Validation of the Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ): A New Survey Instrument for Exploring and Monitoring the Domestic Equine Triad.
Authors: Fenner Kate, Matlock Sarah, Williams Jane, Wilson Bethany, McLean Andrew, Serpell James, McGreevy Paul
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: E-BARQ Validation Study Researchers developed the Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ) as a standardised tool to quantify training, management and behaviour traits in domestic horses, with the capacity to track changes longitudinally and assess welfare impacts over time. The validation study tested construct validity (whether owner-reported behavioural problems aligned with questionnaire scores) across 1,923 responses, inter-rater reliability (consistency between two independent observers) across ten horse-rider pairs, and intra-rater reliability (consistency of the same observer over time), using statistical analysis including kappa coefficients to determine alignment. Construct validity proved robust for both ridden and non-ridden behaviour, with E-BARQ scores varying significantly according to reported experience (p < 0.001); inter-rater reliability was excellent across 203 of 215 items at the 0.001 significance level, though ten items related to anxiety away from home showed poor alignment, and four items demonstrated only fair agreement. Perfect intra-rater reliability across all 215 items confirmed that individual respondents provide consistent answers when reassessed, establishing E-BARQ as a validated instrument for standardised behavioural assessment. For practitioners, E-BARQ offers a quantifiable framework to document baseline behaviour, monitor the effects of training modifications or management changes, and gather objective data on welfare-relevant behavioural traits—though users should recognise that anxiety-related responses, particularly separation anxiety, may be less reliably assessed than ridden behaviour problems or temperament characteristics.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •E-BARQ is a validated, standardised tool you can use to objectively track changes in your horse's behaviour over time in response to training and management modifications
- •The questionnaire is reliable when completed by different people familiar with the same horse, making it useful for comparing observations across handlers or for client communication
- •Questions about separation-related anxiety may not be reliably scored and should be interpreted with caution; direct observation or specialist behavioural assessment may be needed for these concerns
Key Findings
- •E-BARQ demonstrated strong construct validity with significant alignment between owner-reported behavioural concerns and questionnaire scores (p < 0.001 for both ridden and non-ridden behaviour)
- •Inter-rater reliability was high with 203 of 215 items (94.4%) showing significant alignment between independent raters (p < 0.001)
- •Intra-rater reliability was excellent with all 215 items showing significant alignment when the same respondent re-scored after an interval (p < 0.001)
- •Ten items related to separation anxiety showed no alignment between raters (κ = 0), suggesting these may require refinement in the questionnaire