Based on my findings I conclude that the addition of regular positive reinforcement training to a horse’s weekly training and management could improve welfare by lowering stress and improving the horse-owner relationship. My results support previous studies that found that horses trained with positive reinforcement show fewer behavioural signs of stress and display more contact-seeking behaviour in the presence of an unfamiliar person, indicating a generally more positive attitude towards people.

Future studies should look at whether a longer or more intensive positive reinforcement training plan has a more pronounced effect on optimism and long-term stress levels. It could also be interesting to explore whether there are significant differences in optimism, stress levels, contact-seeking behaviour and horse-human relationship between horses trained mainly with positive reinforcement and those trained with either negative reinforcement or a mix.