Reported Agonistic Behaviours in Domestic Horses Cluster According to Context.
Authors: Fenner Kate, Wilson Bethany Jessica, Ermers Colette, McGreevy Paul Damien
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Agonistic Behaviours in Domestic Horses Cluster According to Context Researchers from the University of Melbourne analysed data from 2734 horses using the validated Equine Behavioural and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ) to determine whether agonistic behaviours—biting, kicking, tail swishing, and associated threat displays—occur randomly or cluster according to specific contexts. Dendrographic and principal component analyses identified five distinct behavioural clusters linked to particular management scenarios: locomotion under saddle, saddling procedures, reactions within familiar environments, inter-specific threats (interactions with humans and other species), and intra-specific threats (interactions with other horses). The findings suggest that motivation for agonistic responses varies significantly by context, with clusters related to ridden work and preparation pointing towards pain or fear as primary drivers rather than inherent aggression. For equine professionals, this contextual understanding has profound implications: a horse displaying agonistic behaviours during saddling or ridden work should prompt investigation into underlying pain, confusion, or fear rather than dismissal as a "problem horse," and management modifications targeting the specific trigger context—rather than punitive responses—are likely to be more effective and humane. This research challenges the traditional conflation of context-specific agonistic responses with vice, encouraging a more sophisticated assessment of equine behaviour that acknowledges the role of training methods, equipment, and potential pain in shaping these responses.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Rather than labelling horses as generally aggressive, identify the specific context triggering agonistic behaviour—whether during saddling, ridden work, or handling—to address underlying causes such as pain or fear.
- •Agonistic responses during ridden work or preparation may indicate pain, confusion, or fear related to management practices; punishment is likely to escalate danger and should be replaced with investigation of causative factors.
- •Training and handling protocols should account for context-specific triggers; behaviours shown during one activity (e.g., mounting) may not generalise to others, allowing targeted problem-solving rather than wholesale behavioural modification.
Key Findings
- •Five distinct clusters of agonistic behaviours were identified through dendrographic analysis, each associated with specific contexts: locomotion under saddle, saddling, reactions in familiar environments, inter-specific threats, and intra-specific threats.
- •Principal component analysis revealed six components strongly related to the five behavioural clusters, indicating that motivation for agonistic responses differs significantly by context.
- •Analysis suggests fear and pain play potential roles in agonistic responses rather than inherent aggression being a personality trait of individual horses.
- •Context-specific agonistic behaviours should not be interpreted as general aggression, challenging the traditional practice of labelling and punishing horses exhibiting these responses.