Horse Behavior towards Familiar and Unfamiliar Humans: Implications for Equine-Assisted Services.

ABSTRACT: While human benefits of animal-assisted therapy programs have been documented, relatively little research has been conducted on behavioral factors that predict a successful equine-assisted services (EAS) horse. This study compares the behavior of experienced and non-experienced EAS horses as well as horses selected for future EAS work in a series of sociability and temperament tests. No significant differences were found between experienced and non-experienced horses in the sociability measures or for most of the temperament tests; however, significant differences were found between groups in the brushing test, with non-experienced horses showing more affiliative behaviors towards the familiar handler and unfamiliar persons. No significant differences were found between selected and non-se

SUBMITTER: Brubaker L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8388774 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature