Regulation EC 1/2005 has stricter rules for transportation of unbroken (untamed) vs. broken (tamed) horses, but does not provide adequate tools for their identification. This study aimed to develop and validate such a tool. A behavioural test (Broken/Unbroken Test (BUT)) based on approaching, haltering, and leading was applied to 100 horses. Physiological and additional behavioural data were also collected, and the horses’ status (broken/unbroken) was assessed by the expert who administered the BUT. Each horse’s behaviour during the BUT was scored by four trained observers blinded to the horse’s history. The BUT score showed excellent inter-observer, intra-observer, and test–retest reliability (all intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) > 0.75). It was also negatively associated with respiratory rate, avoidance distance, and time needed to approach, halter, and lead the horse (p < 0.05 for all). The optimal BUT score cut-off for discrimination between broken and unbroken horses (gold standard: expert judgment) showed 97.8% sensitivity and 97.3% specificity. There was almost perfect agreement between BUT-based and expert classification of horses (ICC = 0.940). These findings confirm the BUT’s construct and criterion validity. The BUT could provide officials with a feasible, reliable, and valid tool to identify a horse’s broken/unbroken status and, consequently, direct stakeholders towards correct transport procedures.

中文翻译：

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用于将马分类为破损或未破损的测试的开发和验证

法规 EC 1/2005 对未破损（未驯服）与破损（驯服）马的运输有更严格的规定，但没有提供足够的工具来识别它们。本研究旨在开发和验证此类工具。对 100 匹马进行了基于接近、缰绳和领先的行为测试（Broken/Unbroken Test (BUT)）。还收集了生理和其他行为数据，并由管理 BUT 的专家评估马的状态（破损/未破损）。每匹马在 BUT 期间的行为由四名不了解马匹历史的训练有素的观察员评分。BUT 评分显示出出色的观察者间、观察者内部和重测信度（所有组内相关系数 (ICC) > 0.75）。它也与呼吸频率、回避距离、p < 0.05 所有）。区分破损马匹和未破损马匹的最佳 BUT 评分截止值（金标准：专家判断）显示 97.8% 的敏感性和 97.3% 的特异性。基于 BUT 的马匹分类和专家分类之间几乎完全一致 (ICC = 0.940)。这些发现证实了 BUT 的结构和标准有效性。BUT 可以为官员提供一种可行、可靠和有效的工具来识别马匹的破损/未破损状态，从而引导利益相关者采取正确的运输程序。