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Article 

Horse Personality Simplified: A Scientific Approach to Equine 
Temperament 
Dan Manolăchescu 1, Mirela Tripon 1,* ,Cristian Crecan 1 ,Zsofia Daradics 1 ,Ionel Papuc 1 

1 University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Manastur 3-5 Street, 
Cluj-Napoca, Cluj, Ro dan.manolachescu@student.usamvcluj.ro (D.M.), mirela.tripon@usamvcluj.ro (M.T.), cris-
tian.crecan@usamvcluj.ro (C.C), zsofia.daradics@usamvcluj.ro (Z.D.), ionel.papuc@usamvcluj.ro (I.P.)   

  * Correspondence: mirela.tripon@usamvcluj.ro (M.T.); Tel.: 0040728828748  

Abstract: The article titled "Horse Personality Simplified: A Scientific Approach to Equine Temperament" discusses the complex-
ity of horse personality and its significance in training, welfare, and human-horse interactions. The study aims to propose a 
simplified classification of horse personality into four types: energetic/reliable, energetic/unreliable, passive/reliable, and pas-
sive/unreliable. Using a systematic literature review, the authors identified 24 key behavioral traits commonly used to describe 
horse temperament. A questionnaire was administered to horse handlers and veterinarians to evaluate the correlation between 
these traits and the proposed personality types.The results suggest that horse personality can be effectively categorized using 
these four types, based on behavioral traits such as energy level and reliability in response to humans. This model offers a practical 
framework for improving human-horse relationships, facilitating safer and more efficient handling, and optimizing training and 
care strategies. The study also emphasizes the potential for future research to explore physiological correlations with these per-
sonality types, such as heart rate variability and hormonal changes, to further understand horse temperament. The authors con-
clude that this simplified approach provides a useful tool for veterinarians, equestrian professionals, and researchers, offering a 
straightforward method for assessing horse behavior and temperament in various contexts. 

Keywords: equine, behavior, personality, temperament. 
 

 

1. Introduction 
Horse personality is a complex and multifaceted subject that has garnered increasing 

attention in the fields of ethology, veterinary science, and equine psychology. Just as in 
humans, personality in horses refers to the consistent patterns of behavior, emotion, and 
interaction that characterize individual animals. Understanding these personality traits is 
crucial for improving training methods, enhancing animal welfare, and fostering effective 
human-horse relationships [1].Horses, as social animals, exhibit a wide range of person-
ality traits, influenced by genetic, environmental, and social factors [2]. 

Research indicates that horse personality can manifest in various dimensions, such 
as sociability, competitiveness, and emotional reactivity. These traits not only affect a 
horse's behavior in social settings and during training but also have implications for their 
health and well-being. For example, horses with more docile personalities may respond 
better to conventional training techniques, while those with higher reactivity may require 
more specialized approaches [3]. Studies suggest that genetic factors play a significant 
role in determining personality traits in horses. Selective breeding for specific traits has 
influenced temperament, with certain breeds exhibiting more docile or more spirited be-
haviors [1]. 

Early experiences, such as handling and socialization during the critical develop-
mental stages, are vital in shaping a horse's personality. Studies have shown that positive 
interactions with humans and other equines can enhance confidence and reduce anxiety, 

Received: 30.09.2024 

Accepted: 23.12.2024 

Published: 31.12.2024 

DOI: 10.52331/v29i4710 

 

 

 

Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. 

Submitted for possible open access 

publication under the terms and 

conditions of the Creative Commons 

Attribution (CC BY) license 

(http://creativecommons.org/licenses

/by/4.0/). 

mailto:dan.manolachescu@student.usamvcluj.ro
mailto:mirela.tripon@usamvcluj.ro
mailto:cristian.crecan@usamvcluj.ro
mailto:cristian.crecan@usamvcluj.ro
mailto:zsofia.daradics@usamvcluj.ro
mailto:ionel.papuc@usamvcluj.ro
mailto:mirela.tripon@usamvcluj.ro


Cluj Vet J 2024, vol 29, issue 4 3 of 38 
 

 

leading to healthier behavioral profiles [4]. Conversely, negative experiences can lead to fearful or aggressive 
tendencies, which can complicate training and care [2]. Horses are herd animals, and their personality can 
be affected by their social environment. The establishment of hierarchies within a group can influence indi-
vidual behavior [5]. It's essential to note that a horse's physical health can also impact its personality. Pain, 
discomfort, or illness can lead to behavioral changes, such as aggression or withdrawal. Thus, a comprehen-
sive understanding of horse personality must take into account their physical health and emotional well-
being [6]. Moreover, understanding horse personality has practical applications beyond training; it can in-
form breeding decisions, herd management practices, and therapeutic approaches in equine-assisted activi-
ties [2]. As equestrian sports and therapy programs grow in popularity, recognizing the individuality of 
horses becomes essential to optimize their performance and ensure their well-being [1]. Several methods 
have been developed to assess horse personality scientifically. One widely-used approach is the Horse Per-
sonality Questionnaire (HPQ), which evaluates horses based on five personality traits: Agreeableness, Neu-
roticism, Extroversion, Gregariousness towards People, and Gregariousness towards Horse [3]. Observa-
tional studies in natural and controlled settings also contribute to understanding how horses respond to 
different stimuli and social situations [6]. 

Innovative research has employed tools such as behavioral tests, where horses are exposed to novel 
objects or scenarios to evaluate their reactions. These observations can help categorize personalities into 
similar profiles, facilitating more effective management and training practices aligned with each horse's 
unique characteristics [5]. Understanding horse personality has profound implications for training and be-
havior management. Trainers who recognize and respect a horse’s personality traits can tailor their training 
methods to align with the horse's natural tendencies, thereby improving learning outcomes and enhancing 
the horse’s well-being [4]. 

For example, a horse that is naturally curious may thrive in a training regimen that involves exploration 
and problem-solving, while a more anxious horse might benefit from a gradual desensitization approach 
[2]. Moreover, acknowledging personality can help foster better relationships between horses and their han-
dlers. Horses that are understood through the lens of their individual personalities are more likely to develop 
trust and rapport with humans, leading to safer and more enjoyable interactions, whether in recreational 
riding, competitive sports, or therapeutic settings [6]. 

However, the multitude of behavioral traits used to describe horse personality make it difficult to cate-
gorize them as clearly as human personality types, such as choleric, sanguine, melancholic, and phlegmatic. 
The aim of this study was to propose a standardized nomenclature of horse personality types by merging 
all characteristics found throughout literature into only four types: energetic/reliable, energetic/unreliable, 
passive/reliable, and passive/unreliable. 

2. Materials and Methods 
Study design 

The study was designed in two stages. In the first stage we performed a thorough research of the liter-
ature in order to determine the most common behavioral traits attributed to horses by other scientists in 
their studies. Secondly, we created a questionnaire comprising the most common behavioral traits identified 
and asked respondents to assign behavioral traits with four personality types. Lastly, we analyzed data to 
detect whether there is consensus among the responders and if horse personality could be easily described 
by only four personality types.  
Literature research 

We performed a systematic search of the literature using the key words horse, personality, traits, tem-
perament and we were able to summarize the behavioral traits used by other researchers to define horse 
personality.  
Questionnaire 

Questionnaires were administered online via a secure survey platform (Typeform) to facilitate ease of 
access and data management. Data were collected electronically and checked for completeness and con-
sistency before analysis. All data were anonymized and securely stored in accordance with ethical research 
guidelines and data protection regulations. 



Cluj Vet J 2024, vol 29, issue 4 4 of 38 
 

 

The participants were asked to associate (match/assign) as many behavioral traits they considered (table 
1) with the proposed temperament types 1. energetic&reliable 2. energetic&unreliable 3. passive&reliable 4. 
passive&unreliable. 

The questionnaire encompasses two types of questions: one is related to the level of energy  (Energetic 
& Passive) and the other to the reactivity to humans (Reliable & Unreliable). 

The questionnaire was sent to 1300 subjects covering the areas of interest in first time human-horse 
encounter (FTHHE) : (1) students from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Faculty of Animal Sciences 
from USAMV Cluj-Napoca, Romania (2) veterinarians, members of Romanian Equine Veterinarian Associ-
ation  and (3) people involved in horse handling, riding, training, and breeding from  78 equestrian facili-
ties in Romania. The questionnaire is represented in Table 1. 

 
Table 1. The questionnaire distributed to respondents listed each of the 24 behavioral traits used to 

describe horse behavior in the literature, with each trait displayed in a row on the left. Participants were 
asked to assign each behavioral trait to one of the personality types listed in the first row using the online 

platform, TypeForm.   

  Energe

tic / 

reliabl

e 

Energet

ic / 

unrelia

ble 

Passi

ve / 

relia

ble 

Pasive / 

unrelia

ble 

1 Intelligen

t 
    

2 Calm     

3 Energetic     

4 Slow     

5 Skittish     

6 Dominan

t 
    

7 Anxious     

8 Attentive     

9 Friendly     

1

0 

Reactive     

1

1 

Solitary     

1

2 

Tensed      



Cluj Vet J 2024, vol 29, issue 4 5 of 38 
 

 

 

3. Results 
3.1. Literature research 

We conducted a comprehensive review of 80 papers, identifying 24 commonly cited behavioral traits 
used by the authors. The selection of these traits was based on their frequency of occurrence across the liter-
ature. Each of the identified traits appeared more than 10 times in relation to horse temperament, indicating 
their relevance and significance in the field. 

1

3 

Suspicio

us  
    

1

4 

Patient     

1

5 

Obedient     

1

6 

Stubborn     

1

7 

Cautious     

1

8 

Reliable     

1

9 

Aggressi

ve 
    

2

0 

Fearfull     

2

1 

Nervous     

2

2 

Social     

2

3 

Cooperat

ive 
    

2

4 

Intelligen

t 
    



Cluj Vet J 2024, vol 29, issue 4 6 of 38 
 

 

3.2. Questionnaire 

Out of the 1,300 questionnaires distributed, 1,260 were validated as complete and correctly filled. The results are 
presented in Figure 1 as the total number of respondents per option, and in Figure 2 as the percentage of respondents 
per option. 

Figure 1. Number of responders that associated one behavioral trait with one of the personality types. A&C – active 
and confident; A&U – active and unconfident; P&C – passive and confident; P&U – passive and unconfident. 

 

Figure 2. Percentage of responders that associated one behavioral trait with each personality type proposed. A&C – 
active and confident; A&U – active and unconfident; P&C – passive and confident; P&U – passive and unconfident.   

 
 

4. Discussion 
From the outset, we made it clear that this proposal is not intended to resolve the ongoing debate over 

horses’ temperamental and personality traits, nor to add further confusion to a field where much remains 
unclear. The discussion around defining temperament and personality requires robust scientific approaches, 
not only for equids but for many other species as well.  

Our aim is to introduce simple and effective markers for regular human-horse interactions, prioritizing 
the safety and welfare of both parties. As the results indicate, the proposed typologies are straightforward 
and easily understood, suggesting both simplicity and effectiveness. The consistent alignment of subjects 
with the behavioral characteristics of the proposed types demonstrates their coherence across diverse and 
large groups. Additionally, the use of terms such as "energetic," "confident," "passive," and "non-confident" 
resonates with people interacting with horses, as it aligns with their expectations and is easy to grasp. 

Another potential application of this model lies in studies related to horse behavior, especially where 
grouping horses with different temperamental or personality types presents a complex challenge. Measuring 
emotional states—such as reactions to humans or the environment, anxiety, fear, arousal, etc.—across a wide 
variety of breeds and individuals with varying levels of reactivity, energy, and habituation to humans re-
quires a method for sorting horses into consistent groups. 

Of course, there will always be some degree of subjectivity in classifying horses, and there are numerous 
traits that could be used to group them. Several studies on equine emotional and behavioral characteristics 
have proposed different temperamental styles, yet there remains significant inconsistency in the variables 
used. Establishing a common language is a critical first step toward creating a foundation for future research. 
Using these temperament types to explore correlations between physiological states—such as heart rate var-
iability (HRV) or hormonal changes—and behavioral patterns within specific temperamental groups could 
provide valuable insights. 

As with research into human temperament and personality, defining behavioral traits such as novelty 
seeking, harm avoidance, reward dependence, neuroticism, agreeableness, extraversion, openness, and con-
scientiousness often involves a margin of subjectivity [7,8].A key issue in the debate surrounding general 
factor models of temperament is whether these factors represent substantive phenomena or are merely meth-
odological artifacts or statistical byproducts [9]. 

% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
A & C 99 19 99 1 8 89 5 94 92 94 27 1 10 1 28 53 5 1 91 15 31 6 95 59
A & U 80 1 76 5 81 24 5 35 92 1 27 40 10 5 28 2 5 92 91 89 31 43 95 12
P & C 4 97 2 98 2 78 1 29 4 99 2 36 2 53 98 97 41 5 67 2 3 0 76 75
P &U 6 25 7 89 87 5 86 95 6 2 92 90 57 87 6 10 88 86 3 78 80 95 10 4

nr. total IN
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A & C 1242 239 1247 13 101 1123 60 1184 1156 1189 342 9 127 18 356 667 61 11 1144 189 391 75 1202 743
A & U 1008 10 958 63 1021 302 1135 441 164 14 1098 504 1210 67 41 29 428 1165 554 1123 1184 545 454 145
P & C 54 1222 25 1235 25 983 17 365 50 1252 27 454 22 668 1235 1221 513 62 844 22 34 6 956 946
P &U 76 315 88 1121 1096 63 1089 1201 76 21 1159 1134 712 1096 71 126 1109 1084 36 983 1005 1199 123 53



Cluj Vet J 2024, vol 29, issue 4 7 of 38 
 

 

Until further progress is made in clarifying the nature of temperament, we wish to underscore the sim-
plicity and efficiency of this model, which can yield positive outcomes in first-time horse-human encounters. 
Beyond the scientific foundation, the ability to communicate critical information quickly between horse han-
dlers can significantly enhance both human safety and equine welfare. Condensing important behavioral 
traits into just two descriptive words is essential for the FTHHE. In veterinary schools, equestrian centers, 
and for certain horse handlers, approaching an unfamiliar animal is a common occurrence. Basic information 
about a horse's natural reactivity and energy level, delivered promptly, can make the difference between a 
positive or negative interaction. 

Future Directions refer to implementing the proposed typology in veterinary schools and equestrian 
centers as part of the routine vocabulary used in horse-human interactions. Conducting further behavioral 
studies using these temperament categories to assess whether statistical data reveal strong correlations be-
tween these traits and physiological responses. 

5. Conclusions 
This study introduces a simplified approach to categorizing horse temperament and personality traits, 

focusing on ease of understanding and practical application in human-horse interactions. By reviewing ex-
isting literature and identifying commonly cited behavioral traits, we developed a set of temperamental 
types—energetic, confident, passive, and non-confident—designed to offer a straightforward framework for 
assessing horses in various contexts. 

The results demonstrate that these proposed typologies are coherent, easy to understand, and applicable 
across diverse groups. The consistency with which participants aligned behavioral traits with the proposed 
types underscores their potential as effective markers for horse temperament. Furthermore, this model fa-
cilitates quick and efficient communication between horse handlers, which can significantly improve both 
human safety and horse welfare, particularly in situations where immediate assessment of a horse's reactiv-
ity and energy level is crucial. 

While the field of equine temperament research remains complex, and subjective factors will always play 
a role in classification, this proposal offers a practical tool for use in equestrian centers, veterinary schools, 
and other settings. Future research should focus on validating these categories through physiological data, 
exploring correlations between temperament types and measurable biological markers such as heart rate 
variability and hormonal changes. 

In summary, the simplicity and practicality of this model offer valuable insights into horse-human inter-
actions and present a foundation for further study into the behavioral and physiological aspects of equine 
temperament. 

 
Author Contributions: Conceptualization D.M.; methodology, D.M.; software, M.T.; validation, I.P..; formal analysis, 
S.D; investigation, C.C; data curation, D.M.; writing—original draft preparation, D.M.; writing—review and editing, 
M.T; visualization, C.C.; supervision, I.P.; project administration, D.M.;. All authors have read and agreed to the pub-
lished version of the manuscript”. 

Funding: This research received no external funding 

Institutional Review Board Statement: The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Hel-
sinki, and approved by the Institutional Review Board (or Ethics Committee) of  

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

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