title: Physiological and Behavioral Responses of Horses to Wither Scratching and Patting the Neck When Under Saddle.
abstract: Riding is considered to be an arousing activity for horses. It has been suggested that wither scratching may be a more useful tool for relaxation compared with the common practice of neck patting. In the current study, 18 horses were exposed to 3 treatments, including control or no interaction, neck patting, and wither scratching, for 1 min each following a short obstacle course. Heart rate, heart rate variability, and a variety of behaviors were measured in the horses. Wither scratching produced a significantly longer duration of relaxed-type behaviors. Wither scratching could be a useful tool to help a horse relax while under saddle. Additionally, the study identified 2 ear positions that may be useful for future research in horse behavior.
authors.affiliation: a School of Animal and Veterinary Science, Charles Sturt University , Wagga Wagga , Australia.
authors.forename: Zoë W
authors.initials: ZW
authors.lastname: Thorbergson
authors.affiliation: b Quantitative Consulting Unit, School of Computing and Mathematics, Charles Sturt University , Wagga Wagga , Australia.
authors.forename: Sharon G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.affiliation: c Department of Human Development , California State University , San Marcos.
authors.forename: Rodney J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Beaulieu
authors.affiliation: a School of Animal and Veterinary Science, Charles Sturt University , Wagga Wagga , Australia.
authors.forename: Rebecca E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Doyle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006736:Horses / Q000523:psychology*; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck; D012063:Relaxation / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D012782:Shoulder; D013177:Sports; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology; D014110:Touch
keywords: Agitation; behavior; horse; welfare; wither scratching