Psychological Factors Affecting Equine Performance

Overview

Journal BMC Vet Res

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Veterinary Medicine

Date 2012 Sep 29

PMID 23016987

Citations 19

Authors

Sebastian D McBride

Daniel S Mills

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

For optimal individual performance within any equestrian discipline horses must be in peak physical condition and have the correct psychological state. This review discusses the psychological factors that affect the performance of the horse and, in turn, identifies areas within the competition horse industry where current behavioral research and established behavioral modification techniques could be applied to further enhance the performance of animals. In particular, the role of affective processes underpinning temperament, mood and emotional reaction in determining discipline-specific performance is discussed. A comparison is then made between the training and the competition environment and the review completes with a discussion on how behavioral modification techniques and general husbandry can be used advantageously from a performance perspective.

Citing Articles

No More Evasion: Redefining Conflict Behaviour in Human-Horse Interactions.

OConnell E, Dyson S, McLean A, McGreevy P Animals (Basel). 2025; 15(3).

PMID: 39943169 PMC: 11816191. DOI: 10.3390/ani15030399.

Impact of musical rhythm on blood, physiological and welfare parameters in stabled horses.

Oliveira F, Odakura A, Burbarelli M, Ouros C, de Lima Almeida Paz I, Braz J Sci Rep. 2024; 14(1):31311.

PMID: 39732892 PMC: 11682261. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-82637-8.

Determination of Equine Behaviour in Subjectively Non-Lame Ridden Sports Horses and Comparison with Lame Sports Horses Evaluated at Competitions.

Dyson S, Pollard D Animals (Basel). 2024; 14(12).

PMID: 38929449 PMC: 11200720. DOI: 10.3390/ani14121831.

Development of a fixed list of descriptors for the qualitative behavioral assessment of thoroughbred horses in the racing environment.

Jaramillo F, Oliveira T, Silva P, Trindade P, Baccarin R Front Vet Sci. 2023; 10:1189846.

PMID: 37680385 PMC: 10482396. DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1189846.

Variation in salivary cortisol responses in yearling Thoroughbred racehorses during their first year of training.

Holtby A, McGivney B, Browne J, Katz L, Murphy K, Hill E PLoS One. 2023; 18(4):e0284102.

PMID: 37023093 PMC: 10079128. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284102.

References

Adell A, Armario A, Gelpi E . Chronic stress increases serotonin and noradrenaline in rat brain and sensitizes their responses to a further acute stress. J Neurochem. 1988; 50(6):1678-81. DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1988.tb02462.x. View

Smith B, Jones J, Hornof W, Miles J, Longworth K, Willits N . Effects of road transport on indices of stress in horses. Equine Vet J. 1996; 28(6):446-54. DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb01616.x. View

Hada T, Onaka T, Takahashi T, Hiraga A, Yagi K . Effects of novelty stress on neuroendocrine activities and running performance in thoroughbred horses. J Neuroendocrinol. 2003; 15(7):638-48. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2826.2003.01042.x. View

Goodwin D, Davidson H, Harris P . Foraging enrichment for stabled horses: effects on behaviour and selection. Equine Vet J. 2002; 34(7):686-91. DOI: 10.2746/042516402776250450. View

Kjormo O, Halvari H . Relation of burnout with lack of time for being with significant others, role conflict, cohesion, and self-confidence among Norwegian Olympic athletes. Percept Mot Skills. 2002; 94(3 Pt 1):795-804. DOI: 10.2466/pms.2002.94.3.795. View

Cresswell S, Hodge K . Coping skills: role of trait sport confidence and trait anxiety. Percept Mot Skills. 2004; 98(2):433-8. DOI: 10.2466/pms.98.2.433-438. View

Cooper J . Comparative learning theory and its application in the training of horses. Equine Vet J Suppl. 1999; (27):39-43. DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb05144.x. View

Huber L, Troje N, Loidolt M, Aust U, Grass D . Natural categorization through multiple feature learning in pigeons. Q J Exp Psychol B. 2000; 53(4):341-57. DOI: 10.1080/713932733. View

Berridge K . Motivation concepts in behavioral neuroscience. Physiol Behav. 2004; 81(2):179-209. DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2004.02.004. View

10.

Mendl M, Burman O, Paul E . An integrative and functional framework for the study of animal emotion and mood. Proc Biol Sci. 2010; 277(1696):2895-904. PMC: 2982018. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2010.0303. View

11.

McBride S, Hemmings A . Altered mesoaccumbens and nigro-striatal dopamine physiology is associated with stereotypy development in a non-rodent species. Behav Brain Res. 2005; 159(1):113-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2004.10.014. View

12.

Parker M, Redhead E, Goodwin D, McBride S . Impaired instrumental choice in crib-biting horses (Equus caballus). Behav Brain Res. 2008; 191(1):137-40. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2008.03.009. View

13.

Simon J, Walther S, Fiebach C, Friederich H, Stippich C, Weisbrod M . Neural reward processing is modulated by approach- and avoidance-related personality traits. Neuroimage. 2009; 49(2):1868-74. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.09.016. View

14.

Christensen J, Rundgren M, Olsson K . Training methods for horses: habituation to a frightening stimulus. Equine Vet J. 2006; 38(5):439-43. DOI: 10.2746/042516406778400574. View

15.

Panksepp J . Affective consciousness: Core emotional feelings in animals and humans. Conscious Cogn. 2005; 14(1):30-80. DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2004.10.004. View

16.

Rubin L, Oppegard C, Hindz H . The effect of varying the temporal distribution of conditioning trials on equine learning behavior. J Anim Sci. 1980; 50(6):1184-7. DOI: 10.2527/jas1980.5061184x. View

17.

Hardy L, Mullen R, Jones G . Knowledge and conscious control of motor actions under stress. Br J Psychol. 1996; 87 ( Pt 4):621-36. DOI: 10.1111/j.2044-8295.1996.tb02612.x. View

18.

Mills D . Personality and individual differences in the horse, their significance, use and measurement. Equine Vet J Suppl. 1999; (27):10-3. DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb05137.x. View

19.

Hausberger M, Muller C, Lunel C . Does work affect personality? A study in horses. PLoS One. 2011; 6(2):e14659. PMC: 3036583. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014659. View

20.

WATSON D, Tellegen A . Toward a consensual structure of mood. Psychol Bull. 1985; 98(2):219-35. DOI: 10.1037//0033-2909.98.2.219. View