Table 1.

Scoring system for classification of horses’ behaviour during the Approaching and Haltering Test (AHT) and Handling Test (HT), and calculation of the Broken/Unbroken Test (BUT) score.

Test	Score	Displayed Behaviour/Calculation Method
APPROACHING AND HALTERING (AHT)	0	The horse displays pronounced excitement or avoidance behaviour (shaking movements of the head, moves away or runs away vigorously, intends to kick) and cannot be approached or haltered successfully 1
	1	The horse displays moderate excitement and/or avoidance behaviour in response to approaching and haltering (one or more occurrences of licking, raising and shaking the head, moving away from the handler) but is haltered successfully
	2	The horse does not show any avoidance behaviour during approaching and haltering and is haltered successfully
HANDLING (HT)	0	The horse is not harnessed or displays pronounced reluctance and avoidance behaviours; the horse shows signs of aggression (ears laid backwards, tries to bite or kick), shows shaking movements of the head and tail, rears, moves away vigorously, or does not respond to the pressure correctly; the test is not completed successfully 1
	1	The horse displays moderate reluctance and avoidance behaviours in response to leading (moderate to strong pressure must be applied on the halter before the horse moves, horse raises the head, licks, moves away from the handler, swishes the tail at least once); the horse completes the test or part of it but with some difficulties
	2	The horse does not show any reluctance or avoidance behaviours, is led easily, and completes the test successfully
BUT SCORE	0–4	Sum of the AHT and HT scores

¹ the test is stopped due to evident signs of distress or the time limit is reached before successful completion of the test.