Volume: 3, 2024
3rd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A012
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL3.A012
Published online: 24 April 2024
ICDSUPL, 3, A012 (2024)
Social dimension of equine temperament and its impact on fearfulness
Wiktoria Janicka1*, Yelyzaveta Tkachenko1, Klementyna Monika Kasprzykowska1
1 Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: wiktoria.janicka@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
Fearfulness and gregariousness, also known as social dependence, are particularly interesting dimensions of equine temperament due to their impact on efficient and safe horse management. The aim of the study was to assess dependencies between social dependence and fearfulness in horses. The study included 20 adult warmblood horses. Each horse was subjected to the 10-minute gregariousness test to assess its level of social dependence while being socially isolated. The percentage of displaying restless behaviour (sustained walk, trot, canter, vigilance [s]) was assessed. Individuals that spent less than 15% being restless were classified as socially independent and those scored above 15% were classified as socially dependent. Then, they were subjected to two fear tests: falling object test and sound barrier test. In the first test horses were feeding for 30 s, when a plastic bottle filled with stones was suddenly rised and dropped and latency to resume feeding was assessed. In the second test horses were moving towards the herd on pasture through a 55 m corridor (first trial). In the second trial sudden and novel sound (futuristic characteristics, 20 s, 80 dB) was played unexpectedly during this walk. The change (increase/decrease) in time taken to reach the finish [s] between the two trials was analysed. Additionally, correlations between the results of gregariousness test and scores awarded by caretakers for self-reliance, fearfulness, vigilance and tendency to panic (scale 1–9) were checked. One-way ANOVA test and Pearson correlations were used. Dependent individuals needed slightly more time to resume feeding in falling object test and to reach the finish line in sound barrier test, but both differences were not significant (p > 0.05). Latency to resume feeding positively correlated with vigilance and tendency to panic. No correlations were found for restless behaviour and traits assessed by carers. The current study did not reveal dependencies between being stressed during social isolation and when exposed to visual and auditory stressors. Despite horses were characterised by different levels of social dependence, they reacted similarly in fear tests. It may indicate that these traits are independent, but this requires further research. Caretakers are aware of the horses’ fear nature but they cannot easily assess horses’ discomfort during social isolation. Greater effort should be put into making carers aware of the stress during social isolation.
Keywords: horse, temperament, gregariousness, fearfulness
How to cite
W. Janicka, Y. Tkachenko, K.M. Kasprzykowska, 2024. Social dimension of equine temperament and its impact on fearfulness. In: 3rd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL3.A012