A study on validity and reliability of on-farm tests to measure human–animal relationship in horses and donkeys

Costa, Emanuela Dalla; Dai, Francesca; Murray, Leigh Anne Margaret; Guazzetti, Stefano; Minero, Michela

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2014.12.007

Cited by 32 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The use of the whip can also increase the risk of TRPBs during transportation because a horse loaded with a whip is more scared and anxious. Consequently, the use of loading equipment such as a whip should not be recommended, and the application of the least traumatizing methods to train horses, such as habituation and self-encouraging [ 27 , 44 , 45 ], should be encouraged.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Equine Transport-Related Problem Behaviors and Injuries: A Survey of Italian Horse Industry Members

Dai

Zappaterra

Minero

et al. 2021

Animals

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An online survey was conducted to determine associations between equine transport management and transport-related injuries and problem behaviors in Italy. The survey was composed of four sections: respondents’ demographic information and background, transport management practices, journey details and vehicle design, and transport injuries experienced by the horse in the previous two-year period. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression with a binary outcome variable was performed to explore associations between variables (respondents’ and journeys’ details and transport practices) and equine transport-related problem behaviors (TRPBs) and injuries. TRPBs were also considered an explanatory variable for injuries. The survey generated 201 responses; only 148 were complete and analyzed. TRPBs were reported by 14.45% of the respondents and the odds of TRPBs was linked to the respondent gender (p = 0.034), the use of tranquilizers prior to transport (p = 0.002), the use of a whip for loading (p = 0.049), the lack of protection equipment (p = 0.050), and shavings (p = 0.025) on the vehicle floor. Horse injuries (11.49%) were reported by more respondents who did not check the brakes of their transport vehicle before traveling (p = 0.043), had vehicles with padding on the chest bar (p = 0.038), and for horses reported to display TRPBs (p = 0.001). Finally, 10 respondents reported they were injured during horse transport (10/140; 7.14%), 50% simultaneously with their horses. The study findings should be interpreted with caution due to small sample size bias and participants’ recall bias. Nevertheless, the results are in concordance with the literature, confirming that horse transport is a risk for the horse’s and handler’s health and well-being. Further studies are needed to identify best management practices to educate equine industry members on how to minimize transport-related problems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Equine Transport-Related Problem Behaviors and Injuries: A Survey of Italian Horse Industry Members

Dai

Zappaterra

Minero

et al. 2021

Animals

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“…Two main categories of handling tests have been broadly used so far: the presence of a motionless person who remains still in front of the animal and a slow approach toward the horse itself, leading to physical contact (13). A review of literature regarding horses' reactions to stationary or moving humans (49) reveals that physiological signals are frequently linked to this type of handling test, but usually only considering the horses' average heart rate within a short window as a marker. In a few other cases, cardiac activity has been considered an indicator of emotional states of the horses during interactions with familiar and unfamiliar experimenters; however, handling tests in these studies differed from the ones we implement here [i.e., (50,51)].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inside the Interaction: Contact With Familiar Humans Modulates Heart Rate Variability in Horses

et al. 2020

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A human–animal relationship can be developed through subsequent interactions, affected by the positive or negative emotional valence of the proceeding one. Horses implement a process of categorization to classify humans with whom they interact as positive, negative, or neutral stimuli by evaluating the kind of approach and the nature of the contact. In these terms, human–animal interactions are emotionally charged events, eliciting specific emotional states in both subjects involved. Although the human–horse relationship has been mainly investigated through behavioral analysis, physiological indicators are needed for a more objective assessment of the emotional responses. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a commonly used autonomic nervous system (ANS) correlate estimating the sympathovagal balance as a psychophysiological marker of emotion regulation in horses. We have assumed that long-term positive relationships with humans may have a positive and immediate impact on the emotional arousal of the horse, detectable, via ANS activity, during the interaction. We analyzed horses' heartbeat dynamics during their interaction with either familiar or unfamiliar handlers, applying a standardized experimental protocol consisting of three different conditions shifting from the absence of interaction to physical contact. The ANS signals were monitored through an innovative non-invasive wearable system, not interfering with the unconscious emotional response of the animal. We demonstrated that horses appeared to feel more relaxed while physically interacting (e.g., grooming on the right side) with some familiar handlers compared to the same task performed by someone unfamiliar. The shift of the sympathovagal balance toward a vagal predominance suggests that the horses experienced a decrease in stress response as a function not only of the handler's familiarity but also of the type of interaction they are experiencing. These results constitute the objective evidence of horses' capacity to individually recognize a familiar person, adding the crucial role of familiarity with the handler as a paramount component of human–animal interaction. Our rigorous methodological approach may provide a significant contribution to various fields such as animal welfare while further investigating the emotional side of the human–animal relationships.

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“…The welfare indicators covered the 4 principles and 12 criteria described by the Welfare Quality ® (2009). In particular, the appropriate behaviour of the donkeys was assessed by recording social interaction, evidence of stereotypies and by testing the human-animal relationship with the Avoidance Distance test (AD), the Walking Down Side test (WDS) and presence of tail tuck, as described by Dalla Costa et al (2015). Positive emotional state was assessed using Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of management practices on the welfare of dairy donkeys and risk factors associated with signs of hoof neglect

Dai

Segati

Brščić

et al. 2017

Journal of Dairy Research

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This Research Paper aimed to investigate donkey welfare in dairy husbandry systems and to identify the potential factors affecting it at animal level. In 2015, twelve dairy donkey farms (19–170 donkeys per farm, mean = 55 ± 48), distributed throughout Italy, were visited. On each farm, the Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN) welfare assessment protocol for donkeys was used by two trained assessors to evaluate the welfare of animals for a total of 257 donkeys assessed. The protocol includes animal-based indicators that were entered in a digitalised system. Prevalence of different scores at individual, farm and category level were calculated. Farmers were asked to fill out a questionnaire including information regarding the management of donkeys and their final destination. Answers to the questionnaire were then considered as effects in the risk factor analysis whereas the scores of the animal-based indicators were considered as response variables. Most of the donkeys (80·2%) enjoyed a good nutritional status (BCS = 3). 18·7% of donkeys showed signs of hoof neglect such as overgrowth and/or incorrect trimming (Min = 0% Max = 54·5%). Belonging to a given farm or production group influenced many of the welfare indicators. The absence of pasture affected the likelihood of having skin lesions, alopecia, low BCS scores and a less positive emotional state. Lack of routine veterinary visits (P< 0·001) and having neglected hooves (P< 0·001) affected the likelihood of being thin (BCS < 3). Belonging to specific production groups, lack of access to pasture and showing an avoidance reaction to an approaching human (AD) resulted in risk factors associated with a higher prevalence of signs of hoof neglect. Our results support the idea that lack of knowledge of proper donkey care among owners was behind many welfare issues found.

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A study on validity and reliability of on-farm tests to measure human–animal relationship in horses and donkeys

Cited by 32 publications

References 42 publications

Equine Transport-Related Problem Behaviors and Injuries: A Survey of Italian Horse Industry Members

Equine Transport-Related Problem Behaviors and Injuries: A Survey of Italian Horse Industry Members

Inside the Interaction: Contact With Familiar Humans Modulates Heart Rate Variability in Horses

Effects of management practices on the welfare of dairy donkeys and risk factors associated with signs of hoof neglect

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