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Behaviour Patterns of Horses Can be Used to Establish a Dominant-Subordinate Relationship Between Man and Horse

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

C Sighieri ,
D Tedeschi ,
C De Andreis ,
L Petri  and
P Baragli
C Sighieri
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Pisa, viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
D Tedeschi
Affiliation:
Labor Laboratories Srl, via Rosellini 11, 56124 Pisa, Italy
C De Andreis
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Pisa, viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
L Petri
Affiliation:
Idioscuri, Italian School of Veterinary Physiotherapy, loc 1 Cappuccini, 52050 Siena, Italy
P Baragli*
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Pisa, viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: [email protected]
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Abstract

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This paper describes how man can enter the social hierarchy of the horse by mimicking the behaviour and stance it uses to establish dominance. A herd is organised according to a dominance hierarchy established by means of ritualised conflict. Dominance relationships are formed through these confrontations: one horse gains the dominant role and others identify themselves as subordinates. This study was conducted using five females of the Haflinger breed, totally unaccustomed to human contact, from a free-range breeding farm. The study methods were based on the three elements fundamental to the equilibrium of the herd: flight, herd instinct and hierarchy. The trainer-horse relationship was established in three phases: retreat, approach and association. At the end of the training sessions, all of the horses were able to respond correctly to the trainer. These observations suggest that it is possible to manage unhandled horses without coercion by mimicking their behaviour patterns.

Keywords

animal welfarebehaviour patternsdominanceunhandled horse
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 12 , Issue 4: Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on the Assessment of Animal Welfare at Farm and Group Level , November 2003 , pp. 705 - 708
Copyright
© 2003 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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