The Dutch equine sector has major economic and social significance, with more than 500,000 horses and 450,000 riders involved in breeding, sport, and recreation. While studbooks apply clear selection criteria for conformation and movement, there is no uniform and scientifically substantiated method for assessing the personality of horses. This leads to subjective evaluations and missed opportunities for improved selection, training, and cooperation.
A horse’s personality is a key factor in performance, learning ability, welfare, and safety. Yet in practice, it is still given limited attention, partly because traditional behavioural tests are time-consuming. New, validated methods—such as questionnaires and standardized observations—are making personality assessment more accessible and reliable.
This project focuses on developing and applying reliable methods to assess personality traits in horses and link them to sporting performance, learning processes, and the personalities of riders and drivers. The aim is to achieve a better match between horse and human, thereby improving welfare, performance, and safety.
The central research question is:
“How can personality traits of horses be defined more accurately, measured reliably, and effectively aligned with the needs of riders, drivers, breeders, trainers, and professionals, with the aim of promoting optimal cooperation and the welfare of the horse?”
The research is co-funded by Regieorgaan SIA, part of the Dutch Research Council (NWO), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN). It is being carried out by Aeres University of Applied Sciences, Dronten, and Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences, Velp, in collaboration with Hippisch Centrum Nootdorp, Stoeterij de Hoge Ginkel, TRT Equestrian, Eisma HorsesMedia, Manege Chardon, HorseTelex, MVM Horses, FNRS, FPG, KFPS, KWPN, KNHS, and NNFPS.
Update March 2026
From 1 March until early April, a short questionnaire will be available online in which we invite all horse enthusiasts to share their views on what they look for in the character of horses.
Would you like to help? Then please complete this questionnaire.