A scoping review of the current literature exploring the nature of the horse-human relationship

Clough, H.G .R.; Burford, J.H.; England, G.C.W.; Freeman, Sarah Louise

Abstract

Objective: To perform a scoping review of the current evidence on the horse-human relationship.

Background: The horse-human relationship has a significant impact on how horse owners care for and make decisions for their horse.

Evidentiary value: Identification of consensus and gaps in current evidence.

Methods: A literature search was performed in CAB Abstracts and Medline using search terms relating to the nature of the horse-human relationship in horses used for pleasure riding. Publications were reviewed against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Original qualitative or observational research studies relating to the relationship between a horse and owner were analysed. Data were extracted on study method and population characteristics.

Results: There were 4,481 studies identified; 27 studies were included in the final data extraction. The studies covered 11 different areas, the most frequent were effect of humans on equine behaviour (5/27), equine training methods and behaviour (4/27) and horses within sport and leisure (4/27). A range of methodologies were used, with the most frequent being thematic analysis (6/27 studies), use of an instrument, tool or scale (3/27) and behavioural scoring (4/27). The majority of studies considered the human’s perspective (20/27), six considered the horse perspective and one considered both the horse and human perspective. No studies investigated the same or similar aims or objectives.

Conclusion: The current evidence on the horse-human relationship is diverse and heterogenous, which limits the strength of evidence for any particular area.

Application: Future research should focus on developing reliable and repeatable tools to assess owner motivations and horse-human relationship, to develop a body of evidence.

Citation

Clough, H. .., Burford, J., England, G., & Freeman, S. L. (2019). A scoping review of the current literature exploring the nature of the horse-human relationship. Veterinary Evidence, 4(4), https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v4i4.240

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 26, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Nov 20, 2019
• Publication Date: Nov 20, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jul 16, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 17, 2019
• Journal: Veterinary Evidence
• Electronic ISSN: 2396-9776
• Publisher: RCVS Knowledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 4
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v4i4.240
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2311609
• Publisher URL: https://www.veterinaryevidence.org/index.php/ve/article/view/240
• Contract Date: Jul 16, 2019