Horsemanship is the human practice of working 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, 10.3390/ani11102782.
- 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, 10.1111/eve.13434.
- Martine Hausberger; Hélène Roche; Séverine Henry; E. Kathalijne Visser; A review of the human–horse relationship. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2008, 109, 1-24, 10.1016/j.applanim.2007.04.015.
- 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, 10.3390/ani11020278.