronounced in horses that had not been trained. Furthermore, statistical analysis showed that the increase in mean HR could not be entirely explained by the physical activity. The additional increase in HR, the nonmotor HR, was more pronounced in the untrained horses compared to the trained. Hence, it is suggested that this nonmotor HR might be due to the level of emotionality. HR variables showed consistency between years, as well as within the second year. These tests bring about a HR response in horses, part of which may indicate a higher level of emotionality; and horses show individual consistency of these HR variables over ages. Therefore, it is concluded that mean HR and HRV measures used with these tests quantify certain aspects of a horse's temperament.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 320
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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 (up) 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.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0031-9384 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5641
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Author Vidament, M.; Yvon. J.-M.; Roche, H.; Le Bon, H.; Menard, C.; Delfosse, A.; Dubois, C.; Sabot, J.; Lansade, L.
Title Temperament of stallions: relation with age, breed and level of riders Type Conference Article
Year 2012 Publication (up) Proceedings of the 2. International Equine Science Meeting Abbreviated Journal Proc. 2. Int. Equine. Sci. Mtg
Volume in press Issue Pages
Keywords temperament, age, breed, fear, gregarity
Abstract Temperament is an important factor when working with horses. Behavioral tests have been developed to measure certain dimensions in horses. Relations between temperament and ability to riding activity have been highlighted (Lansade 2008a). The aims of this study were 1) to evaluate the effect of age on temperament, 2) to verify that temperament are related to breeds 3) to check if the ease to be ridden is in relation with temperament, on a first set of data. Five dimensions of temperament have been measured in 98 field stallions (Table 1). They were tested as described by Lansade (2008 a,b): fearfulness/curiosity (tests: crossing a novel aera, suddenly opening an umbrella, novel object), gregariousness (test: isolation), locomotor activity (during the other tests), reactivity/curiosity to a non familiar human (tests: passive and active human), tactile (Von Frey filament) and auditory sensitivities. Table 1: Number of stallions according to breed (or group of breeds) and age. Breeds or groups of breeds Young (<13 years) Old (>=13 <20 years) Merens 1 15 10 Leasure horse breeds 2 13 10 Jumping pony breeds 3 / 20 Jumping horse breeds4 9 10 Arabians / 11 Total 37 61 (1) Merens : french mountain horse breed (2) Appaloosa, Barbe, Lusitanian, Polish, Paint (3) French Saddle Pony, Connemara, New Forest, Welsh (4) French Saddle Horse, Anglo-Arab, KWPN, Foreign breeds Effect of age. Due to imbalanced data, only stallions from 3 breed groups were compared (29 young ones selected at random and 30 old ones). Young stallions presented a higher emotivity (more elevated distance/intensity of the flight after umbrella opening (P=0.001)) and curiosity (more sniffings/nibblings the passive human (P=0.04) and the novel object (P<0.0001)) compared to old ones. Relation with breed groups. In young stallions, differences were noted : in the number of trots during social isolation (P=0.001) and in the tactile sensitivity (P=0.005). Merens had smaller values than Jumping horses for these 2 variables. In older stallions, differences were also noted: in the number of sniffings/nibblings the novel object (P=0.04), in the manner to cross the novel aera (P=0.03), in the distance and intensity of the flight after umbrella opening (P=0.04), in the number of trots during isolation (P=0.02) and in the tactile sensitivity (P=0.03). Merens had lower reactivity compared: 1) to Arabians (for novel aera) and 2) compared to Jumping ponies and Jumping horses (for isolation and tactile sensitivity). Minimal level of rider. Stallions of all ages and breeds were divided into 3 groups according to the level of riders able to ride them safely, according to a questionnaire: beginners, intermediate level and pre-national competition level. Stallions adapted to beginners showed lower values in the number of trots during isolation (P=0.02) and in the tactile sensitivity (P=0.03) than stallions rode by pre-competition level riders. Conclusion : The intensity of fear reactions to suddenness decreased with age. Differences between breeds and eases of use have been related to temperament measurements.
Address
Corporate Author Vidament, M. Thesis
Publisher Xenophon Publishing Place of Publication Wald Editor Krueger, K.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 978-3-9808134-26 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5525
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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 (up) 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.]
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0044-5401 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5866
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