Horsemanship is the human practice of worki[2]ng with horses, from routine handling and training to ridden work, and in welfare science it denotes the quality of that practice as judged from the horse's behavioural and physiological responses [1][2]. It is relational rather than a property of the handler alone: the human–horse relationship emerges from repeated interactions, and the incidence of horse-related accidents depends more on the frequency and amount of contact than on the level of competence [3]. Owner knowledge and experience shape attitudes and management behaviour, which in turn affect welfare [4]. In ridden work, more skilled riders achieve better gait quality, yet behavioural pain markers do not differ consistently with rider skill [2].
- horsemanship
- human–horse relationship
- handling
- rider skill
- animal welfare
References
- Katherine Jennifer Kelly; Laurie Anne McDuffee; Kimberly Mears; The Effect of Human–Horse Interactions on Equine Behaviour, Physiology, and Welfare: A Scoping Review. Animals 2021, 11, 2782. [CrossRef]
- S. Dyson; C. Martin; A. Bondi; A. D. Ellis; The influence of rider skill on ridden horse behaviour, assessed using the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram, and gait quality. Equine Vet. Educ. 2020, 34, E308-E317. [CrossRef]
- Martine Hausberger; Hélène Roche; Séverine Henry; E. Kathalijne Visser; A review of the human–horse relationship. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2008, 109, 1-24. [CrossRef]
- Lauren M. Hemsworth; Ellen C. Jongman; Grahame J. Coleman; The Human–Horse Relationship: Identifying the Antecedents of Horse Owner Attitudes towards Horse Husbandry and Management Behaviour. Animals 2021, 11, 278. [CrossRef]