Assessment of affective state for horses engaged in therapeutic riding
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Authors
Naden, Kristina
Cameron, Kristie
Cameron, Kristie
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Date
2024-09
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Conference Contribution - Oral Presentation
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Keyword
New Zealand
horses
welfare
animal welfare
equine-assisted therapy
horsemanship
animal behaviour therapy
nonverbal communication in animals
horses
welfare
animal welfare
equine-assisted therapy
horsemanship
animal behaviour therapy
nonverbal communication in animals
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Naden, K., & Cameron, K.E. (2024, September, 5-7). Assessment of affective state for horses engaged in therapeutic riding [Paper presentation]. New Zealand Association for Behaviour Analysis 21st Annual Conference Auckland, New Zealand
https://hdl.handle.net/10652/6869
Abstract
The ability to recognise and understand horse behaviour is important to ensure accurate assessments, that can impact equine welfare in New Zealand. This is an important consideration in the management of New Zealand Riding for the Disabled Association’s (NZRDA) horses used for therapeutic riding. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the ability of NZRDA volunteers, the general public with equine experience, and a panel of equine behaviour experts to identify behaviours and attribute them to an assessment of welfare. Respondents were presented with a selection from 13 videos showing horses engaged in therapeutic riding, and also in a paddock or yard situation, and were asked to select terms that described the affective state of the animal. The videos were scored on a scale ranging from positive to negative affective state. Overall agreement was moderate for videos assessed within the behaviour expert group, but weak between NZRDA volunteers, the general public, and the experts. Agreement was more likely for horses in a paddock/yard context compared to a therapeutic riding context. The low levels of agreement between NZRDA volunteers, the general public, and experts indicate serious concerns for recognising horse behaviours and affective state which, if missed, ignored, or misread could result in serious injury for riders or horses. It is evident that the assessment of equine behaviour as it relates to ‘mood’ is in need of systematic analysis. This would increase the information available to those involved in horse-related activities to be aware of stressors and behavioural indicators that impact horse and rider.
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