Temperament and the horse’s usage

A few reminders about the concept of temperament.

In ethology, the animal’s character is defined through the concept of temperament.

Studies have established links between the scientific measurement of temperament (complete or standardized temperamental tests, and simplified temperamental tests), and the capacity of horses to be utilized. The relationship between the tests and temperament are of variable relevance, depending on the discipline and the way in which the temperament was measured.
Despite this, there are a number of tendencies which are apparent, and which mainly concern emotivity (reactions of fear), herd instinct (the search for kin) and spontaneous locomotive activity.

Emotivity and rideability

Of all the factors which can be measured, emotivity (reactions due to fear) appears to be the one having the most significant consequences on the horse’s rideability.a

tempérament et utilisation du cheval — Reaction of fear to a tarpaulin sheet © B. Jéhanne

Emotional or fearful horses are usually more difficult to handle in the field, in the stable, when being treated or examined for veterinary or zootechnical reasons (placing a drip, taking a blood sample…..) and when being broken in. They are also more difficult to ride during their first years competing, or even later on when they will demonstrate defensive behaviour, or reactions to the environment (refusing or spooking) or pulling on the reins. English speakers talk about “rideability” (or “Rittikeit” in German), which is the capability of being ridden. Four French studies also show that emotional or fearful horses are more difficult to ride or harness safely for inexperienced users, they are also more difficult to use outdoors.

It has also been demonstrated that fearful horses learn differently to non fearful horses. They will learn more quickly in a familiar environment when the task itself provokes fear (negative reinforcement), this is the most commonly used technique. On the other hand, they learn less quickly in other cases, particularly in a non familiar environment.

Herd instinct, locomotive activity and rideability

In the same way, during tests, horses with a high spontaneous locomotive activity, those who move a lot when they are seperated from other horses are usually more difficult to handle in the field, in the stable and during daily care. Three French studies have demonstrated that these horses are also more difficult to ride or harness safely for the less experienced user.

Temperament and performances in Show-jumping

Scientific publications concerning the connection between temperament and show-jumping performance are few, and do not always give the same conclusions. According to Léa Lansade, more emotional or fearful young horses appear to be better performers on the lunge, and jump higher during breaking in; they also seem to be better appreciated by experienced riders. This theory is confirmed by an unpublished French study: out of 24 three- year old pony stallions, the more emotional subjects were deemed lighter and more forward by professional riders. For Léa Lansade, young fearful horses are better performers in show-jumping because they do not hit the fences as much.
In a Dutch study however, the connections seem to reverse from year to year on the same horses, between the measures of emotivity and herd instinct conducted as one and two-year olds, and their performances show-jumping during breaking-in as three-year olds. More recently, on a large number of French horses, there seemed to be no connection between temperamental factors (of which emotivity) measured as three-year olds during “Modèle et Allures” (Conformation and paces) shows, and their performance rating in show-jumping at the age of four.

Temperament and equestrian discipline

Horses specialised in Dressage appear to be more fearful than show-jumpers. Different authors do not agree on the origin of their greater emotivity:
• Genetic basis, in a study on Swedish warmblooods, and Hanoverians;
• Living environment/ type of work in a French study: stabled horses are more subject to emotivity, and the constraints of dressage exercises could also increase emotivity.

Living environment and temperament

Living environment can change a horse’s reactivity. It has been demonstrated in various different studies that a stabled horse compared to a horse living in a group, has a higher emotivity, locomotive activity, and defensive level when being handled or turned out.

For example, young horses living alone in a large stable during the daytime, with different enrichments (food, objects) and turned out at night with other horses were less fearful and showed fewer defensive reactions when tested walking in hand, than horses kept continually stabled.
Another example, in French equestrian facilities, stabled horses demonstrated higher locomotive reactions in an emotivity test, than horses living in a group. It appears from several other studies that horses leaving the stable only for work, or horses that are seldom turned out (2 hours a week) are more restless in the stable, do not lie down as much, are more aggressive towards other horses, and more tense than horses turned out 2 hours a day.

To remember

Awareness of the horse’s temperament is important when choosing one’s future horse, interacting with him in everyday life and work. Taking temperament into account also contributes to the horse’s well-being and the rider’s safety

The horse’s temperament, especially his emotivity, will influence his aptitude for the discipline he is chosen for. However it should be remembered that these connections are statistical, and exceptions exist. Temperament is only one aspect, there are other important factors such as conformation, paces, riding conditions and the horse’s environment, the latter two which can partly regulate temperament.