{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T12:14:44Z","timestamp":1788956084006,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":55,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"11","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2020,10,28]],"date-time":"2020-10-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1603843200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Animals"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ) was developed to obtain quantitative data on the domestic equine triad: training, management and behaviour. It can be taken repeatedly, thus collecting longitudinal data to enable evaluation of how changes in a horse\u2019s training and management are reflected in that horse\u2019s behaviour over time and how these changes can impact horse welfare in the longer term. Questionnaire validation and reliability were tested by determining (a) whether an owner\u2019s subjective ratings of their horse\u2019s problematic behaviours or undesirable temperament traits were reflected in the questionnaire scores obtained for that horse (construct validity), (b) whether two respondents, equally familiar with a particular horse, reported comparable scores for that horse through the questionnaire (inter-rater reliability), and (c) whether the same respondent, scoring the same horse after a known interval of time, recorded similar responses (intra-rater reliability). Construct validity testing of 1923 responses showed significant alignment between owners\u2019 reported experience of focal horses\u2019 behaviour and those horses\u2019 E-BARQ scores, with scores varying from 1.13 to 1.34 for ridden horse behaviour (all p &lt; 0.001) and from 1.06 to 1.43 for non-ridden horse behaviour (all p &lt; 0.001). Inter-rater reliability testing of ten horse\u2013rider pairs revealed that 203 of the 215 question items were significantly aligned (p &lt; 0.001) when tested by two independent raters. Of the remaining 19 items, four had fair alignment (\u0138 = 0.174\u20130.316; p = 0.281) and ten items, largely related to whether the horse shows behavioural signs related to anxiety when taken away from home, did not align (\u0138 = 0; p = 1). Intra-rater reliability tests showed that the responses significantly aligned on all 215 question items tested (p &lt; 0.001). The results of these tests confirmed the construct validity and reliability of E-BARQ as a standardised behavioural assessment tool for horses.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ani10111982","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2020,10,29]],"date-time":"2020-10-29T21:21:00Z","timestamp":1604006460000},"page":"1982","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":18,"title":["Validation of the Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ): A New Survey Instrument for Exploring and Monitoring the Domestic Equine Triad"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"10","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0649-3278","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kate","family":"Fenner","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sarah","family":"Matlock","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Equine Sciences Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0695-3828","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jane","family":"Williams","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Equine Department, Hartpury University, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Bethany","family":"Wilson","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6971-7961","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Andrew","family":"McLean","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Equitation Science International, 3 Wonderland Ave, Tuerong, VIC 3915, Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2826-1187","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"James","family":"Serpell","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7220-8378","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Paul","family":"McGreevy","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2020,10,28]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"86","DOI":"10.1111\/j.2042-3306.1995.tb03041.x","article-title":"Management factors associated with stereotypic and redirected behaviour in the Thoroughbred horse","volume":"27","author":"McGreevy","year":"1995","journal-title":"Equine Vet. J."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Weiss, E., Dolan, E., Mohan-Gibbons, H., Gramann, S., and Slater, M. (2017). Estimating the availability of potential homes for unwanted horses in the united states. Animals, 7.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani7070053"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"186","DOI":"10.1016\/j.applanim.2011.06.012","article-title":"Variables affecting the prevalence of behavioural problems in horses. Can riding style and other management factors be significant?","volume":"133","author":"Normando","year":"2011","journal-title":"Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"15","DOI":"10.1111\/j.2042-3306.2012.00567.x","article-title":"The use of equipment and training practices and the prevalence of owner-reported ridden behaviour problems in UK leisure horses","volume":"45","author":"Hockenhull","year":"2013","journal-title":"Equine Vet. J."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"49","DOI":"10.1016\/j.applanim.2014.02.014","article-title":"Management practices associated with owner-reported stable-related and handling behaviour problems in UK leisure horses","volume":"155","author":"Hockenhull","year":"2014","journal-title":"Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"36","DOI":"10.1016\/j.applanim.2012.01.007","article-title":"Equipment and training risk factors associated with ridden behaviour problems in UK leisure horses","volume":"137","author":"Hockenhull","year":"2012","journal-title":"Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"196","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jveb.2010.04.001","article-title":"Ethical equitation: Applying a cost-benefit approach","volume":"5","author":"Jones","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Vet. Behav. Clin. Appl. Res."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"187","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jveb.2010.04.002","article-title":"Horse-training techniques that may defy the principles of learning theory and compromise welfare","volume":"5","author":"McLean","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Vet. Behav. Clin. Appl. Res."},{"key":"ref_9","unstructured":"McGreevy, P., and Boakes, R. (2007). Carrots and Sticks\u2014Principles of Animal Training, Cambridge University Press."},{"key":"ref_10","unstructured":"ISES (2020, October 24). Position Statement on the Use\/Misuse of Leadership and Dominance Concepts in Horse Training (2017). Available online: https:\/\/equitationscience.com\/equitation\/position-statement-on-the-use-misuse-of-leadership-and-dominance-concepts-in-horse-training."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"88","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jveb.2018.05.003","article-title":"Cutting to the chase: How round-pen, lunging and high-speed liberty work may compromise horse welfare","volume":"29","author":"Fenner","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Vet. Behav. Clin. Appl. Res."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"249","DOI":"10.1080\/10888700802101130","article-title":"Is There Evidence of Learned Helplessness in Horses?","volume":"11","author":"Hall","year":"2008","journal-title":"J. Appl. Anim. Welf. Sci."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"487","DOI":"10.2746\/095777309X383883","article-title":"Effects of different forms of exercise on post inhibitory rebound and unwanted behaviour in stabled horses","volume":"41","author":"Freire","year":"2009","journal-title":"Equine Vet. J."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"193","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jveb.2008.08.001","article-title":"Punishment in horse-training and the concept of ethical equitation","volume":"4","author":"McGreevy","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Vet. Behav. Clin. Appl. Res."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"31","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jveb.2010.08.020","article-title":"Does attention make the difference? Horses\u2019 response to human stimulus after 2 different training strategies","volume":"6","author":"Baragli","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Vet. Behav. Clin. Appl. Res."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"301","DOI":"10.2752\/175303712X13403555186217","article-title":"A comparison of the Monty Roberts technique with a conventional UK technique for initial training of riding horses","volume":"25","author":"Fowler","year":"2015","journal-title":"Anthrozoos"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"34","DOI":"10.1016\/j.applanim.2014.06.006","article-title":"Behaviour of horses in a judgment bias test associated with positive or negative reinforcement","volume":"158","author":"Freymond","year":"2014","journal-title":"Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"202","DOI":"10.1016\/j.beproc.2009.06.012","article-title":"A preliminary study of the effects of handling type on horses\u2019 emotional reactivity and the human\u2013horse relationship","volume":"82","author":"Fureix","year":"2009","journal-title":"Behav. Process."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"56","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tvjl.2009.03.011","article-title":"Effects on behaviour and rein tension on horses ridden with or without martingales and rein inserts","volume":"181","author":"Heleski","year":"2009","journal-title":"Vet. J."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"245","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jveb.2012.06.002","article-title":"Training horses: Positive reinforcement, positive punishment, and ridden behavior problems","volume":"8","author":"Hockenhull","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Vet. Behav. Clin. Appl. Res."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"357","DOI":"10.1016\/j.applanim.2007.08.011","article-title":"Negative versus positive reinforcement: An evaluation of training strategies for rehabilitated horses","volume":"112","author":"Innes","year":"2008","journal-title":"Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"142","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jveb.2011.08.001","article-title":"The effect of double bridles and jaw-clamping crank nosebands on temperature of eyes and facial skin of horses","volume":"7","author":"McGreevy","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Vet. Behav. Clin. Appl. Res."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"822","DOI":"10.1017\/S1751731112002327","article-title":"Physiological and behavioral responses of horses during police training","volume":"7","author":"Munsters","year":"2013","journal-title":"Anim. Int. J. Anim. Biosci."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"169","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jveb.2008.12.001","article-title":"Preliminary investigations of horses\u2019 responses to different foundation training","volume":"4","author":"Quick","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Vet. Behav."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"263","DOI":"10.1207\/s15327604jaws0604_1","article-title":"Trailer Loading Stress in Horses: Behavioral and Physiological Effects of Nonaversive Training (TTEAM)","volume":"6","author":"Shanahan","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Appl. Anim. Welf. Sci."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"825","DOI":"10.1111\/evj.12831","article-title":"The use of a rein tension device to compare different training methods for neck flexion in base-level trained Warmblood horses at the walk","volume":"50","author":"Veen","year":"2018","journal-title":"Equine Vet. J."},{"key":"ref_27","first-page":"1104","article-title":"Management of Horses with Focus on Blanketing and Clipping Practices Reported by Members of the Swedish and Norwegian Equestrian community","volume":"95","author":"Hartmann","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Anim. Sci."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105","DOI":"10.1016\/j.applanim.2003.12.010","article-title":"Group housing exerts a positive effect on the behaviour of young horses during training","volume":"87","author":"Ladewig","year":"2004","journal-title":"Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"22","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jevs.2011.06.009","article-title":"Competition Horses Housed in Single Stalls (II): Effects of Free Exercise on the Behavior in the Stable, the Behavior during Training, and the Degree of Stress","volume":"32","author":"Werhahn","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Equine Vet. Sci."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"30","DOI":"10.1017\/S0022029917000723","article-title":"Effects of management practices on the welfare of dairy donkeys and risk factors associated with signs of hoof neglect","volume":"85","author":"Dai","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Dairy Res."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jveb.2018.08.007","article-title":"Behavioral, demographic and management influences on equine responses to negative reinforcement","volume":"29","author":"Fenner","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Vet. Behav. Clin. Appl. Res"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gronqvist, G., Rogers, C., and Gee, E. (2016). The Management of Horses during Fireworks in New Zealand. Animals, 6.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani6030020"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"29","DOI":"10.7120\/09627286.24.1.029","article-title":"The day-to-day management of UK leisure horses and the prevalence of owner-reported stable-related and handling behaviour problems","volume":"24","author":"Hockenhull","year":"2015","journal-title":"Anim. Welf."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Leme, D.P., Parsekian, A.B.H., Kanaan, V., and H\u00f6tzel, M.J. (2014). Management, health, and abnormal behaviors of horses: A survey in small equestrian centers in Brazil. J. Vet. Behav. Clin. Appl. Res.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jveb.2014.01.004"},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"92","DOI":"10.1016\/j.applanim.2010.11.005","article-title":"Housing conditions and breed are associated with emotionality and cognitive abilities in riding school horses","volume":"129","author":"Lesimple","year":"2011","journal-title":"Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105","DOI":"10.1016\/j.applanim.2016.04.015","article-title":"How to keep your horse safe? An epidemiological study about management practices","volume":"181","author":"Lesimple","year":"2016","journal-title":"Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"175","DOI":"10.1016\/S0168-1591(02)00095-3","article-title":"How reliable is temperament assessment in the domestic horse (Equus caballus)?","volume":"78","author":"Seaman","year":"2002","journal-title":"Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1073","DOI":"10.2460\/javma.252.9.1073","article-title":"Development and psychometric testing of the Canine Owner-Reported Quality of Life questionnaire, an instrument designed to measure quality of life in dogs with cancer","volume":"252","author":"Giuffrida","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Am. Vet. Med Assoc."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"195","DOI":"10.1108\/10662240510590360","article-title":"The Value of Online Surveys","volume":"15","author":"Evans","year":"2005","journal-title":"Internet Res."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fenner, K., Dashper, K., Wilkins, C., Serpell, J., McLean, A., Wilson, B., and McGreevy, P. (2020). Building Bridges between Theory and Practice: How Citizen Science Can Bring Equine Researchers and Practitioners Together. Animals, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani10091644"},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fenner, K., Hyde, M., Crean, A., and McGreevy, P. (2020). Identifying Sources of Potential Bias When Using Online Survey Data to Explore Horse Training, Management, and Behaviour: A Systematic Literature Review. Vet. Sci., 7.","DOI":"10.3390\/vetsci7030140"},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"329","DOI":"10.1016\/j.beproc.2017.02.010","article-title":"Development and evaluation of the Fe-BARQ: A new surveyinstrument for measuring behavior in domestic cats (Felis s. catus)","volume":"141","author":"Duffy","year":"2017","journal-title":"Behav. Process."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"108","DOI":"10.1016\/j.applanim.2010.01.013","article-title":"Development and validation of a questionnaire for measuring behavior and temperament traits in pet dogs","volume":"123","author":"Hsu","year":"2003","journal-title":"Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci."},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"205","DOI":"10.1016\/j.applanim.2006.05.017","article-title":"Evaluation of a novel method of horse personality assessment: Rater-agreement and links to behaviour","volume":"105","author":"Lloyd","year":"2007","journal-title":"Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"673","DOI":"10.1080\/08927936.2018.1529349","article-title":"The anthropomorphic application of human-based gender stereotypes to animals","volume":"31","author":"Dashper","year":"2018","journal-title":"Anthrozoos"},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fenner, K., Caspar, G., Hyde, M., Henshall, C., Dhand, N., Probyn-Rapsey, F., Dashper, K., McLean, A., and McGreevy, P. (2019). It\u2019s all about the sex, or is it? Humans, horses and temperament. PLoS ONE, 14.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0216699"},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Liu, J., Qu, B., Hu, B., Jing, N., and Wang, D. (2013). The quality of life of men who have sex with men in china: Reliability and validity testing of the SF-36 questionnaire. PLoS ONE, 8.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0083362"},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fenner, K., Dashper, K., Serpell, J., McLean, A., Wilkins, C., Klinck, M., Wilson, B., and McGreevy, P. (2020). The development of a novel questionnaire approach to the investigation of horse training, management, and behaviour. Animals, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani10111960"},{"key":"ref_49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Venables, W., and Ripley, B. (2002). Modern Applied Statistics with S, Springer. [4th ed.].","DOI":"10.1007\/978-0-387-21706-2"},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"276","DOI":"10.11613\/BM.2012.031","article-title":"Interrater reliability: The kappa statistic","volume":"22","author":"McHugh","year":"2012","journal-title":"Biochem. Med."},{"key":"ref_51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hohlbaum, K., Corte, G., Humpenoder, M., Roswitha, M., and Thone-Reineke, C. (2020). Reliability of the Mouse Grimace Scale in C57BL\/6JRj Mice. Animals, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani10091648"},{"key":"ref_52","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"26","DOI":"10.1111\/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05152.x","article-title":"The development of equestrianism from the baroque period to the present day and its consequences for the welfare of horses","volume":"31","author":"Odberg","year":"1999","journal-title":"Equine Vet. J."},{"key":"ref_53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"70","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tvjl.2009.03.013","article-title":"Investigating horse\u2013human interactions: The effect of a nervous human","volume":"181","author":"Keeling","year":"2009","journal-title":"Vet. J."},{"key":"ref_54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"329","DOI":"10.1136\/inp.l4845","article-title":"Managing difficult behaviour in horses","volume":"41","author":"Pearson","year":"2019","journal-title":"Practise"},{"key":"ref_55","first-page":"40","article-title":"On Best Behaviour for Vet and Farrier Visits","volume":"45","year":"2012","journal-title":"Horse Sport"}],"container-title":["Animals"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/10\/11\/1982\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T10:30:03Z","timestamp":1760178603000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/10\/11\/1982"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2020,10,28]]},"references-count":55,"journal-issue":{"issue":"11","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2020,11]]}},"alternative-id":["ani10111982"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ani10111982","relation":{},"ISSN":["2076-2615"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2076-2615","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2020,10,28]]}}}