ArticleEquine veterinary journal2026
Development of the Human-Equine Attachment Scale.
Article in Equine veterinary journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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6 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundHuman-horse relationships encompass diverse roles, from companion to competition partner. The impact of such bonds informs owner decision-making regarding horse management and veterinary care, yet standardised instruments to measure these unique bonds are limited.
objectivesTo develop the Human-Equine Attachment Scale (HEAS), a novel instrument to measure the multi-faceted dimensions of human-horse attachment. STUDY
designCross-sectional design using a self-administered psychometric instrument.
methodsInitial items were developed through a systematic review of human and animal attachment research, with adaptations made to reflect human-equine relationships. The preliminary scale contained 25 items across five hypothesised factors: Companionship, Wellbeing, Dependence, Status and Growth. Data were collected via an online survey (March-April 2022), recruiting participants through equestrian social media and professional networks using non-random convenience and snowball sampling.
resultsThe final sample comprised 3611 predominantly female (92.9%) respondents. Principal components analysis (PCA) investigated the underlying structure of the scale. The final PCA revealed a six-factor solution explaining 60% of total variance: Companionship (19%), Personal Wellbeing (9.8%), Dependence (8.9%), Status (8.5%), Growth (7.5%) and Sacrifice (6.3%). The final 22-item scale demonstrated good internal reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.77). MAIN LIMITATIONS: The self-report instrument represents UK-only participants.
conclusionsThe emergence of Sacrifice as a distinct factor highlights unique aspects of horse ownership, particularly regarding financial and personal investment. The HEAS shows promise as a reliable tool for measuring human-horse attachment, with numerous potential applications. It could help bridge the gap in knowledge regarding owner motivation and human-horse relationships, supporting research into how attachment influences welfare, management, and veterinary care decisions. While the scale demonstrates good psychometric properties, further validation across cultural contexts and equestrian populations is recommended. The development of the HEAS represents an important step towards understanding the complex nature of human-horse bonds and their implications for owner decision-making and practice.
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