Introduction

Human relationships or interactions with equids have varied throughout history depending on human needs. Our close involvement with equids is linked to their speed and strength and their ability to pull and carry loads. It is their ability to carry a human individual, however, that has perhaps had the greatest impact on their relationship with man (Clutton-Brock, 1992). An indication of the importance of the horse can been seen from its regular occurrence in art and literature. Today, although the use of horses for farm work and transport has declined in many developed countries, there has been an increasing interest in riding as a sport or a hobby in the last 40 years. In many developed countries the leisure horse population is possibly greater now than it has ever been. However, despite our long association with the horse and its current popularity, there have been few studies on human-horse relationships.