Hartpury University Repository

Taylor, Sienna

Madden, Joah

English

The effect of pet remedy on the behaviour of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris)

Oxley, James A.

Montrose, V. Tamara

High-rise Syndrome in Cats

Dumbell, Lucy

Lewis, Victoria

Taking the reins: communication strategies to prompt change in riders' training practices.

De Martin Silva, Luciana

Mesquita, Isabel

How do sports coaching students learn? A longitudinal study in the Higher Education context in the UK.

de Haan, Donna

Equestrian Sport at the Olympic Games from 1900 to 1948

Laposse-Madero, S.

Michaels, Jeremy

Evaluation of current warm up and stretching routines in equestrian riders prior to mounting their horse

Seery, T.

Dobson, Andrew

The effects of ingesting an isocaloric carbohydrate protein drink versus chocolate milk on endurance cycling capacity in male collegiate athletes

Feldman, Marc D.

Pets and Human Suicide

Dumbell, L.

Lewis, V.L.

Taking the reins: communication strategies to prompt change in riders’ training practices 
Dumbell & Lewis 
Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2016.08.042 
 
 
TAKING THE REINS: COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES TO PROMPT CHANGE IN RIDERS’ TRAINING 
PRACTICES 
L. Dumbell1* and V. L. Lewis1 
1Performance in Equestrian Sport Research Group, Hartpury University Centre, Hartpury,  
Gloucestershire, GL19 3BE, UK 
*Corresponding author: lucy.dumbell@hartpury.ac.uk 
Education programmes have been shown to have immediate outcomes in learning, skill 
development and positive behaviour change and positive long-term effects. This study explored 
what communication strategy might encourage educated riders to try a new training practice. Semi-
structured interviews of eight riders currently employed as higher education educators were 
conducted. Interviews covered the communication format, the communicator’s characteristics and 
the information approach that would encourage the participant to try a new training approach. 
Themes were identified using thematic content analysis without third-party verification. Participants 
felt that they would be most likely to try a new approach within a self-initiated personal training 
situation (personal exposure). They were unlikely to try something where they had not viewed the 
effects, either through personal experience or a demonstration (either live or video) (viewing the 
effects). The communicator had to inspire trust (trust) and all participants valued practical 
experience although its form varied between participants (experience). If participants already had 
prior positive knowledge of the communicator or the information they would be more likely to try a 
new training approach (previous exposure). To be tried, a training approach should be 
complementary to already held knowledge and experience (complementary) and framed within a 
context of personal relevance, e.g. holding a problem’s solution (context). These findings suggest a 
challenging strategy of personal and visual, resonant communication methods at a relevant moment 
is required if the ISES Principles of training are to be widely adopted. 
Keywords: communication; equine; education; experience; training. 
 


Taking the reins: Communication strategies to prompt change in riders’ training practices

The Effect of Pet Remedy on the Behaviour of the Domestic Dog
Sienna Taylor1* and Joah Madden2, 
1Animal Behavior and Welfare Research Group, Department of Animal and Land Sciences, Hartpury University 
Centre, Hartpury, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom GL19 3BE UK
2University of Exeter, Washington Singer Building, Perry Road, Exeter, EX4 4QG UK
* Sienna.Taylor@Hartpury.ac.uk
References
[1] Arnold, G. W., S. R. Wallace, et al. (1981). "Associations between Individuals and Home-Range Behaviour in Natural Flocks of 3 Breeds of Domestic Sheep." Applied Animal Ethology 7(3): 239-257.
[2] Kendrick, K. M., A. P. da Costa, et al. (2001). "Sheep don't forget a face." Nature 414(6860): 165-166.
[3] Michelena, P., J. Gautrais, et al. (2008). "Social cohesion in groups of sheep: Effect of activity level, sex composition and group size." Applied Animal Behaviour Science 112(1-2): 81-93.
References
Fatjó, J., Ruiz-de-la-Torre, J. L., & Manteca, X. (2006) The epidemiology of behavioural problems in dogs and cats: A survey of veterinary 
practitioners. Animal Welfare. 15, pp. 179-185.
Tod, E., Brander, D., & Waran, N. (2005) Efficacy of dog appeasing pher one in reducing stress nd fear relat d behaviour in sh lter dogs. 
Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 93, pp. 295-308.
We thank all of the participants who allowed their dogs to take part in this study. This research was conducted as part of an MSc by ST, funded by Unex Designs Ltd.
Introduction
Stress affecting behaviour in companion animals can have an adverse effect on animal health and
welfare and their relationships with humans (Fatjó et al., 2006). This stress can be addressed using
chemical treatments, often in conjunction with behavioural therapies. Pet Remedy, a natural valerian
based stress relief product for mammals (Figure 1) is commercially available on the market but its
efficacy has yet to be scientifically tested in dogs using a placebo-controlled trial. The aim of the study
was to explore whether Pet Remedy lowered anxious behaviour in dogs placed in a novel environment
compared to a placebo product.
Materials and Methods
• 28 mixed breed dogs placed in a novel “stressful” environment.
• Repeated measures, randomized order, double blind, placebo controlled trial.
• 3m x 3m enclosed room.
• Exposed to a placebo and Pet Remedy plug-in diffuser for 30 minutes with intervening
period of 7 days between treatments.
• Behaviour video recorded without the presence of the owner (Figure 2). 
• Observer screened at all times. 
• Behaviours categorised into anxious and relaxed behaviour categories (adapted from Tod et
al., 2005). Number of occurrences and durations recorded.
• Data were analysed by principal component analysis (PCA) and paired t-tests.
Results
Dogs exposed to Pet Remedy exhibited significantly higher overall levels of a composite measure of locomotory activity (M=0.18,
SD=0.98) including locomotion (Figure 3), standing hind paws, rear and wall bounce than when exposed to the placebo across the
entire 30 minute period; t(27) = 2.16, P = 0.041. Significantly lower occurrences of event-based yawning behaviour (Figure 4) (M=0.03,
SD=0.06) were also exhibited in the Pet Remedy condition in comparison to the placebo; t(27) = 2.44, P = 0.021. No test order effects
were observed.
Discussion
Dogs that display suppressed behaviour when exposed to acute novel environments may in particular benefit from Pet Remedy with
the product stimulating locomotory activity whilst also reducing anxious yawning behaviour. However, it is particularly important that
treatment choice is selected on a case by case basis depending on how individual dogs react to stressful situations. In cases where
stress manifests itself in lethargy, Pet Remedy may provide a useful tool for reducing the occurrence of some behaviours associated
with anxiety.
Figure 1: Pet Remedy plug in 
diffuser.
Mean Duration of Locomotion Number of Occurrences of Yawning
Figure 2: Dogs behaviour was video recorded.
Figure 3: The mean duration of locomotion (± S.E.) for both the active Pet 
Remedy and placebo treatments across the entire 30 minute period. 
Figure 4: The number of occurrences of yawning (± S.E.) for 
both the active Pet Remedy and placebo treatments across 
the entire 30 minute period. 
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The effect of Pet Remedy on the behaviour of the domestic dog

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