Fifteen 2-year-old, bridle-naïve mares were encouraged to stretch their head forward across a 0. The horses showed significantly more conflict behaviour in the short rein treatment. Õpikud ja muud õppeotstarbelised publikatsioonid, v. High levels of rein tension will lead to expression of conflict behaviour and increases in heart rate. The horses applied significantly more tension on the first day mean rein tension: Rein tension correlated with expression of conflict behaviour, indicating that the horses found the tension aversive.

To investigate how much rein tension young inexperienced horses are willing to accept in order to obtain a food reward; whether the tension acceptance changes during 3 consecutive test days; and whether rein tension correlates with the expression of conflict behaviour and heart rate. Pressure-naïve horses will apply only little rein tension in the first voluntary trial, but their acceptance will gradually increase.

High levels of rein tension will lead to expression of conflict behaviour and increases in heart rate. Fifteen 2-year-old, bridle-naïve mares were encouraged to stretch their head forward across a 0. Rein tension, heart rate and behaviour were recorded.

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The horses applied significantly more tension on the first day mean rein tension: The horses showed significantly more conflict behaviour in the short rein treatment. There was no treatment effect on heart rate.

The horses applied the highest rein tension on the first day, and apparently learned to avoid the tension, rather than habituate to it. Rein tension correlated with expression of conflict behaviour, indicating that the horses found Stallion liige tension aversive.

Further studies should focus on the correlation between rein tension and conflict behaviour in ridden horses.