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Author Søndergaard, E.; Jensen, M.B.; Nicol, C.J.
Title Motivation for social contact in horses measured by operant conditioning Type Journal Article
Year 2011 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume 132 Issue 3-4 Pages 131-137
Keywords Horse; Housing; Social behaviour; Operant conditioning; Motivation
Abstract (up) Although horses are social animals they are often housed individually with limited social contact to other horses and this may compromise their welfare. The present study included eight young female horses and investigated the strength of motivation for access to full social contact, head contact and muzzle contact, respectively, to a familiar companion horse. Horses were housed individually next to their companion horse and separations between pens prevented physical contact. During daily test sessions horses were brought to a test area where they could access an arena allowing social contact. Arena access during 3 min was given after completion of a predetermined number of responses on a panel. Fixed ratios (FR) of 8, 16, 24, 32 and 40 responses per arena access were applied in a random order, one per daily test session, within each test week (Monday to Friday), and the number of rewards per daily test session was recorded. All horses could access all three types of social contact in a cross-over design, and an empty arena was used as control. Motivational strength was assessed using elasticity of demand functions, which were estimated based on the number of rewards earned and FR. Elasticities of demand for the three types of social contact were low (-0.20), and not significantly different, although increasing FR still resulted in a decrease in rewards obtained for all three types of social contact (P < 0.001). Across FR-levels horses earned more rewards for social contact than for an empty arena, as shown by much higher intercept values (2.51 vs. 0.99; P < 0.001). However, the elasticity of demand for infrequent access to an empty arena (-0.08) was lower than for social contact (P < 0.01) and not significantly different from zero (P = 0.07). Horses performed more social behaviour the lesser the restriction on social contact (full > head > muzzle). However, the finding that horses showed a similar and high motivation for all three types of social contact suggests that they are valued equally highly in a situation where the alternative is no social contact.
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ISSN 0168-1591 ISBN Medium
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5410
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Author Hartmann, E.; Søndergaard, E.; Keeling, L.J.
Title Keeping horses in groups: A review Type Journal Article
Year Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords Equine; Behaviour; Welfare; Housing; Social
Abstract (up) Although husbandry conditions for horses have improved over the last decades, many horses are still kept singly with limited or no physical contact to other horses. This is surprising, given the fact that keeping horses in groups is recognised best to fulfil their physical and behavioural needs, especially their need for social contact with conspecifics, as well as to have a beneficial effect on horse–human interactions during training. Group housing of farm animals is widely applied in practice. As a consequence, scientists have investigated numerous aspects of group housing to help further improve animal welfare and human–animal interactions under these conditions. However, compared to this literature available in farm animals, and the plentiful studies conducted of feral horse populations, there is much less done when it comes to the management of horses kept in groups in the domestic environment. In particular, limited scientific information is available into the effect of group size and group composition on behaviour and methods of introducing new horses into established groups, even though problems related to social integration are repeatedly taken as arguments against keeping horses in groups. This review, therefore, aims to provide an overview of the current scientific knowledge regarding keeping horses in groups. Furthermore, it aims to give insight into whether or not some of the concerns related to keeping horses in groups are justified and to review scientifically based solutions that could be useful in practice to improve horse welfare and human safety.
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ISSN 0168-1591 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5490
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Author Nathan J. Emery
Title The Evolution of Social Cognition Type Book Chapter
Year 2005 Publication The Cognitive Neuroscience of Social BehaviourGarten Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords
Abstract (up) Although this bookis focusedon the cognitive neuroscience ofhuman social behaviour, an

understandingofsocial cognition in non-human animals is critical for unravellingthe neural basis of

social cognition in humans as well as the selective pressures that have shapedthe evolution ofcomplex

social cognition. Thanks to methodological limitations, we know little about the relationships between

certain biochemical andelectrophysiological properties ofthe human brain andhow theycompute the

behaviour andmental states ofother individuals. Traditional techniques for examiningneural function

in humans, such as event-relatedpotentials (ERP),positron emission tomography(PET),and

functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI),are constrainedbythe fact that subjects are placed

either into an immoveable scanner with a lot ofbackgroundnoise or wiredup with dozens of

electrodes that are sensitive to slight movements. The possibilityofscanningor recordingbrain waves

from two individuals that are physicallyinteractingsociallyis technicallyimpossible at present

(however, see Montague et al, 2002 for a new methodfor simultaneouslyscanningtwo individuals

interactingvia a computer).

The onlywayto understandthe neurocognitive architecture ofhuman social behaviour is to examine

similar social processes in both human andnon-human animal minds andmake comparisons at the

species level. An additional argument is that traditional human socio-cognitive tasks are dependent on

the use ofstories, cartoons andverbal cues andinstructions (Heberlein & Adolphs, this volume)which

themselves will elicit specific neural responses that have to be eliminatedfrom neural responses

specificallyrelatedto mindreading. Therefore, the development ofnon-verbal tasks wouldprovide a

breakthrough for studies in non-linguistic animals, pre-verbal human infants andhuman cognitive

neuroimaging.
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Publisher Psychology Press Place of Publication Editor
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Notes Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 543
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Author Karavanich, C.; Atema, J.
Title Individual recognition and memory in lobster dominance Type Journal Article
Year 1998 Publication Animal Behaviour. Abbreviated Journal Anim. Behav.
Volume 56 Issue 6 Pages 1553-1560
Keywords
Abstract (up) American lobsters,Homarus americanus, form stable dominance relationships in captivity. Size, sex and stage in the moult cycle are important determinants for dominance. Other factors, such as recent agonistic experience play a role. This paper investigates how lobsters maintain their stable dominance relationships: they may recognize individuals or alternatively, recognize overall dominance status. We paired lobsters in two consecutive `boxing matches'. Results indicate that lobsters remember familiar opponents when kept either in isolation or in communal tanks for 24 h between their first and second fights. Subordinates immediately backed away from familiar dominants, avoiding a second fight. In some animals, this memory lasted between 1-2 weeks if pairs were kept separate between the first and second fights. When paired for the second fight against unfamiliar dominant lobsters, subordinate lobsters from first fights actively fought and won the encounter. These results suggest that lobsters are capable of `individual recognition'. In nature, the observed social organization of lobsters may be maintained by individual recognition of a small number of residents inhabiting separate, nearby shelters.
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Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 866
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Author Marinier, S.L.; Alexander, A.J.; Waring, G.H.
Title Flehmen behaviour in the domestic horse: Discrimination of conspecific odours Type Journal Article
Year 1988 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume 19 Issue 3-4 Pages 227-237
Keywords
Abstract (up) American Saddlebred horses were used to test the responses of domestic horses to the odours of conspecifics. In all cases the odours were tested in the absence of the donor animal. Thus the test animal's behavioural responses were concentrated on the olfactory stimuli, and possible interference from donor behaviour was eliminated. Stallions were significantly more responsive than mares and geldings. This was shown in both flehmen and sniffing behaviour to urine/vaginal secretions and in sniffing behaviour to faecal samples. Only stallions were used for subsequent tests. Stallions showed no significant differences in response to the odour of urine/vaginal secretions of an oestrus mare from that when she was not in season. Parameters used for analysis of data were frequency, latency and duration of flehmen as well as duration of responsiveness to samples. In testing for differences in odours between individual mares, two methods were used. The stallions differentiated between samples from individual mares. In some cases this differentiation was exhibited when the stallions were merely presented with the two samples in sequence. In other cases statistically significant differences in response to the odours were shown only by simultaneous presentation of the two samples to the test stallion. Parameters used for data analysis were frequency and duration of flehmen and duration of responsiveness.
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Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 507
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Author McCreery, E.K.; Robbins, R.L.
Title Proximate Explanations For Failed Pack Formation In Lycaon Pictus Type Journal Article
Year 2001 Publication Behaviour Abbreviated Journal Behaviour
Volume 138 Issue 11 Pages 1467-1479
Keywords
Abstract (up) Among the most social of all canids, the endangered African wild dog lives in packs in which the alpha pair typically monopolizes breeding while nonreproductive members help care for the offspring. Consequently, the size of the breeding population is directly related to the number of packs in the population. Although the formation of new packs affects both individual fitness and population dynamics, little is known about the process of pack formation and the proximate factors that influence the outcome. In this paper, seven cases of attempted pack formation are documented, of which four failed. Three possible explanations for pack annulment are considered: group size, mate competition, and mate choice (i.e. group compatibility). Our observations suggest that group compatibility can influence whether stable reproductive units form. The influence of individual behavior, via the process of pack formation, on population dynamics is discussed. The potential conservation application of the theoretical study of wild dog pack formation is highlighted.
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2199
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Author Whishaw, I.Q.; Sacrey, L.-A.R.; Gorny, B.
Title Hind limb stepping over obstacles in the horse guided by place-object memory Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication Behavioural Brain Research Abbreviated Journal Behav. Brain. Res.
Volume 198 Issue 2 Pages 372-379
Keywords Horse place memory; Memory and hind limb stepping; Obstacle memory in horse; Obstacle stepping in horse; Place memory for stepping; Stepping in the horse; Working memory for stepping
Abstract (up) An animal that has stepped over an obstacle with its forelimbs uses a memory of the obstacle to guide the hind limbs so that they also clear the obstacle, even in situations in which long pauses are introduced between forelimb and hind limb stepping. To further clarify the features of hind limb obstacle clearance memory, the present study examined hind limb obstacle clearance in the horse. A rider guided horses over obstacles and paused the horse over obstacles in tests that examined the relationship between forelimb and hind limb stepping, with the following results. First, the horses displayed memory for an obstacle as measured by hind limb lifting over the obstacle for durations lasting as long as 15 min. The response was not dependent upon ongoing visualization of the obstacle, as limb lifting was unaffected by visual occlusion with blinders, a blindfold, or by removing the obstacle during the pause. Second, previous experience of stepping over an obstacle led to pause-related hind limb lifting at the object's previous location even on trials for which there was no obstacle and so no preceding forelimb lifting. Third, whereas a horse would lift its hind limbs to clear two successively presented obstacles, replacing an obstacle before the horse after the forelimbs had cleared the obstacle prevented subsequent hind limb lifting at the obstacle's previous location. Taken together the results show that hind limb obstacle clearance is guided by a place-object memory. The results are discussed in relation to the differential sensory and memonic control of forelimb and hind limb stepping with the suggestion that place-object memory can guide hind stepping as well as overshadow working memory from front leg stepping.
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Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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ISSN 0166-4328 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4754
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Author Pick, D.F.; Lovell, G.; Brown, S.; Dail, D.
Title Equine color perception revisited Type Journal Article
Year 1994 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume 42 Issue 1 Pages 61-65
Keywords Equine; Color perception; Dichromat
Abstract (up) An attempt to replicate Grzimek (1952; Z. Tierpsychol., 27: 330-338) is reported where a Quarter-Horse mare chose between colored and gray stimuli for food reinforcement. Stimuli varied across a broad range of reflectance values. A double-blind procedure with additional controls for auditory, olfactory, tactile, and position cues was used. The subject could reliably discriminate blue (462 nm) vs. gray, and red (700 nm) vs. gray without regard to reflectance (P<0.001), but could not discriminate green (496 nm) vs. gray. It is suggested that horses are dichromats in a manner similar to swine and cattle.
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4368
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Author Williams, J.L.; Friend, T.H.; Toscano, M.J.; Collins, M.N.; Sisto-Burt, A.; Nevill, C.H.
Title The effects of early training sessions on the reactions of foals at 1, 2, and 3 months of age Type Journal Article
Year 2002 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume 77 Issue 2 Pages 105-114
Keywords Equine; Imprint training; Imprinting; Learning; Training; Handling; Foal
Abstract (up) An early training procedure commonly termed “foal imprint training” is widely promoted in the horse industry. However, there have been no published scientific investigations of its efficacy. This study determined the effects of a training procedure on foals and their reaction to stimuli used in the early training procedure, and to a novel stimulus, at 1, 2 and 3 months of age. Twenty-five foals received a standard training procedure at 2, 12, 24, and 48 h after birth. After the training procedure, the foals received minimal additional handling that included veterinary treatments and occasional relocation. Twenty-two foals born over the same time period served as controls. All 47 (25 trained, 22 control) foals were tested at 1 month of age. Only 20 were available for testing at 2 months of age, and nine were available at 3 months. Percentage change from baseline heart rate, time required to complete exposure to each stimulus (foals that were more reactive took longer) and the behavior of each foal during the introduction of each stimulus were recorded. Overall, the control foals tended to receive lower (better) behavioral scores at 1 and 2 months of age. Foals that underwent the training procedure tended to require less time to complete exposure to the stimulus and had lower heart rates during exposure to the stimuli at 1 and 2 months of age. By 3 months of age, there were no significant differences between trained and control foals for any measures. Early training was not efficacious in this study.
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4331
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Author McDonnell, S.M.; Haviland, J.C.S.
Title Agonistic ethogram of the equid bachelor band Type Journal Article
Year 1995 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume 43 Issue 3 Pages 147-188
Keywords Equid; Horse; Bachelor; Agonistic; Social behavior; Ethogram
Abstract (up) An ethogram of agonistic and related behaviors among equid bachelor band members was developed. Several key English-language studies on equids were reviewed to derive a preliminary inventory of specific behaviors to be included in the ethogram. A bachelor band of domestic pony stallions pastured together was observed for approximately 50 daylight hours to obtain detailed descriptions of each behavior, enable photographic and video documentation of behaviors, and identify any behaviors to be added to the preliminary inventory. An initial draft of the ethogram was sent to 65 equine researchers for review. Twenty-eight critical reviews were received and their suggestions considered for the final draft. A total of 49 elemental behaviors including five distinct vocalizations was included in the ethogram. Three complex behavioral sequences were also included. Most of the behaviors catalogued from the direct observation of pastured pony stallions were also found in the equid literature. For many, references to these behaviors specifically among males or bachelor band members were not found. The results offer a practical tool for quantitative research and other studies of equid inter-male behavior as well as for teaching of equid behavior, and should facilitate progress toward development of a complete ethogram for the horse and other equids.
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Call Number refbase @ user @ ; Equine Behaviour @ team @ room B 3.029 Serial 749
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