Assessment of the preferences of users of horses for recreation and sport

A survey was conducted among users of horses from various parts of Poland to investigate their preferences regarding the basic behavioural characteristics of horses used in recreation and sport and to determine the importance of their main external and internal traits. The majority of respondents were women, and the largest age group was 21-25. The respondents most often chose geldings for use, due to their composure. The preferred age range was 6 to 10 years, with a height at the withers from 151 to 170 cm. The breed and external appearance of horses did not matter to most respondents, although they preferred Malopolski, Wielkopolski, and Polish Half-Bred horses. It was important to the survey participants for the horse to meet specific skill requirements and to have suitable traits for them, with no bad habits or stereotypic behaviours. Over 60% of respondents would like to buy their own horse. As many as 86% were very experienced riders who had been training and taking part in competitions for over 6 years, with 55% of the subjects training jumping and 40% dressage. Sixty-three per cent of respondents ride horses 3-4 days a week or every day.