An investigation of behaviour during tacking‐up and mounting in ridden sports and leisure horses
Authors: Dyson S., Bondi A., Routh J., Pollard D., Preston T., McConnell C., Kydd J. H.
Journal: Equine Veterinary Education
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Behaviour during Tacking-up and Mounting Dyson and colleagues conducted the first large-scale observational study of equine behaviour during tacking-up and mounting, recruiting 193 horses from 11 locations across amateur and professional riding settings to characterise what constitutes normal and abnormal responses to these routine procedures. Using a standardised behavioural protocol, researchers documented specific responses during bridling, saddle placement, girthing and mounting, finding that horses exhibited a median of 10 abnormal behaviours during tacking-up (ranging from 0 to 33), with abnormal behaviours accounting for 25–75% of total tacking-up time in more than half the sample. Girthing and saddle placement provoked notably different behavioural responses than bridling—including fidgeting, tail swishing, head-turning to the girth, nose rubbing and biting attempts—whilst bit chomping predominated during bridling (67% of horses). The findings emphasise that abnormal behaviour during tacking-up is commonplace rather than exceptional, challenging assumptions many professionals hold about baseline equine responses and suggesting that discomfort, anxiety or poor handling during these procedures warrants serious investigation rather than normalisation. For farriers, vets and other equine professionals, this evidence supports the need for systematic assessment of tacking-up behaviour as a potential indicator of underlying pain, ill-fitting equipment, or training issues requiring intervention.
Read the full abstract on the publisher's site
Practical Takeaways
- •Monitor behaviour during saddling and girthing particularly closely, as these phases trigger more abnormal behaviours than bridling—consider addressing girth sensitivity, saddle fit, or desensitization protocols if fidgeting, tail swishing, or girth-directed behaviours are observed
- •Many abnormal behaviours during tacking-up may indicate pain, discomfort, or anxiety; work with your vet and saddle fitter to rule out ill-fitting tack or underlying issues before assuming the horse is simply being difficult
- •The prevalence of abnormal behaviours during tacking-up (even in leisure horses) suggests this is a critical welfare and safety assessment point in your daily handling routine
Key Findings
- •Abnormal behaviour during tacking-up was common, with a median of 10 abnormal behaviours per horse (IQR 7-13) across all tacking phases
- •Saddling and girthing elicited more abnormal behaviours than bridling in 34% of horses, with fidgeting, tail swishing, and girth-directed behaviours significantly more frequent during these phases
- •Repeatedly chomping on the bit was the most frequent behaviour during bridling (67%), while ears back and intense stare occurred consistently across all phases (54-65%)
- •Abnormal behaviour during mounting was minimal (median 1/30), suggesting tacking-up is the primary concern phase