Abstract
It is critically important that early foal handling and training takes into account foals’ cognitive abilities.
The inclusion of days off during horse training has been found to be beneficial. This study aimed to
determine how the incorporation of days off during initial training influences foal learning outcomes and
behaviour. Twenty Thoroughbred foals (age 47±13.6 days) were blocked by age (< or >8weeks) and
randomly allocated to either Method A (trained for two consecutive days followed by a rest day, two more
training days, rest day, ending with up to three more consecutive training days) or Method B (trained for
four consecutive days, two rest days, ending with up to three more consecutive training days). Qualified
Foal NZ instructors used negative reinforcement to train foals to ‘go’ (cranial pressure on the halter until
foal steps forward) and ‘stop’ (caudal pressure until the foal stops) from both left and right sides.
Occurrences of foal biting behaviours were instantaneously recorded during training sessions. Session
length was determined by progress made and did not exceed 25 minutes. Training success was assessed
using number of signals required (recall) for the foal to perform the task in the next training day. Recall
data for all tasks were nonparametric (left ‘Go’ AD=6.32; ‘Stop’ AD=2.89; right ‘Go’ AD=4.24; and ‘Stop’
AD=6.10; all P<0.005). Foals’ recall of any of the tasks did not differ according to whether they were
trained with two non-sequential days break (Method A) or two consecutive days break (Method B) for
either younger or older foals (all Mann-Whitney U P>0.05). Younger foals (<8weeks) trained using Method
B showed significantly more biting (median=7) in session four than those trained using Method A
(median=0; W=36; P<0.05). However, this difference in biting behaviour disappeared by session five
(median=0; W=46; P>0.05). There was no difference in biting behaviour exhibited by older foals (>8weeks)
according to training method. This study shows that whilst the foal’s ability to recall previously learnt
responses is not influenced by the number of consecutive days of training or days off during a 7-9 day
training programme, foals <8weeks that had four consecutive days of training showed significantly more
biting behaviour than those who had a day off training prior to day four. It is recommended young foal
initial training programs incorporate a day off within the first four days in order to decrease potential stress
related behaviours such as biting.
Lay person message: Handling foals appropriately and creating a positive human-horse relationship
that takes foals cognitive abilities and limitations into account is critically important for future behavioural
development. Having a day off during the training programme did not hinder foals training progress. Young
foals (less than 8 weeks) who had four consecutive days of training before having a day off showed more
biting. Initial training of young foals should avoid four consecutive days to avoid negative behaviours such
as biting occurring.
Original language | English |
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Pages | 64 |
Number of pages | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 19 Aug 2019 |
Event | International Society for Equitation Science: 15th International Conference of the International Society for Equitation Science - University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada Duration: 19 Aug 2019 → 21 Aug 2019 Conference number: 15th file:///D:/Users/hrandle/Downloads/ISES_Proceedings_15th_International_Conference_Guelph_2019.pdf https://equitationscience.com/previous-conferences/2019-15th-international-conference |
Conference
Conference | International Society for Equitation Science |
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Abbreviated title | Bringing Science to the Stable |
Country/Territory | Canada |
City | Guelph |
Period | 19/08/19 → 21/08/19 |
Internet address |