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Author Hanggi, E.B.; Ingersoll, J.F.
Title Stimulus discrimination by horses under scotopic conditions Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication Behavioural Processes Abbreviated Journal Behav. Process.
Volume 82 Issue 1 Pages 45-50
Keywords Discrimination learning; Equine; Horse; Night vision; Scotopic vision
Abstract Scotopic vision in horses (Equus caballus) was investigated using behavioral measurements for the first time. Four horses were tested for the ability to make simple visual discriminations of geometric figures (circles and triangles) under various brightness levels within an enclosed building. Measurements of brightness ranging from 10.37 to 24.12 magnitudes per square arcsecond (mag/arcsec2; in candelas per square meter--7.70 to 2.43E-05 cd/m2) were taken using a Sky Quality Meter. These values approximated outdoor conditions ranging from twilight in open country to a dark moonless night in dense forest. The horses were able to solve the discrimination problems in all brightness settings up to 23.77 mag/arcsec2 (3.35E-05 cd/m2). Moreover, they easily navigated their way around obstacles located within the testing area in extremely dim light (>23.50 mag/arcsec2; 4.30E-05 cd/m2), which were in conditions too dark for the human experimenters to see. These findings support physiological data that reveal a rod-dominated visual system as well as observations of equine activity at night.
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ISSN (up) 0376-6357 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5051
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Author Fureix, C.; Pagès, M.; Bon, R.; Lassalle, J.-M.; Kuntz, P.; Gonzalez, G.
Title A preliminary study of the effects of handling type on horses' emotional reactivity and the human-horse relationship Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication Behavioural Processes Abbreviated Journal Behav. Process.
Volume 82 Issue 2 Pages 202-210
Keywords Emotional reactivity; Handling style; Horse; Human-horse relationship
Abstract Handling is a crucial component of the human-horse relationship. Here, we report data from an experiment conducted to assess and compare the effect of two training methods. Two groups of six Welsh mares were trained during four sessions of 50 min, one handled with traditional exercises (halter leading, grooming/brushing, lifting feet, lunging and pseudo-saddling (using only girth and saddle pad) and the second group with natural horsemanship exercises (desensitization, yielding to body pressure, lunging and free-lunging). Emotional reactivity (ER) and the human-horse relationship (HHR) were assessed both prior to and following handling. A social isolation test, a neophobia test and a bridge test were used to assess ER. HHR was assessed through test of spontaneous approach to, and forced approach by, an unknown human. Horses' ER decreased after both types of handling as indicated by decreases in the occurrence of whinnying during stressful situations. Head movement (jerk/shake) was the most sensitive variable to handling type. In the spontaneous approach tests, horses in the traditional handling group showed higher latencies to approach a motionless person after handling than did the natural horsemanship group. Our study suggests that natural horsemanship exercises could be more efficient than traditional exercises for improving horses' HHR.
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ISSN (up) 0376-6357 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5092
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Author Hothersall, B.; Nicol, C.
Title Role of Diet and Feeding in Normal and Stereotypic Behaviors in Horses Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice Abbreviated Journal Clinical Nutrition
Volume 25 Issue 1 Pages 167-181
Keywords Equine behavior; Diet; Crib-biting; Stereotypy; Weaning; Tryptophan; Insulin
Abstract This article reviews the effects of diet on equine feeding behavior and feeding patterns, before considering the evidence that diet affects reactivity in horses. A growing body of work suggests that fat- and fiber-based diets may result in calmer patterns of behavior, and possible mechanisms that may underpin these effects are discussed. In contrast, there is little evidence that herbal- or tryptophan-containing supplements influence equine behavior in any measurable way. The role of diet in the development of abnormal oral behaviors, particularly the oral stereotypy crib-biting, is also reviewed, and suggestions for future work are presented.
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ISSN (up) 0749-0739 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4945
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Author Byrne, R.W.
Title Animal imitation Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication Current Biology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 19 Issue 3 Pages R111-R114
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ISSN (up) 0960-9822 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4735
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Author Harcourt, J.L.; Ang, T.Z.; Sweetman, G.; Johnstone, R.A.; Manica, A.
Title Social feedback and the emergence of leaders and followers Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication Current Biology : CB Abbreviated Journal Curr Biol
Volume 19 Issue 3 Pages 248-252
Keywords Analysis of Variance; Animals; Appetitive Behavior/physiology; *Feedback; Great Britain; *Leadership; Markov Chains; Models, Biological; Monte Carlo Method; Smegmamorpha/*physiology; *Social Behavior; Video Recording
Abstract In many animal groups, certain individuals consistently appear at the forefront of coordinated movements [1-4]. How such leaders emerge is poorly understood [5, 6]. Here, we show that in pairs of sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus, leadership arises from individual differences in the way that fish respond to their partner's movements. Having first established that individuals differed in their propensity to leave cover in order to look for food, we randomly paired fish of varying boldness, and we used a Markov Chain model to infer the individual rules underlying their joint behavior. Both fish in a pair responded to each other's movements-each was more likely to leave cover if the other was already out and to return if the other had already returned. However, we found that bolder individuals displayed greater initiative and were less responsive to their partners, whereas shyer individuals displayed less initiative but followed their partners more faithfully; they also, as followers, elicited greater leadership tendencies in their bold partners. We conclude that leadership in this case is reinforced by positive social feedback.
Address Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Language English Summary Language Original Title
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ISSN (up) 0960-9822 ISBN Medium
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Notes PMID:19185497 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5123
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Author Heleski, C.R.; McGreevy, P.D.; Kaiser, L.J.; Lavagnino, M.; Tans, E.; Bello, N.; Clayton, H.M.
Title Effects on behaviour and rein tension on horses ridden with or without martingales and rein inserts Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication The Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal
Volume 181 Issue 1 Pages 56-62
Keywords Horse behaviour; Horse welfare; Equitation science; Rein tension; Martingales
Abstract Unsteady hand position can cause discomfort to the horse, potentially leading to conflict behaviours (CB) such as head tossing or tail lashing. Some instructors feel that martingales or elastic rein inserts can reduce discomfort caused by inexperienced and unsteady hands. Others consider these devices to be inappropriate [`]crutches'. Four horses and nine riders were tested under three conditions in random order: plain reins, adjustable training martingales (TM), and elasticised rein inserts (RI). Rein-tension data (7 s) and behavioural data (30 s) were collected in each direction. Rein-tension data were collected via strain-gauge transducers. Behavioural data were assessed using an ethogram of defined behaviours. No differences in the number of CB were observed. Mean rein tension for TM was higher than that of RI or controls. Relative to the withers, the head was lower for horses ridden with martingales. Carefully fitted martingales may have a place in riding schools that teach novices.
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ISSN (up) 1090-0233 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4807
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Author Goodwin, D.; McGreevy, P.; Waran, N.; McLean, A.
Title How equitation science can elucidate and refine horsemanship techniques Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication The Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal Special Issue: Equitation Science
Volume 181 Issue 1 Pages 5-11
Keywords Horse; Training; Equitation; Learning theory; Ethology; Cognition
Abstract The long-held belief that human dominance and equine submission are key to successful training and that the horse must be taught to [`]respect' the trainer infers that force is often used during training. Many horses respond by trialling unwelcome evasions, resistances and flight responses, which readily become established. When unable to cope with problem behaviours, some handlers in the past might have been encouraged to use harsh methods or devices while others may have called in a so-called [`]good horseman' or [`]horse whisperer' to remediate the horse. Frequently, the approaches such practitioners offer could not be applied by the horse's owner or trainer because of their lack of understanding or inability to apply the techniques. Often it seemed that these [`]horse-people' had magical ways with horses (e.g., they only had to whisper to them) that achieved impressive results although they had little motivation to divulge their techniques. As we begin to appreciate how to communicate with horses sensitively and consistently, misunderstandings and misinterpretations by horse and trainer should become less common. Recent studies have begun to reveal what comprises the simplest, most humane and most effective mechanisms in horse training and these advances are being matched by greater sharing of knowledge among practitioners. Indeed, various practitioners of what is referred to here as [`]natural horsemanship' now use techniques similar to the [`]whisperers' of old, but they are more open about their methods. Reputable horse trainers using natural horsemanship approaches are talented observers of horse behaviour and respond consistently and swiftly to the horse's subtle cues during training. For example, in the roundpen these trainers apply an aversive stimulus to prompt a flight response and then, when the horse slows down, moves toward them, or offers space-reducing affiliative signals, the trainer immediately modifies his/her agonistic signals, thus negatively reinforcing the desired response. Learning theory and equine ethology, the fundamentals of the emerging discipline of equitation science, can be used to explain almost all the behaviour modification that goes on in these contexts and in conventional horsemanship. By measuring and evaluating what works and what does not, equitation science has the potential to have a unifying effect on traditional practices and developing branches of equitation.
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ISSN (up) 1090-0233 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4826
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Author McGreevy, P.D.; Oddie, C.; Burton, F.L.; McLean, A.N.
Title The horse–human dyad: Can we align horse training and handling activities with the equid social ethogram? Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication The Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal Special Issue: Equitation Science
Volume 181 Issue 1 Pages 12-18
Keywords Horse training; Social inter- and intra-specific communication; Learning; Counter–predator behaviour
Abstract This article examines the recently completed equid ethogram and shows how analogues of social interactions between horses may occur in various human–horse interactions. It discusses how some specific horse–horse interactions have a corresponding horse–human interaction – some of which may be directly beneficial for the horse while others may be unusual or even abnormal. It also shows how correspondent behaviours sometimes become inappropriate because of their duration, consistency or context. One analogue is unlikely to hold true for all horse–human contexts, so when applying any model from horse–horse interactions to human–horse interactions, the limitations of the model may eclipse the intended outcome of the intervention. These limitations are especially likely when the horse is being ridden. Such analyses may help to determine the validity of extrapolating intra-specific interactions to the inter-specific setting, as is advocated by some popular horse-training methods, and highlight the subsequent limitations where humans play the role of the ‘alpha mare’ or leader in horse handling and training. This examination provides a constructive framework for further informed debate and empirical investigation of the critical features of successful intra-specific interactions.
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ISSN (up) 1090-0233 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5729
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Author Keeling, L.J.; Jonare, L.; Lanneborn, L.
Title Investigating horse–human interactions: The effect of a nervous human Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication The Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal Vet J
Volume 181 Issue 1 Pages 70-71
Keywords Behaviour; Reactivity; Heart rate; Accidents; Equitation
Abstract The heart rates (HR) of horses and the people leading them (10 horses, 20 people), and riding them (17 horses, 17 people), were recorded in an indoor arena. The horses were Swedish leisure horses of mixed ages, sex and breed. All except two of the people were female and all were of mixed age and riding experience. Each horse–human pair walked or rode between points A and B (30 m) four times on each test occasion. However, just before the fourth pass, participants were told that an umbrella would be opened as they rode, or led, the horse past the assistant. The umbrella was not opened, so this pass was no different to the previous control occasions, but nevertheless there was an increase in HR for both the person (leading, P = 0.06; riding, P < 0.05) and the horse (being led, P < 0.05; being ridden, P < 0.05). The findings indicate that analysis of HR recorded simultaneously from people and horses under different experimental handling or riding conditions presents a useful tool to investigate horse–human interactions.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
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ISSN (up) 1090-0233 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5908
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Author Robins, A.; Phillips, C.
Title Lateralised visual processing in domestic cattle herds responding to novel and familiar stimuli Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication Laterality: Asymmetries of Body, Brain and Cognition Abbreviated Journal Laterality
Volume 15 Issue 5 Pages 514-534
Keywords
Abstract We investigated whether cattle exhibit preferences to monitor challenging and novel stimuli. Experiments were conducted on dairy and beef cattle herds and revealed significant left eye preferences in the cattle for viewing an experimenter walking to repeatedly split the herd through its centre. Visual lateralisation was demonstrated in the preference to use the left monocular field to monitor the experimenter, alone or equipped with a range of novel stimuli. This finding is consistent with left eye preferences found in various species of mammals, birds, and amphibians responding to predators and novel stimuli. A cohort of the familiarised cattle herds was then subjected to additional herd-splitting tests with the same stimuli and demonstrated a reversal of viewing preferences, preferring to monitor the experimenter and stimuli within the right and not left monocular field. This directional shift in viewing preferences is consistent with experience-dependent learning found in lateralised visual processing in other, non-mammalian, species, and to our knowledge is the first of such studies to suggest that such lateralised learning processes also exist in mammals. Together the data support a number of key hypotheses concerning the evolution and conservation of lateralised brain function in vertebrates, and also provide important considerations for livestock handling.
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Publisher Routledge Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
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ISSN (up) 1357-650x ISBN Medium
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Notes doi: 10.1080/13576500903049324 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5918
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