A desired profile of horse personality – A survey study of Polish equestrians based on a new approach to equine temperament and character

Equine behaviour is crucial for all kinds of equestrian activities, and therefore behavioural traits are considered as selection criteria in horse breeding programs in many countries. Since neither a desired profile of equine personality for particular riding disciplines nor detailed preferences of different groups of equestrians have been clearly established, the aims of the present study were: personality model development, establishing of equestrians preferences regarding this model, and determination of general equestrians’ opinions on the subject. The personality model proposed here, based on the opinions of 16 experienced equestrians (two independent expert groups), classifies equine personality into temperament and character. Combining the results with existing human personality models we define temperament as simple, innate properties of the nervous system, whereas character includes complex features acquired through learning. Four dimensions were distinguished for temperament: energy (tEN), fearfulness (tFR), sensitivity (tSN), adaptability (tAD), and four other dimensions for character: submissiveness (cSB), aggression (cAG), human contact seeking (cCS) and self-reliance (cSR). These dimensions were used to establish a desired equine personality profile. A Survey on Equine Personality was completed by 701 women and 100 men, representing 15 professions and 10 disciplines. Respondents were of the opinion that psychological traits are equally important for success in equestrian sports as physical traits (Chi-square test: X=3.15; P=0.21). All dimensions were assessed as important or very important (Median≥4 on 1–5 scale). Our study not only refutes common beliefs that there is some mismatch between leisure and sport riders’ expectations, but also indicates in detail a desired personality profile which includes high tEN, tSN, tAD, cSB, cCS, cSR; low tFR and cAG, regardless a respondent’s discipline, age, gender, profession and level of experience or qualification. Respondents declared that present breeding selection for behavioural traits in Poland, lacking clear criteria like in Germany, is not efficient (X=478; P<0.0001). The proposed personality model was shown to be versatile and covered all important psychological traits. It was proposed that the breeding selection for equine personality should be based on personality profile that can be implemented regardless of the specific type of horse use.