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Equine Behavior and Management Survey

This questionnaire is designed to gather information about a single horse’s background, management, and behavior. Please complete one form per horse.
1.PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Sarah Matlock, Assistant Professor, Equine Sciences Program

STUDENT INVESTIGATOR(S): River Owen, Equine Sciences, Honors Thesis Project

WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?

For questions or concerns about the study, you may contact River Owen at Riley.Owen@colostate.edu. For questions regarding the rights of research subjects, any complaints or comments regarding the manner in which the study is being conducted, contact the CSU Institutional Review Board at: CSU_IRB@colostate.edu.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY?

The purpose of this study is to collect information from horse owners and leasers about horses’ type, management and environment on observed behavior. The goal is to gather data that can help researchers understand patterns in reported behavior across horses.

ARE THERE ANY BENEFITS FROM TAKING PART IN THIS STUDY?

While there are no direct benefits to you personally, your participation may contribute to a better understanding of patterns in horse behavior across different types, management and environment which can inform future research and educational resources for the equine community.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE RISKS AND DISCOMFORTS?

The risks of participating are minimal. Some participants may feel a small amount of discomfort or self-consciousness while answering survey questions. No personally identifiable information will be collected, and all responses will remain anonymous.

WILL I RECEIVE ANY COMPENSATION FOR TAKING PART IN THIS STUDY?

You will not be compensated for participating in this research.

WHO WILL SEE THE INFORMATION THAT I GIVE?

All information gathered in this study will be kept as confidential as possible. Your privacy is very important to us, and the researchers will take every measure to protect it. Because this survey is anonymous, no personally identifiable information (such as your name or email) will be collected, and your responses cannot be linked back to you.
No reference will be made in any written or oral materials that could identify you. Survey responses will be stored on a secure, password-protected SurveyMonkey account and later exported to a secure, encrypted storage location accessible only to the research team. Data will be retained for three years after the completion of the study and then permanently deleted.
The research team works to ensure confidentiality to the degree permitted by technology. It is possible, although unlikely, that unauthorized individuals could gain access to your responses because you are responding online. However, your participation in this online survey involves risks similar to a person’s everyday use of the internet.

DO I HAVE TO TAKE PART IN THE STUDY?

Your participation in this study is voluntary. You may refuse to participate in this study or in any part of this study. You may withdraw at any time without prejudice to your relations with CSU. You are encouraged to ask questions about this study at the beginning or any time during the research study.

Participant Consent:

By clicking “I consent”, you acknowledge that you have read the information provided above, understand the purpose and procedures of the study, and voluntarily agree to participate. Clicking “I consent” will move you to the survey. You may also print a copy of this consent information for your records.(Required.)
Section 1: Basic Information
2.Horse’s Name
3.Current Age:
4.Sex:
5.If a mare, do you notice behavior changes during heat cycles?
Section 2: Appearance and Type
6.Coat Color / Pattern:
7.Height (hands):
8.Breed(s):
Section 3: Background
9.How did this horse come to you?
10.Length of ownership:
11.Age when started and ridden under saddle:
Section 4: Equipment & Care
12.Has your horse ever been professionally saddle-fitted?
13.Challenges with saddle fit (select all that apply):
14.Feeding routine:
15.How often is your horse fed? (forage would include grass and/or hay)
Section 5: Experience and Training
16.Is this your first horse?
17.How many riders has this horse had in the past year?
18.Primary discipline / activity:
Section 6: Training & History
19.Has your horse ever…? (check all that apply)
20.How often is your horse ridden?
21.Have you encountered issues with this horse’s behavior or temperament? (If yes, give a few words to describe the issue.)
Section 7: Activities in the Past 6 Months
22.How often has this horse engaged in the following in the past 6 months?
Never
Occasionally
Monthly
Weekly
Daily
Not applicable
Lessons with trainer riding
Lessons with owner/student riding
Trail rides
Arena training
Groundwork
Liberty / round pen work
Trailer travel
Attending shows/events
Ridden by a beginner
Ridden by a professional
Ridden by men
Ridden by women
Ridden by children
Trained with food rewards
Section 8: Housing & Handling
23.Primary housing arrangement
24.Horse stands quietly for (check all that apply without sedation):
Section 9: Behavior Observations
25.When ridden or handled, does your horse…?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Usually
Always
Not applicable
Spook/startle to new sights
Spook/startle to new sounds
Need lunging/round penning before riding
Move away during mounting
Ignore cues to move
Ignore cues to slow or stop
Struggle to maintain pace
Toss head
Swish tail
Bite or bite threat
Pin ears at handler/rider
Buck
Rear
Bolt
26.On the lead rope in a familiar setting, your horse tends to:
27.Does your horse display any defensive/aggressive behaviors to correction or approach:
No signs of defensive/aggressive behavior.
Moderate defensive/aggressive behavior (pinning ears, tail swishing, threatening to bite/kick/strike
Serious defensive/aggressive behavior (actual biting/kicking/striking)
Not applicable.
On the ground with voice
Under saddle with voice
With leg or whip aid
Approached in paddock
Approached while tied
Approached in stall
Approached by unfamiliar people
Approached during feeding
Approached by other animals/dogs
Led toward another horse
Ridden toward another horse
Asked to move forward under saddle
While lunged
28.When separated from other horses, has your horse shown…?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Usually
Always
Not applicable
Trembling
Sweating
Running in pasture
Breaking through gates/fences
Pacing, circling, rearing in stall
Vocalizing
Pawing
29.Does your horse become more anxious when…?
30.Other behaviors observed
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Usually
Always
Not applicable
Cribbing/windsucking
Weaving and/or pacing
Chewing blankets (self or others)
Eating manure
Eating soil or sand
Dunking hay in water
Playing with water
Pawing while waiting for feed
Kicking at feeding time
Opening gates/latches
Head shaking (side to side)
Head tossing (up and down)
Licking and chewing
Groaning/grunting while ridden
Behind the vertical under saddle
Yawning during work
Yawing after work
Overly sensitive to touch
Lying down during work/handling
31.Time spent with other horses:
Section 10: Health & Routine Care
32.In the past year, how often has this horse had…?
Never
1–2 times
3–4 times
4–5 times
6+ times
Unsure
Dental care
Veterinary exams (non-routine)
Veterinary exams (routine)
Bodywork (massage, chiropractic, etc.)
Farrier trimming/shoeing
Hooves trimmed by non-farrier
Deworming
33.Handling behaviors
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Usually
Always
Not applicable
Comes when called in pasture
Avoids being caught
Tosses head when bridled/halter put on
Steps back during bridling/haltering
Tosses head when tack removed
Steps back when tack removed
Crowds handler while led
Pushes handler for food
34.Trailering behaviors
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Usually
Always
Not applicable
Loads easily
Unloads slowly
Rushes off trailer backward
Rushes into trailer
Falls inside trailer
Kicks inside trailer
Vocalizes during travel
Section 11: Time Together
35.Over the last 6 months, how often have you spent 20+ minutes on the ground with your horse? (this can include groundwork, grooming, petting, feeding, etc.)