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Study: No Proof Horses Bond To Humans

Though many horse owners believe their horses are bonded to them, The Horse reports there's actually no scientific evidence demonstrating this.

Dr. Elke Hartmann of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences compared horse and human bonds to the bonding that occurs between dogs and humans. Dogs often consider their humans safe and will stay near them when they are afraid. Hartmann notes that horses may not express their attachment in the same ways dogs do, seeking them out in times of stress, or jumping on or playing with humans. We don't yet know what behaviors to look for demonstrating attachment from horses.

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Hartmann said evidence has shown that horses are often relaxed around humans with whom they are familiar, though this may depend on the type of training the horse receives from the human. To determine if positive reinforcement caused horses to bond with their trainers, Hartmann and a research team used 12 Standardbred school horses between five and 13 years old in a recent study. The horses had been trained for handling, riding and driving by students using negative reinforcement (meaning the release of pressure).

The horses were given tests using a familiar and an unfamiliar human, both before and after training which used different reinforcement models: negative reinforcement alone, negative reinforcement with food-based positive reinforcement, or negative reinforcement with wither-scratching positive reinforcement.

Hartmann reported that no matter the training method, all horses were calmer after the training, but in general, they showed little difference between the familiar trainer and the unfamiliar human.

Horses taking part in the obstacle course after training using wither scratching took significantly less time to complete the course when paired with the familiar trainer. The scientists believe that scratching may aid in the development of a horse-trainer bond since it's a mutual grooming technique.

Though humans who spend more time with their horses may develop attachments, Hartmann believes more work is needed to prove the phenomenon happens for the horse. Until then, Hartmann encourages humans to manage their equine relationship expectations. Horse owners shouldn't put themselves in dangerous situations because they feel the horse “loves” them and therefore won't harm them: A horse might not respond the way a bonded human would.

PHBA Endorses Amendment on Horse Slaughter

Edited Press Release

The Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association (PHBA) announced its endorsement of an amendment that would ban the transport of American slaughter-bound horses across both state lines and over country borders. The amendment, which was led by U.S. Representatives Troy Carter, Brian Fitzpatrick, and John Katko, will be offered to the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America Act, H.R.3684. Scheduled to be on the House floor in coming weeks, it would effectively ban horse slaughter in America.

The organization also supports the John Stringer Rainey Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act, and has a strict Anti-Slaughter Code of Ethics. The SAFE Act, named for the late South Carolina philanthropist and former director of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, is legislation that would

permanently end the slaughter of American horses for human consumption in the United States and abroad.

At the time of the SAFE Act's introduction, PHBA executive secretary Brian Sanfratello said, “The SAFE Act is one of three items we are working on. The others are Pennsylvania-specific anti-slaughter legislation, similar to the SAFE Act, that would make it a misdemeanor for anyone who causes or transports a horse into the slaughter pipeline, as well as a PHBA code of ethics, with sanctions for anyone who is a member or registers horses with our organization and is found to be in violation of the Pennsylvania anti-slaughter measures.”

The PHBA's Anti-Slaughter Code of Ethics, focused on the safety and welfare of the Thoroughbred, states that it is a condition of PHBA membership that every applicant signs a pledge not to knowingly cause a Thoroughbred horse to be slaughtered. Violating the rule results in being sanctioned by the PHBA with a $1,000 fine for the first violation, a $5,000 fine for the second, and a fine as well as complete revocation of Membership for five years after the third.

For additional information, contact Brian Sanfratello at 610-444-1050, or email at brians@pabred.com. Visit the PHBA's web site at www.pabred.com.

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Devon Horse Show And Country Fair Announces 2021 Cancellation

It is with deep disappointment that the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair (DHSCF) must announce the cancellation of the 125th edition of its event originally scheduled for May 27 to June 6, 2021. This decision was made only after significant evaluation of the far-reaching operational and financial implications due to on-going restrictions imposed by U.S. Equestrian (USEF) regarding spectators and other important issues at their sanctioned events. The organizers together with the Board of Directors evaluated multiple options, but were ultimately unable to operate under the current restrictions outlined by the sport's governing body.

Despite the DHSCF's many efforts to obtain information, the competition was told on April 5th that guidelines would not be available until “mid-May.” This time frame does not provide sufficient time to adequately plan and prepare for a show of the DHSCF's size and caliber. In fairness to the competitors, sponsors, ticket holders, vendors, volunteers and all others involved, the DHSCF believes that the decision to cancel is the best under the circumstances.

Although many other equestrian events are operating during this time, the DHSCF is uniquely tied to our local audience and spectator base and we did not feel that we could, in good faith, jeopardize future events for the sake of running this year against so many financial and operational challenges. This decision was made to protect the financial viability of the show for years to come.

In the coming weeks, the DHSCF and its organizers will be contacting all stakeholders with information regarding cancellation processes. The health and well-being of the entire DHSCF community is always of utmost importance, and while we believed we could run a safe and successful outdoor event, the lack of movement in attendance guidelines from USEF made it a financial impossibility even with significant fundraising efforts for the competition to continue in 2021.

The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair looks forward to celebrating its 125th anniversary during the competition in 2022! For additional information please visit our website at www.DevonHorseShow.net or follow us on our social media channels.

Keys To A Seamless Career Change, From Shedrow To Breeding Shed

Stallions that transition from the racetrack to the breeding shed must learn a whole new routine and lifestyle. The AQHA recently published a few tips to ease the potentially stressful transition and to keep the new stallion mentally and physically fit.

A horse that changes careers should have his feeding program evaluated to ensure he is receiving the right amount of calories for his work load. Though it may not be as physically intense as racing, a breeding career still requires adequate caloric intake to ensure horse health, which helps safeguard semen health as well.

When the stallion isn't actively breeding, his feeding program should again be evaluated and potentially reduced. An overweight stallion that is asked to breed has additional strain placed on his joints as he breeds a mare or mounts a dummy.

The way a horse behaves has a lot to do with the amount of activity the horse does and how many calories he burns off. Turnout is helpful to keep a horse mentally sound as it allows him to release tension from breeding in a less-structured program than ridden work. A horse that gets enough exercise is tractable and able to be handled both in the shed and on the ground.

A well-defined routine can be key to keeping a stallion happy and his handlers safe. Certain cues can be used to let a stallion know what's coming, whether that is turnout time or a trip to the shed; this helps him focus and gives him parameters of what is expected of him during each part of his day. The ability to separate “work” (the breeding shed) from “play” (turnout or ridden work) is important to prevent the horse from having to guess what's coming next and keeping a stallion mentally happy.