An English researcher wants to provide a reliable and accurate way of identifying the personality of individual horses. Adele Lloyd, MSc, a Moulton College research associate based in Northampton (Central England), wants to study whether a horse’ or pony’ personality and temperament is determined by its breed. It is hoped that the results of this research will lead toward the personality selection for different equine disciplines and breeding, which in turn could result in improved performance and welfare.

Lloyd’s research, which is funded by the Thomas Harrison Trust, has been underway for two years as part of her PhD work in association with Moulton College, Harper Adams University College, and the Open University. She is now calling upon further assistance from horse owners worldwide. 

In her prior research, Lloyd identified a method of equine personality assessment that can be easily applied by horse owners and handlers. Adele explains, “This assessment method, in the form of a short questionnaire, is now being used to assess any personality differences between different horse breeds. Breeds currently being focused on include Thoroughbreds, Arabs, Irish Draught horses, Shires, Clydesdales, and several of the British Native pony breeds. Any assistance in the research would be very welcome and in turn the results will be sent to all those who helped.”

If you are interested in completing a questionnaire for your purebred equine (donkey, mule, hinnie, Irish Draught, Welsh Section A,B,C, or D, Clydesdale, Thoroughbred, Highland pony, Shetland pony, Shire, Connemara, Appaloosa, or Arabian), visit www.harper-adams.ac.uk/legacy/equine_personality/index.htm