The Impact of the Sex of Handlers and Riders on the Reported Social Confidence, Compliance and Touch Sensitivity of Horses in Their Care.
Authors: Anzulewicz Ashley, Fenner Kate, Hyde Michelle, Heald Susan, Burattini Bibiana, Romness Nicole, McKenzie Jessica, Wilson Bethany, McGreevy Paul
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Handlers and riders of different sexes may elicit distinctly different behavioural responses from horses, yet this dimension of equine management has received surprisingly little research attention. Using the Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ), researchers surveyed 1,420 respondents about their horses' behaviour patterns in relation to how frequently male versus female handlers worked with them, collecting detailed data across 97 behavioural items both on the ground and under saddle. Horses handled predominantly by men showed significantly greater difficulty being caught and increased defensiveness when approached, but paradoxically were less inclined to pull on the reins, brace their necks, or toss their heads compared with horses handled primarily by women—suggesting that handler sex may influence not just confidence and ground manners, but also ridden compliance patterns. These findings indicate that sex-related differences in handling style, strength application, or communication may substantially shape equine behaviour, making it a variable worth acknowledging during case assessment and retraining programmes. Future research investigating the specific mechanisms driving these differences—whether attributable to physical force, pressure application, consistency, or other handler characteristics—could help practitioners tailor their approach and better understand their clients' horses' behavioural presentations.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Consider handler sex as a variable when assessing catching difficulties or defensive behaviours; horses may respond differently to male versus female handlers due to established patterns of interaction
- •Be aware that horses handled predominantly by one sex may show different compliance patterns under saddle; gradual exposure to handlers of different sexes may help develop more consistent behaviour
- •Document handler sex and frequency when recording behavioural observations, as this contextual information may explain apparent inconsistencies in horse responses across different people
Key Findings
- •Horses handled more frequently by males were significantly more difficult to catch (p = 0.002) and more defensive when approached (p = 0.035) compared to those handled by females
- •Horses handled by males were significantly less likely to pull on reins, brace the neck, or toss their head (p = 0.048) than horses handled by females
- •Sex of handler/rider is an important factor influencing reported horse behaviour on the ground and under saddle
- •Behavioural differences between male and female-handled horses suggest gendered interactions influence equine responses