Researchers share their latest discoveries about equine stress, welfare, and training The Science Behind horsemanship DUSTY PERIN

Alexandra Beckstett

ou ride your with a , but does it actually have the effect you intend it to? You use a twitch to restrain him dur- REPORT SPONSORED BY ing unpleasant procedures, but does it help or hurt? These are the types of questions equitation scientists have been trying to answer forY more than a decade. They’ve been putting research behind the ways we train, house, and handle our to ensure better overall welfare.

We traveled to Vancouver, British Columbia, this past August to attend the 11th annual International Society of Equitation Science conference, and we came away with a wealth of new knowledge about horses’ learning methods, indicators of stress, and responses to various equipment. Read on for some of our favorite take-home messages, and head to TheHorse. com/HorsemanshipScience­ for the full stories. SPONSORED BY

call negative or removal reinforcement,” Pearson explained. “So if a vet raises the horse’s vein to inject it, the horse jerks its head back, and the vet re- moves his or her hand, the horse is more horsemanship likely to offer that behavior when the vet raises the vein again. The horse will jerk his head back faster and further and then might begin to rear. “If, instead, the vet puts their hand somewhere on the neck and then removes the hand when the horse stands still, the vet quickly trains the horse (through re-

a lex ndr b eckstett moval reinforcement) to stand calm and Applying learning theory techniques, such as positive and negative reinforcement, might make horse relaxed while being injected.” handling safer for veterinarians. The low percentage indicating they found learning theory techniques useful Learning Theory and Vet Injury Risk ■ Chifney —a circular steel tool used might be partly due to a lack of under- What jobs do you consider to unruly horses (57%) standing of these methods, said Pearson. dangerous—Firefighting?­ Construction ■ (49%) From the same pool of respondents, work? Law enforcement? How about ■ Holding up a forelimb (47%) 45.5% said they had never been taught horse health care? ■ Food distraction (40%) equine learning theory. However, 44% In a recent survey (TheHorse. ■ Positive reinforcement (20%) believed they had moderate knowledge com/34544) on occupational injuries in ■ Overshadowing, a concept based on about how horses learn and could apply the United Kingdom, equine veterinarians distracting horses from what they’re that in their practice. To test this knowl- came out on top ... and not in a good way. afraid of by having them concentrate edge, Pearson gave each practitioner a The results showed that this profession is on a different task (8%) scenario and asked him or her to describe more dangerous than any other civilian ■ Negative reinforcement (7%) the learning theory term being applied. occupation in the U.K. Interestingly, the learning theory For instance, releasing pressure as soon as “The average veterinarian will sus- techniques (such as positive and negative a horse responds by entering the stocks is tain seven or eight work-related injuries reinforcement) that veterinarians found an example of negative reinforcement. throughout their career that will impede least useful are the very methods that Based on the responses, veterinarians’ them from practicing,” said Gemma might make horse handling safer. actual familiarity with learning theory Pearson, BVMS, MRCVS, a senior clinical “Horses learn primarily through re- terms was much lower than they claimed. training scholar in equine practice at the moval of pressure. This is something we “Equine veterinarians (in the survey University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) population) have a poor knowledge of School of Veterinary Studies, in Scotland. equine learning theory, which might com- To get a better idea of the work risks promise their ability to work safely and ef- equine veterinarians face and how to fectively with their patients and correlate mitigate them, Pearson surveyed 168 with a high injury prevalence,” she said. practitioners. Eighty-one percent of them She suggested integrating equine learn- said they had sustained at least one injury ing theory into veterinary school courses from a patient in the past five years, and to help students understand how to in- 67% said they put themselves in poten- corporate it into their future practice and tially dangerous situations either daily or work with difficult horses in safer ways. a few times a week. As for working with difficult horses, Understanding the Nose Twitch 63% of the respondents said they did Before clipping a horse’s ears or admin- so daily or weekly, and 95% said daily, istering an injection, some equestrians weekly, or monthly. Pearson also surveyed reach for the nose twitch without a sec- practitioners about restraint methods ond thought. Others, however, believe this they use with noncompliant horses and restraint method is harmful to the horse. how effective they view them. These To better understand how twitching included: Gutwein telyn influences horses, Ahmed Ali, BVSc, MS, ■ Sedation (99% of veterinarians found of Michigan State University’s (MSU) this method to be at least fairly useful) Department of Animal Sciences, as well C ourtesy Ka ■ Nose twitch (74%) The pain-relieving effects of twitching likely as Cairo University’s Animal Management ■ Neck twitch (69%) mimic those of acupuncture. and Behaviour Faculty of Veterinary The Science Behind horsemanship SPONSORED BY

Medicine, in Egypt, compared horses’ be- ­tension. Riders with vision problems haviors and heart rate with and without had significantly greater tension twitch application. Research team mem- than riders with Down syndrome, emo- ber Camie Heleski, PhD, animal behavior tional disabilities, learning disabilities, and welfare instructor at MSU, presented autism, and weakness on one side, in the results on his behalf. that order. Parker theorized that riders In their study, Ali and colleagues per- with impaired vision might be more formed an aversive procedure—clipping rein-dependent than other riders. the hair on the inside of a horse’s ear—in Many other variables can affect rein eight Arabian horses that had never had tension, as well. But any significant rein their ears clipped or been twitched. The tension can impact equine welfare. horses were randomly assigned to be “Rein tension can be a welfare concern clipped with or without a twitch, followed for the horse due to discomfort and pain by the alternate treatment, followed by a that may result and, consequently, the

second ear clipping while twitched. The a rker occurrence of clinical and behavioral team recorded each horse’s behaviors, problems,” Parker said. heart rates, heart rate variability (slight She noted that more research into the rate changes from beat to beat), and the influence of rein attachment and dis-

time it took to clip the ears. courtesy kirstie p ability on rein tension is needed. Riding The untwitched horses had the highest Using a rein tension gauge, researchers found centers could then avoid using rein types heart rates and lowest heart rate variabil- that riders with impaired vision had significantly that cause more tension and be aware ity (both indicators of stress) and showed greater rein tension. of rider conditions that could result in the most behavioral indications of aver- higher rein tension. sion (e.g., vigorous head movements). A Look at Rein Tension During Their clipping procedures also lasted the ­Therapeutic Riding Lessons Stress in Therapy Horses longest. The benefits of horseback riding for It takes a special type of animal to suc- The twitched horses actually displayed people with mental or physical dis- ceed as a therapeutic riding horse. These reduced behavior issues and heart rates, abilities are well-documented. But what horses must at the very least be well-­ indicating less distress, upon the second effects does therapeutic riding have on mannered, quiet, sound, and forgiving—­ exposure to the twitch, even nearing the horse? and many possess a variety of other baseline measurements, said Heleski. Because a rider impacts a horse in desirable traits, as well. Not all horses “You would assume if the twitch was many different ways, Kirstie Parker, BSc that seemingly fit this profile, however, painful, they’d be averse to it the second (Hons) Equitation Science, from Duchy can withstand the stress associated with time,” she explained. “But heart rate and College in the U.K., investigated just carrying riders that have mental and/or reactions actually decreased.” one as it pertains to therapeutic riding physical disabilities. horses—rein tension. As part of a larger effort to increase In her study she used a Centaur Rein therapy horse retention, Robin Foster, Tension gauge attached to the bit, nose- PhD, Cert. AAB, IAABC Certified Horse band, or D ring (the were at- Behavior Consultant and research profes- 1/3 of therapy tached to different parts of the head piece sor at the University of Puget Sound and horses’ stress behaviors in different cases). She recorded rein ten- affiliate professor at the University of sion in 15 horse and rider combinations Washington, studied stress-related behav- were triggered by rider from two registered therapeutic riding iors in a population of these horses. centers, while riders were led at the walk “Occupational demands can cre- behavior for up to 30 minutes. Parker found that: ate stress and discomfort that impair a ■ Rein tension was significantly higher horse’s performance, diminish the ben- in webbed reins than in rope reins. efits of therapy, and create safety risks to Leather reins had the least amount of vulnerable riders,” Foster said. Based on previous study results, the tension. In her study she focused on one authors said twitching probably resem- ■ Rein tension was significantly greater Professional Association of Therapeutic bles acupuncture in its effects and has in the right rein than the left. Horsemanship International Premier analgesic (pain-relieving) results. ■ Where the reins attached to the bridle Accredited center where, in 2013, 50% of “We believe that nose twitches, when or halter had a significant effect on rein the horses were released from work due properly applied, should be considered a tension; tensions were greater when to behavior issues. From January through viable, humane restraint for short usage the reins attached to the bit than to the July 2014, she evaluated stress and situations,” they said, cautioning that and greater when attached to avoidance behaviors of 21 horses during their results are not intended to encour- the noseband than to the D ring. mounting and 120 hours of therapeutic age twitch use in place of proper training. ■ The rider’s disability impacted rein riding classes. She found that: Loading can trigger a lot more than fear.

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■ Low-intensity behaviors, such as tail- swishing and ear pinning, accounted for Rider Handedness Affects Rein Tension 46.5% of the stress-related­ behaviors.­ ■ 25.5% of the recorded behaviors were Instructors have long preached riding with symmetry and balance. But as symmetrical as “avoidant-resistant” behaviors, such as you might feel in the , the very fact you have a dominant hand could be offsetting it. sluggish, rushed, or improper respons- Jenni Douglas, MSc, visiting associate principal lecturer in higher education equine, at es to requests for changes in speed or Hartpury College, in Gloucester, U.K., recently studied whether and how handedness factors direction. These impacted the riding into rein tension measurements. Twenty-three female right-hand-dominant riders ages 14 exercises most, Foster said. through 34 completed a five-minute test on a mechanical horse: one minute at the walk, ■ Behaviors such as walking off, barging, sitting trot, rising trot, seated canter, and two-point canter. head tossing, and biting occurred regu- Based on data collected by rein tensiometers during the riders’ tests, “the right rein larly during mounting, which posed reports greater mean (average) and peak tensions compared to mean and peak tensions in the left rein,” Douglas said. Overall, average rein tensions in the dominant hand were safety risks and delayed classes. 34-45% greater than in the nondominant hand. ■ Horses that had been in the program There was no statistically significant difference between riders’ average right rein tensions longer tended to have lower rates of throughout the gaits, but there were significant differences in average left-rein tension. stress-related behaviors. “It has been reported that athletes display more dexterity with their dominant hand, and ■ Horses that had been in the program this is demonstrated in this equestrian population,” Douglas said. “Higher peak tension in the longer tended to display predominantly right rein may be attributed to the increase in strength often reported in the dominant arm.” avoidant-resistant responses. These results are important when considering horse welfare during riding and training. ■ Rider behavior was the primary source Riders aiming for equal rein tension might actually be sending their horses mixed signals. of stress; one-third of all horse stress —Alexandra Beckstett behaviors were triggered by rein ten- sion, leg pressure, or weight imbalance. ■ Extreme behaviors, such as spooking and bucking, did not occur. typically sluggish or rushed response to In her study, she put each of 15 ■ Overall, stress-related behaviors rarely riders’ or leaders’ cues to speed up, slow stallions and one mare into two posi- interrupted the riding activity. down, and turn,” she explained. tive situations—anticipation­ of a food On the whole, horses’ stress-related be- To avoid triggering stress behaviors in reward and petting—and two negative haviors rarely affected the riders’ experi- these horses, Foster recommended using ­situations—food competition and fear (a ence. “When they did, the behaviors were equipment for some horse-rider pairs plastic bag waving nearby). Each situa- that helps balance the rider and prevents tion lasted for 60 seconds, preceded by a excessive rein tension. 60-second control phase during which the horses were not confronted with any stim- Do Eye Wrinkles Reflect a Horse’s ulus. Throughout all phases Hintze took Emotional State? photographs of the horses’ eyes, collecting Horses are expressive. Their body 512 images, and developed a scoring scale language—from ear position to tail based on overall impression, eyelid shape, ­movement—can tell us a lot about how eye whites, number of wrinkles, marked- they feel. But what about those wrinkles ness, and angle between a horizontal line that sometimes appear above their eyes? through the eye and the highest wrinkle. Sara Hintze, DrMedVet, MSc, a PhD While Hintze noted no significant dif- student at the University of Bern, in ferences in number of wrinkles or eyelid Switzerland, recently evaluated whether shape, she did see more eye whites and Horses in positive situations showed more eye there’s a link between horses’ emo- sharper wrinkle angles during positive whites and sharper wrinkle angles (above). tional states and the amount and type of situations than negative. She explained The more relaxed the underlying muscle, the narrower the eye wrinkle angle (below). wrinkles over their eyes. that the more relaxed the underlying “Wrinkles above the eyeball are com- muscle, the narrower the angle would be. mon in horses but differ in number and “Even though the results of our study shape between and within individuals,” are not entirely consistent,” she said, she said. “In the horse community, ‘worry “some characteristics of eye wrinkle wrinkles’ are often associated with nega- expression were affected by situations of tive reactions, but there’s no (scientific) different emotional states and might be evidence to support this.” promising indicators of horse welfare.” She hypothesized that horses experi- Hintze said researchers could continue encing positive emotions would exhibit studying horses’ eyes for insight into their few eye wrinkles, while horses experienc- emotional welfare. ing negative emotions would show more “Assessing animals’ emotional state

C ourtesy D r. Sa r a Hintze severe wrinkles. usually involves lengthy and often SPONSORED BY

■ Encourage investigative behavior. For instance, thoroughly vet a trainer’s behavior before hiring him or her. ■ Create awareness of what equine welfare is. ■ Create dialogue about welfare, particu- larly with industry stakeholders. ■ Encourage moral reasoning and em- phasize morally acceptable practices. ■ Challenge social norms. ■ Create more opportunities for easily accessible educational outreach and promote rider skill development.­ “Equine organizations should collabo-

a lex ndr b eckstett rate, be ethical, be consistent in enforcing One researcher said individuals in the stock horse industry should be responsible for their own rules, educate, and be proactive in shap- horses, be observant, and be stewards for the horse. ing behaviors,” said Voigt. “Profession- als should address concerns, be trusted ­invasive procedures (e.g., behavioral tests ■ Novice/amateur riders and young train- resources, and work together. Individu- involving prior training or physiological ers’ lack of knowledge needed to make als should be responsible for their own tests based on blood samples),” she said. sound decisions about horse treatment. horses, be observant, and be stewards for “Validating behavioral indicators of emo- To effectively improve these horses’ the horse.” tional state that can be assessed rapidly well-being, however, Voigt said we must She said social cognitive theory offers a by visual inspection and without interfer- first understand the reasons behind their model for understanding what influences ing with the horses’ ongoing behavior treatment. She looked to a psychological behavior toward show horses. “This mod- would allow us to reliably assess their model of behavior called social cognitive­ el can be used to inform the development welfare in any context of interest.” theory, in which individuals learn by of efforts from industry stakeholders to observing others. Moral disengagement reduce the occurrence of compromises to Sizing Up Stock Horse Show Training through this model, she explained, can show horse welfare,” she said. Midway through the 2015 All Ameri- lead to unethical behavior. can Quarter Horse Congress, videos of For example, Voigt said, you observe a Target Training for Stressful Scenarios Western pleasure horses warming up in a rider doing something that benefits them Does your horse have a mini meltdown way that many social media commenters in the show ring. A winning trainer uses when you try to load him on the trailer? viewed as unnatural and inhumane harsh equipment on her horses, so it’s Does he get jittery when you walk him sparked outrage when they surfaced okay for you to copy them, right? up to the mounting block? Depending on online. The response was divided: Some Or, say you see a rider practicing your horse’s personality, you might con- camps believed these horses’ gaits and questionable training methods, but the sider target training prior to these types training are normal and attractive, while stewards never discipline him for it. Now of high-stress situations. others labeled them as cruel and bizarre. you’re less likely to report future welfare Previous study results (Ferguson Regardless, there’s clearly a need for violations because you think there will be and Rosales-Ruiz 2001; Hendrisken better education about and understanding little to no consequences for those actions. et al. 2011) have shown that target of equine welfare in the stock horse world, She also cites reinforcement from suc- ­training—offering­ an immediate “click” said Melissa Voigt, MS, PhD, PAS, of Agri- cess as a reason for poor welfare: A rider and a food reward when the horse cultural Education Solutions, in Lafayette, performs inhumane behavior, wins, and touches the appropriate object with his Indiana, who has been studying this issue thinks it’s okay to keep doing it. “If an indi- nose—is effective for reducing stress (e.g., for years. She recently developed a model vidual thinks risk of punishment is worth tail swishing, ear flicking) and avoidance for improving show horse welfare. the increased chance of winning, they will (e.g., barging, rearing) behaviors in hors- Welfare issues in the stock horse indus- keep doing that behavior,” said Voigt. es. But researchers wondered if horses try she’s cited in previous studies include: She then listed ways the industry can target-trained in low-stress environments ■ An overall incomplete understanding of address the issues at their source, rather would be able to demonstrate what welfare. than relying on punishment by equine they’ve learned in high-stress situations, ■ Common occurrences of excessive organizations to curb welfare issues: such as at a vet clinic or horse show. jerking on the reins; excessive spurring; ■ Desanitize the language (e.g., avoid Kelsey Wallach, an undergraduate induced excessive unnatural move- vague phrases like, “he tuned-up the student at the University of Washington, ment; excessively repetitious aids; and horse”), and more accurately describe aimed to find out. Co-author Robin Fos- excessive continued pressure on the bit. inhumane practices. ter, PhD, Cert. AAB, presented the results. ■ Unrealistic expectations and a priority ■ Encourage empathy for the horse’s In their study, Wallach and Foster placed on winning by trainers. mental state. worked with 12 mares and geldings The Science Behind horsemanship SPONSORED BY ages 4 through 19. Before training, they said. “Horses also made significantly nocturnal sleep behavior from 8 p.m. to observed each horse’s stress and avoid- fewer target-following errors.” 6 a.m. for two consecutive nights under ance behaviors during mounting and So while the horses’ ability to per- the same conditions. The researchers trailer loading. Then they clicker-trained form the target-trained sequences did looked specifically at the frequency and the horses to follow a target in several not transfer over from a low-stress to duration of horses’ sternal recumbency low-stress contexts—a familiar round pen a high-stress environment, practicing (lying with legs tucked under and neck or small paddock. bits and pieces of what they learned did off the ground), lateral recumbency (lying Foster said she and Wallach modeled help reduce their stress levels in those flat on one’s side), and standing sleep. On their training after behavior sequences situations.­ Day 3, each horse jumped a seven-jump, used in trailer loading or at a mounting Wallach and Foster said this method 0.76-meter (two-and-a-half-foot) course block (for example, taking multiple steps can help calm horses and facilitate their twice, while the team noted the time each forward, backward, and standing quietly training in stressful situations. took to complete the course and faults with the handler), and performed 10-min- accumulated, which produced a perfor- ute training sessions with each horse Sleep and Equine Performance mance test score. Results showed that: three to four times a week. Every time a The importance of getting a good horse completed the chained behavior night’s sleep before a physically or men- sequence correctly, it received a food tally demanding day has been ingrained reward (positive reinforcement). After, in us since childhood. If you don’t get These horses have on average, 13 training sessions (Some enough ZZZs pre-half-marathon or bar been trained in lower horses needed as few as seven and others exam, for instance, you know you’re stress contexts, and as many as 21; “Assertive, pushy, confi- at risk of feeling groggy, sluggish, and dent horses took longer to train,” said unfocused. Darcy Murphy, Linda Green- that learning does not Foster.), Wallach tested the horses’ ability ing, and Lucy Dumbell, MSC, PgCE, BSc automatically transfer to perform the sequences during trailer (Hons) Natural Sciences, of Hartpury loading and mounting. She said there College’s Centre for Performance in to the more stessful were no significant differences in stress Equestrian Sports, in the U.K., recently contexts.” levels and avoidance behavior before and studied whether horses’ sleep patterns during the training session. affected their performance. dr. rose nolen-walston However, “in the high-stress context Dumbell, acting associate dean of none of the horses were able to complete Quality and Standards, said, “Research ■ The study horses were in sternal re- the previously learned chained sequenc- in human sleep patterns demonstrates cumbency from 0 to 67.33 minutes (on es,” she said. But they could follow the links between sleep—particularly REM average, 30.70 minutes) a night; target when she broke the sequences sleep—and cognition, memory, and per- ■ The horses adopted standing sleep 16 down into simpler, individual steps. When formance. Knowing if sleep patterns in to 33 times (on average, 20.79) a night; Wallach simplified the sequences, the horses affect performance may instigate ■ As the amount of time the horse spent horses’ “stress and avoidance behaviors interest in considering sleep as an impor- in sternal recumbency decreased, his were significantly lower during both tant management factor.” performance score increased, indicating trailer loading and rider mounting,” she The researchers observed seven horses’ a slow round, many faults, or both; ■ As the frequency of occurrences of the horse falling asleep standing dropped, his performance score increased—again, indicating poorer performance; and ■ There were no significant correla- tions between standing sleep dura- tion, lateral recumbency duration or frequency, or sternal sleep frequency and performance.­ “Because standing sleep, and to some extent sternal recumbency, is associated with brain rest it appears these noctur- nal behaviors may link to performance,” Dumbell said. “The same cannot be said for lateral recumbency, which is interest- ing as this type of nocturnal behavior can be linked to muscle rest, suggesting that more research in this field is justified.”

b in foster courtesy dr. ro These findings do suggest that owners Target training might help reduce stress and avoidance behaviors when trailer loading and mounting.­ might want to consider whether they are The Science Behind horsemanship SPONSORED BY facilitating nocturnal behaviors linked to rest and sleep—for example, providing an ample-sized barn or stall and appropriate bedding, said Dumbell. “More research is required to ascertain whether, at higher levels of competi- tion, lateral recumbency becomes more intrinsically linked with performance, but regardless, all horses should be encour- aged to engage in this type of behavior to facilitate muscle rest from time to time,” she said.

Professional vs. Amateur Round Pen dusty perin Training Techniques When round pen training, individuals should use subtle and precise cues and responses. Many horse trainers, particularly those employing natural horsemanship, advo- ■ Horses handled by professionals explained. “One possible explanation is cate round pen training as a panacea for showed fewer conflict behaviors (e.g., that horses exhibiting conflict behaviors a variety of undesirable equine behaviors, kicking, biting, stomping, head-tossing, were being chased persistently.” ranging from bucking to refusing to be bucking, and trying to escape), par- He said this emphasizes the impor- caught. However, not all round pen train- ticularly at the canter and gallop, than tance of minimal chasing, using subtle ing styles are alike. While some seasoned horses handled by amateurs; and cues, and having very precise timing with trainers practice very effective round pen ■ Horses handled by professionals negative reinforcement techniques in the techniques, round pen training in the exhibited fewer so-called submissive round pen. In other words, as soon as the hands of some amateurs might do more behaviors (e.g., head-lowering, lick- horse correctly reacts to pressure, stop harm for a horse than good. ing, chewing) than those handled by applying it. The study showed that profes- Paul McGreevy, BVSc, PhD, MRCVS, amateurs. sionals are generally more skilled at this, MACVSc (Animal Welfare), Cert CABC, “In essence, these data show that con- carefully observing the horse and chasing animal behavior and welfare science pro- flict behaviors are more likely in horses less than amateurs, he added. fessor at the University of Sydney, recently showing so-called submission,” McGreevy led a team that studied round pen training Color Bias in UK Horse Performance techniques and outcomes among both Horses’ coat colors and patterns have professional and amateur horse trainers. evolved over millennia. Since their The researchers reviewed 300 YouTube­ domestication, horse color trends and videos of round pen training and noted fashions have come and gone; breeders that most sessions can be split into bouts have carefully paired mares and stallions with two basic phases: chasing and flight, to produce foals of a particular color; and and chasing offset and flight offset. They today there’s even an entire branch of selected videos of 24 amateurs and 21 pro- genetics devoted to coat color. fessionals for inclusion in the study, based Anna Fisker Hansen, BSc(Hons) on video quality and two qualifications: Equine Science, who is completing training at liberty and performing more her master’s in equitation science at than one bout. Horses were not saddled. Plymouth University/Duchy College, in Which horse do you think is more appealing? the U.K., recently conducted a study to “We looked at horses’ responses (e.g., British researchers believe judges at young so-called submissive behavior) to chasing horse evaluations have a negative bias toward address current color fashion and bias in and nonchasing and what trainers did colorful horses. one subset of the U.K.’s horse population: during chasing and nonchasing,” such young horses being evaluated as future as verbal cues and arm movements, performance horses. said McGreevy. “We also recorded the Based on feedback from participants number and duration of each chasing and in the British Equestrian Federation’s nonchasing phase and the duration of the (BEF) young horse evaluations—which round pen training session as a whole.” look at more than 400 horses under the The results showed that: age of 3 each year—Fisker Hansen said ■ Professionals showed fewer arm move- she hypothesized a negative bias toward ments per bout than amateurs; block-colored (e.g., piebald or skewbald, ■ Professionals spent more time looking also known as pinto) horses. at their horses during gait transitions “The premium scores awarded at the

than amateurs did; C ourtesy a nn fisker ha nsen Futurity can influence the worth of a The Science Behind horsemanship SPONSORED BY horse, thus any bias in scoring could have economic implications,” she said. Fisker Hansen combed through seven The Martingale’s Effect on Rein Tension years (2008-2014) of Futurity data on Martingales can help prevent a horse from running away or raising his head above the 4,001 horses. She grouped them by color: point of control; help keep his head and neck straight; and enhance rider safety. But what bay (2,218), chestnut (773), black (345), effect does this equipment have on his sensitive mouth tissues? spotted (298), block-colored (241), and “Very little attention has been paid to (martingales’) effects on the reins and the resulting dilution, such as buckskin and palomino (126). She also surveyed 65 British eques- pressure on the horse’s mouth,” said Hayley Randle, PhD, of the Equitation Science Academy trians about coat color preferences. at Duchy College, in the U.K. Randle and BSc (Hons) Equitation Science student Megan O’Neill Based on the data, she found that studied martingale attachments’ effects on rein tension in horses ridden by novice riders. block-colored horses had by far the low- Randle and O’Neill evaluated novice riders because previously researchers have shown est mean premium scores compared to all that these riders are overly reliant upon the reins for stabilization and, thus, could have high solid-colored horses; spotted horses had and inconsistent rein tensions. Depending on the martingale’s effect on rein tension, it could the second-lowest mean premium scores. either be beneficial or detrimental to horses ridden by novices. “These results mirror those of the ques- The team randomly selected six horses and six riders deemed novice by the same instructor. tionnaire, with block-colored and spotted They wore and used correctly fitting tack and performed a predetermined test that involved the chosen as the least favorite horse colors walk, trot, halt, and circles in both directions, first with and then without martingales. Randle by a significant number of respondents,” and O’Neill had each pair perform the test using an Irish martingale (a short strap with a ring she said. “This suggests a negative bias of on either end that joins the reins) and again using a running martingale. They used a Centaur block-colored and spotted horses influ- Rein Tension gauge and found that martingale use significantly impacted rein tension. encing subjective evaluations of potential “Rein tensions were more consistent when horses were ridden with a martingale than with- sport horses.” out,” Randle said, and there were no significant differences between the martingale types. She suggested breeders consider this “The martingale is a useful piece of equipment to improve riding horse welfare,” she said. bias and avoid overbreeding low-value­ “It can reduce the likelihood of horse confusion, behaviors indicative of conflict, and learned horses in an already saturated market. helplessness,” when under novice riders.”—Alexandra Beckstett Head Control Equipment Use It’s not unusual to see riders of all disci- plines outfit their horses in equipment that were least likely to wear head control said Merkies. “These horses are presum- helps them control head position and curb equipment; ably ridden by more experienced riders.” undesirable behaviors. Martingales or ■ Intermediate and advanced-level horses These advanced riders are more tiedowns, for instance, can prevent horses were most likely to wear it; likely to use the equipment properly, said from flinging their heads too high. Draw ■ Head control equipment was associ- Merkies, though she posed the question reins encourage a horse to carry his head ated with riders wearing but not of whether advanced riders need it.“We down and/or flexed inward at the poll. carrying ; and also found that there was no difference Because the use of such equipment can ■ Horses wearing head control equip- in the prevalence of head control equip- potentially compromise equine welfare if ment were more likely to be wearing it ment between adult and child riders,” used inappropriately (i.e., to mask train- in combination with dropped, Kineton she said, “suggesting that younger riders ing deficits), researchers from Canada and (which has stainless steel loops that are using it either to emulate older riders Australia recently evaluated head control fit under the bit and an adjustable or because their coach is putting it on equipment prevalence in a population of nosepiece), or figure-eight , the horse for them, and they don’t really Australian horses. Katrina Merkies, PhD, which all provide more control that know why they are using it.” associate professor and equine program traditional nosebands. While the exact reasons for using head coordinator at the University of Guelph, In summary, “Such equipment appears control equipment on these horses is un- in Ontario, presented their findings. more prevalent in sales advertisements known, Merkies said it’s commonly used Merkies randomly selected one issue for more expensive, higher-level horses, to restrict unwanted behaviors. In sales of an Australian horse sales magazine such as Warmbloods and Thoroughbreds, photographs, in particular, sellers want to from each of three years—2005, 2010, and occurs in conjunction with the use of showcase a horse’s best aspects and might and 2012—and evaluated a total of 1,666 spurs and more restrictive nosebands,” use head control equipment to help do so. advertisement photos. She noted head Another factor? “The viewing audience ­control equipment use in relation to may regard such equipment as normal or breed, riding discipline, level, type of Renowned horseman necessary,” Merkies said. “There is a need noseband, and use, horse value, Andrew McLean for better understanding of the reasons and rider age. Merkies observed that: recalls Equitation Science’s for equipment use. Riders should ques- ■ Head control equipment presence beginnings at tion why exactly they are using head con- increased with horse sale price; TheHorse.com/36813 trol equipment and perhaps think about ■ Pleasure horses of all levels and types riding and training without it.” h