Impact of Horse Experience Level on Assessment of Equine Personality

Understanding a horse’s personality is vital to appropriately utilizing an animal. People with more equine experience are generally considered more capable of accurately assessing equine behavior, which is linked to personality. However, participants\u27 experience level with horses has not been considered within several instruments used to assess equine personality. This includes the Equine Personality Assessment (EPT) repeatedly validated in peer-reviewed publications. This study was designed to evaluate whether the experience level of the individual responding to the EPT altered their assessment of equine personality. It was hypothesized that those with more horse experience would respond differently than those with limited experience. The EPT survey was sent to 49 North Dakota State University individuals who fit the inclusion criteria. These included Equine Faculty (FAC; n=3), Equine Center Workers (ECE; n=12), and Equine Team Members (TEAM; n=37). TEAM members were grouped into 3 levels based on experience using Intercollegiate Horse Show Association divisions. Respondents were asked to complete the EPT for 3 horses common to all groups. Data was analyzed using the general linear model procedure of SAS. The response rate was 71.4% (n=35/49; ECE, n=7/12; TEAM, n=29/37; and FAC, n=3/3). Four respondents fit into multiple groups (ECE and TEAM). No difference was noted between respondent groups (P ≥ 0.09) or between experience levels (P ≥ 0.19). It must be noted that the sample size of this study was small and leaned heavily towards one group (TEAM). Therefore, it should be repeated with a larger subject group before making generalized conclusions. This research will serve as the foundation for a follow-up research project at Murray State University, which will compare personality assessment results and hair cortisol concentrations to gain knowledge on equine program fitness

The Student Movement Volume 108 Issue 20: Breaking News: Curfew is Now Sunset: Effective Immediately

HUMANS Chivalry Not Dead: Students Spotted in Shining Armor, Grace No Interview with the Breakfast Burrito, Interviewed by Regan McCain VeggieTales Cast: Hot Takes From the Fridge, Interviewed by Savannah Tyler ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Why the \u27Daughters of the Revolution\u27 Stay Mad, Madison Vath Jaws 6: The Jawsical, Corinna Bevier I UNDERSTAND MARY POPPINS\u27 ESSENCE MORE THAN THE FILM\u27S WRITERS, Nate Miller Pitagorical decision: Music Department opens Triangle Performance Major, Aiko J. Ayala Rivers Sabrina Carpenter Comes to Berrien, Reagan McCain NEWS Soccer (Football) Legend Lionel Messi to Visit Berrien County, Andrew Francis Satire: Severe Weather Stirs Mixed Emotions on Campus, Ana K. Zelidon The Fruits of Their Labor, Jonathan Clough IDEAS Curfew is Now Sunset, Abby Shim Lamson Hall: Summer Demolition Date Finalized, Bella Hamann Woof Woof, Abby Shim PULSE The Muppets: A Real-Life Musical, Anna Rybachek New Slogan: Seek Knowledge. Affirm Faith. Get a Tan!, Melissa Moore LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Nicholas Gunn LAST WORD The Beauty of Inconvenience, Abby Shimhttps://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/sm-108/1019/thumbnail.jp

Handler Experience and Horse Personality Assessment

Understanding a horse’s personality is vital to appropriately utilizing an animal. People with more equine experience are generally considered more capable of accurately assessing equine behavior, which is linked to personality. However, participants\u27 experience level with horses has not been considered within several instruments used to assess equine personality. This includes the Equine Personality Assessment (EPT) repeatedly validated in peer-reviewed publications. This study was designed to evaluate whether the experience level of the individual responding to the EPT altered their assessment of equine personality. It was hypothesized that those with more horse experience would respond differently than those with limited experience. The EPT survey was sent to 49 North Dakota State University individuals who fit the inclusion criteria. These included Equine Faculty (FAC; n=3), Equine Center Workers (ECE; n=12), and Equine Team Members (TEAM; n=37). TEAM members were grouped into 3 levels based on experience using Intercollegiate Horse Show Association divisions. Respondents were asked to complete the EPT for 3 horses common to all groups. Data was analyzed using the general linear model procedure of SAS. The response rate was 71.4% (n=35/49; ECE, n=7/12; TEAM, n=29/37; and FAC, n=3/3). Four respondents fit into multiple groups (ECE and TEAM). No difference was noted between respondent groups (P ≥ 0.09) or between experience levels (P ≥ 0.19). It must be noted that the sample size of this study was small and leaned heavily towards one group (TEAM). Therefore, it should be repeated with a larger subject group before making generalized conclusions. This research will serve as the foundation for a follow-up research project at Murray State University, which will compare personality assessment results and hair cortisol concentrations to gain knowledge on equine program fitness