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Author Kedzierski, W.; Wilk, I.; Janczarek, I. url  openurl
  Title Physiological response to the first saddling and first mounting of horses: comparison of two sympathetic training methods Type Journal Article
  Year 2014 Publication Animal Science Papers and Reports Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 32 Issue 3 Pages 219-228  
  Keywords (down) cortisol / emotional reaction/ horses / natural training / stress  
  Abstract There is not much research done on the influence of sympathetic training on the emotional reaction

of horses. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the emotional response and the stress level

in horses to two sympathetic training methods: (1) with the use of the “round pen technique” (RP),

and (2) in which the RP was not applied (SH). Twenty two half-bred Anglo-Arab horses (2.5

years ±3 months of age) were subject to an initial training. Eleven horses were randomly included

to the RP method and the other 11 horses for the SH method. Heart rate (HR) and saliva cortisol

concentration were measured as indicators of horse emotional arousal and stress level, respectively.

The HR values were analysed: at rest, during the habituation period, just after the first saddling

and tightening of the girth, during the first time a human leaned over the horse’s back, and during

the mounting of the horse. Saliva samples were taken before and 15 min after each training session

studied. After saddling, the HR occurred significantly higher when the RP technique was used. The

significant increase in saliva cortisol concentration was observed only after the first mounting of

the horse. Generally, the use of the RP technique did not involve more important physiological

reactions in the trained horses than did the SH method.
 
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5816  
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Author Koolhaas, J.M.; Korte, S.M.; De Boer, S.F.; Van Der Vegt, B.J.; Van Reenen, C.G.; Hopster, H.; De Jong, I.C.; Ruis, M.A.W.; Blokhuis, H.J. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Coping styles in animals: current status in behavior and stress-physiology Type Journal Article
  Year 1999 Publication Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 23 Issue 7 Pages 925-935  
  Keywords (down) Coping; Aggression; Stress; Disease; Corticosterone  
  Abstract This paper summarizes the current views on coping styles as a useful concept in understanding individual adaptive capacity and vulnerability to stress-related disease. Studies in feral populations indicate the existence of a proactive and a reactive coping style. These coping styles seem to play a role in the population ecology of the species. Despite domestication, genetic selection and inbreeding, the same coping styles can, to some extent, also be observed in laboratory and farm animals. Coping styles are characterized by consistent behavioral and neuroendocrine characteristics, some of which seem to be causally linked to each other. Evidence is accumulating that the two coping styles might explain a differential vulnerability to stress mediated disease due to the differential adaptive value of the two coping styles and the accompanying neuroendocrine differentiation.  
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  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
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  ISSN ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4416  
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Author Álvarez, I.; Royo, L.J.; Pérez-Pardal, L.; Fernández, I.; Lorenzo, L.; Goyache, F. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Assessing diversity losses due to selection for coat colour in the endangered bay-Asturcón pony using microsatellites Type Journal Article
  Year Publication Livestock Science Abbreviated Journal Livest Sci  
  Volume In Press, Corrected Proof Issue Pages  
  Keywords (down) Conservation; MC1r; Asip; Gene diversity; Allelic richness  
  Abstract The bay-Asturcón pony (A21) population recovery started recently. A total of 297 samples (180 from founder individuals) belonging to the A21 population were genotyped for: a) a set of 15 microsatellites; and b) the presence of the two recessive chestnut alleles reported in the literature (e and ea) on the MC1r gene (locus Extension) and the deletion on the ASIP gene (locus Agouti) associated with recessive black coat in horses. The extent to which the genetic variability of the A21 population could be affected by selection strategies aimed at decreasing the frequency of the chestnut allele was quantified in terms of gene diversity and allelic richness. The possible genetic impact of a controlled introgression of A21 offspring into the black-coated Asturcón (A20) population was also assessed using 261 available A20 genotypes. The wild alleles for the Extension and Agouti loci (E and A, respectively) were the most frequent (77.8% and 59.4%) in the A21 population. Both the e and ea recessive chestnut alleles were identified with frequencies of 21.2% and 1.0%. As expected, the contribution to overall diversity of the founder subpopulation was always higher than that of the A21 offspring subpopulation. Total contribution of the offspring subpopulation to overall allelic richness was negative (- 1.84%), showing that all their alleles were present in the founder subpopulation. Although favourable, the chestnut carrier individuals had poor contributions to overall gene diversity and tended to have negative contributions to allelic richness. The elimination of the chestnut carrier A21 individuals would not affect genetic variability to a significant extent. Therefore, efforts for preserving the genetic variability in the A21 population could focus on a careful planning of matings between individuals free of the recessive chestnut alleles. The expected influence of a controlled introgression of A21 offspring on the genetic variability of the A20 population was always favourable. The gene diversity of the introgressed population was higher than that of the original A20 population for both gene diversity (GDT = -1.2% ± 0.04%) and, particularly, allelic richness (CT = 4.9% ± 0.27%). Very limited gene flow may increase the number of alleles of the A20 population but also would yield a balance of the allelic frequencies at a population level. Therefore, a common breeding policy for the two Asturcón pony populations may ensure the viability of this prominent genetic resource.  
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  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1871-1413 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5174  
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Author Piggins, D.; Phillips, C.J.C. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Awareness in domesticated animals--concepts and definitions Type Journal Article
  Year 1998 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.  
  Volume 57 Issue 3-4 Pages 181-200  
  Keywords (down) Complex mind; Awareness; Humans; Domesticated animals; Conscious state  
  Abstract Humans will probably never experience the awareness of another species, but adopting a broad concept of awareness leads to the conclusion that other species have some awareness. The existence of a more complex mind in humans, compared with other species, leads some to suggest that awareness only exists in humans. We postulate that humans possess a significantly increased level of awareness, facilitated in particular by the acquisition of language, but that generally animals possess a level of awareness that is appropriate to their needs. Categories of awareness can be devised by identifying levels, such as are used in the identification of the conscious state in humans, or by ranking states of awareness in order of complexity. A scheme is proposed that combines these two approaches, which is considered suitable for use with domesticated animals. The advantages of identifying awareness as being sensation-, perception- or cognition-based are discussed, as well as the possibility of a scheme based on the degree and site of CNS processing. Finally, the acquisition of awareness by learning and inheritance is considered, and it is argued that in variable environments, animals will evolve increased awareness, whereas in very stable environments the energetic cost of awareness will encourage the evolution of less aware animals.  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4308  
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Author Huizinga, H.A.; Boukamp, M.; Smolders, G. url  openurl
  Title Estimated parameters of field performance testing of mares from the Dutch Warmblood riding horse population Type Journal Article
  Year 1990 Publication Livestock Production Science Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 26 Issue 4 Pages 291-299  
  Keywords (down) competition; genetic parameters; horse breeding; mares; performance test  
  Abstract The field performance testing (FPT) of mares of the Dutch Warmblood riding horse population is evaluated. Phenotypic and genetic parameters of scored traits are estimated and the genetic relationship with performance of half-sibs in dressage and jumping competition are estimated. Data from 1984 to 1987 are used, covering scores from 2023 at least 3-year-old mares. Seven subjectively scored traits are considered, walk, trot, canter, riding ability, character, jumping ability and total score. Analysis of data is according to a sire model. Variance and covariance components are estimated by Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) procedures. Estimates of heritability are moderately low for gaits (average 0.19), jumping ability (0.15) and total score (0.17) and extremely low for riding ability (0.03) and character (0.06). Dressage in competition is most correlated with riding ability (0.83) and is moderately correlated with total score (0.41) from FPT of mares. Jumping competition is most correlated with jumping ability (0.48) and not correlated with total score (0.05) from field test of mares. Some possible bias owing to previous knowledge and preselection is discussed. It is concluded that efficiency of present FPT of mares is limited for selection of broodmares for dressage and jumping ability in competition.  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 3964  
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Author Pick, D. Kendra, B.; Steciuch, C. pdf  openurl
  Title The Familiarity Heuristic in the Horse (Equus caballus) Type Conference Article
  Year 2015 Publication Proceedings of the 3. International Equine Science Meeting Abbreviated Journal Proc. 3. Int. Equine. Sci. Mtg  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords (down) color perception, learning theory, prospect theory  
  Abstract This study replicated an unreported finding observed in a color perception experiment (Pick, Lovell, Brown, & Dail, 1994) where, after using the method of successive approximations to train a blue-gray discrimination, red-gray trials were initiated without further training. Although a gray choice had never been reinforced, the subject chose gray on the first 20 trials (p < .000001). In the study reported here, a horse was trained to approach a red feed bucket and not a green feed bucket. After the subject mastered the discrimination, a blue bucket was substituted for the previously reinforced red bucket. With double-blind controls in place, the subject chose the unreinforced green bucket on 15 out of the first 20 blue-green trials yielding a binomial p = 0.0148 that this outcome could be due to chance alone. These results are contrary to all behavioristic psychological learning theories, but consistent with prospect theory (Kahneman & Tversky, 1979). Prospect theory predicts that given a choice between two previously unreinforced stimuli, one familiar and the other novel, humans will choose the familiar. It is argued that the bias toward the familiar is the basis to a heuristic that has a genetic origin and should exist in other animals on the phylogenetic scale. The results of this study indicate that the heuristic is available at least as far down the scale as the horse. Conceptual replications using shape stimuli and sound stimuli are in progress.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Pick, D. Thesis  
  Publisher Xenophon Publishing Place of Publication Wald Editor ; Krueger, K.  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 978-3-95625-000-2 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Id - Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5899  
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Author Górecka-Bruzda, A.; Jastrzebska, E.; Sosnowska, Z.; Jaworski, Z.; Jezierski, T.; Chruszczewski, M.H. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Reactivity to humans and fearfulness tests: Field validation in Polish Cold Blood Horses Type Journal Article
  Year Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.  
  Volume In Press, Corrected Proof Issue Pages  
  Keywords (down) Cold blood horse; Temperament; Reactivity; Behavioural tests; Questionnaire; Validity  
  Abstract The aim of the present paper was to examine in field conditions the feasibility of the experimentally developed behavioural tests for assessment of two temperamental traits of cold blood horses: fearfulness and reactivity to humans. The predictive, convergent and discriminant validity of the tests was evaluated. Fifty-three Polish Cold Blood Horses (CBHs) were tested with the battery of behavioural tests involving passive and active contact with humans, handling, startling, novel object and surface tests. The behaviour of horses in real, on-farm conditions was evaluated with the caretaker's questionnaire (CQ). The tests demonstrated that a non-startling object and unforced human manipulations were willingly accepted by horses. In contrast, the horses were more reluctant to interact spontaneously with humans and showed longer persistence of a withdrawal reaction when presented with a startling stimulus or when restrained. CQ confirmed the common opinion of calmness, patience and good manageability of the CBHs. The results of behavioural tests were correlated with the scores derived from factor analysis of the CQ. Moreover, the majority of tests measures were correlated within reactivity to humans (median rs = 0.56) and fear tests (median rs = 0.41). Thus, predictive and convergent validity of the employed tests has been confirmed. However, reactivity to humans and fear measures were also correlated (median rs = 0.36), therefore discriminant validity of the tests used has been not confirmed. Therefore, we suggest that the parameters of tests designed to measure two separate traits: reactivity to humans and fearfulness, measured in fact avoidance of potential harm and withdrawal behaviour. Although selection for the work-appropriate behaviour is almost nonexistent nowadays, we conclude that Polish Cold Blood Horses are still predisposed for disciplines of equitation and driving, which demand an easy to handle horse. Nonetheless, we recommend behavioural testing of horses when approving for breeding. For this purpose, we can confirm usefulness of the experimentally developed tests in field assessment of general behavioural reactivity of horses.  
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  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0168-1591 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5395  
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Author Rocha, A.D. de L.; Menescal-de-Oliveira, L.; da Silva, L.F.S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Effects of human contact and intra-specific social learning on tonic immobility in guinea pigs, Cavia porcellus Type Journal Article
  Year 2017 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords (down) Cohabitation; Fear; Motor response; Defensive behaviour; Predator-prey  
  Abstract Abstract Social learning is the capacity of animals to acquire adaptive information from others. In the case of fear responses, animals can learn fearful or non-fearful responses by observing the behavior of conspecifics. Tonic immobility (TI) is an anti-predatory behavior elicited during intense fear situations. Studies have revealed that regular contact with humans can reduce TI responses in animals. In our study, we evaluated the effect of human contact on the TI responses in guinea pigs. We also evaluated the effect of cohabitation (non-fearful animals with fearful animals) on their TI responses. To achieve this, we measured the TI responses induced by postural inversion and restraint in guinea pigs as a result of different treatments. In our first experiment, we determined the effect of human contact on TI responses by establishing 3 treatment groups: no contact, handled, and habituated. In our second experiment, we addressed the effect of social learning on TI response by testing TI response in habituated, and unhabituated animals that had cohabitated for 10 days. In the first experiment, 10 days of either handling or habituation did not prevent TI in guinea pigs, but habituation did increase latency [F(2,119) = 14.19; p < 0.0001] and handling or habituation decrease duration [F(2,119) = 15.01; p < 0.0001] of the TI behavior in the guinea pigs. In the second experiment, the cohabitation of unhabituated and habituated animals reduced TI duration [F(2,93) = 5.058; p < 0.008]. These data suggest that both forms of human interaction can reduce experimenter fear in guinea pigs. It therefore seems that unhabituated guinea pigs learn not to fear the experimenter by cohabitating with habituated guinea pigs.  
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  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0168-1591 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6133  
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Author De Giorgio, F.; Schoorl, J.M. pdf  openurl
  Title Why isolate during training? Social learning and social cognition applied as training approach for young horses (Equus caballus) Type Conference Article
  Year 2012 Publication Proceedings of the 2. International Equine Science Meeting Abbreviated Journal Proc. 2. Int. Equine. Sci. Mtg  
  Volume in press Issue Pages  
  Keywords (down) Cognitive approach; Horse training; Horse-Human relationship; Social environment; Social learning  
  Abstract In the last decade an increasing number of studies has been oriented towards equine social learning and their social behavior within the herd (Kruger‚ 2006-2008). In social species, social learning is important to learn and gain useful skills to move and live in their own social and environmental context. Group housing has been recognized as an important element to fulfill the physical and behavioral needs of horses, especially their need for social contact (Søndergaard‚ 2011). Still‚ when it comes to horse training, the social aspect and‚ in general‚ cognitive abilities of the horse are rarely taken into account. Although it is widely accepted that social isolation is stressful for horse (Mal et al, 1991a and 1991b) still isolating a young horse is the first step when it comes to training methods. Due to tradition and culture and our performance-oriented society it is both difficult to accept and apply a different social/cognitive training approach. Training sessions are focused on immediate results whereas in cognitive learning part of the process is latent and will not be visible immediately‚ but taking the cognitive skills into account plays an important role in avoiding tension both in the horse as in the human-horse interaction (Baragli and De Giorgio, 2011). In this study we tested the possibility to apply social learning by creating a social environment‚ favoring a cognitive learning approach‚ for the training of six young horses. The group existed in three males and three females, between two and three years old. All six showed initial difficulties and defense to human interaction. They were housed in two groups in adjacent spacious paddocks where they had ample opportunity to move and express their individual and social behavioral repertoire. Each horse had one training session per week without isolating it from the others. The training sessions were held following a cognitive-relational model defined as the equine-zooanthropologic approach (De Giorgio, 2010 – Marchesini, 2011). The learning objectives were to be able to handle each horse‚ conduct it‚ saddle and ride it within a maximum time-frame of two years. Every time a defensive or alert behavior would occur the training activity was re-arranged to not over-pressure the horse. Therefore the persons working with the horses carried out the activities without tight expectations focusing on the horses’ positive attention. After eighteen months all six horses were used to the saddle and to riding. None of the horses ever fled or showed defense behavior and in the case of unexpected events they showed no emotional reactivity/reactive behavior. Today the horses show the same calm behavior whenever worked individually. This preliminary study highlights how social learning applied to equestrian activity can be fundamental for safety and welfare and the establishment of a more problem-free relationship between horse and human. Safety as the defensive behavior seems to have been reduced and welfare as the horses have been trained in a social context without being isolated and thus without being stressed during the training experience.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author De Giorgio, F. Thesis  
  Publisher Xenophon Publishing Place of Publication Wald Editor Krueger, K.  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 978-3-9808134-26 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5528  
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Author Spinka, M.; Duncan, I.J.H.; Widowski, T.M. url  openurl
  Title Do domestic pigs prefer short-term to medium-term confinement? Type Journal Article
  Year 1998 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.  
  Volume 58 Issue 3-4 Pages 221-232  
  Keywords (down) Cognition; Pig-housing; Preference tests  
  Abstract A preference test was used to demonstrate that gilts have the ability to associate two sets of neutral cues with two different periods of confinement and water deprivation and to anticipate the long-term consequences of their choice in the test. Twelve gilts housed in two large, straw-bedded pens were trained to go to two sets of 12 crates, positioned on each side of a choice point, for feeding twice a day. Following initial training, the two sets of crates were marked with contrasting visual patterns and the patterns were associated with either 30 min (`short' confinement) or 240 min (`long' confinement) of confinement in the crates after entry. During 16 days of preference testing, the gilts were sent alternately to one side or the other in the mornings and allowed to choose in the afternoons. Eight gilts chose the short confinement side more often, two, the long confinement side more often and two, each side an equal number of times, indicating that most gilts learned the association and preferred to be released shortly after feeding. However, gilts still chose the long confinement side on occasion, suggesting that they did not find 240 min of confinement very aversive. When the gilts were sent to the crates in the morning, their behaviour indicated that they expected to be released or confined depending on which crate they were in. The cognitive abilities of animals with respect to perception of time and anticipation of future events have important implications for their welfare. This study demonstrates that methods can be developed to ask animals about such things.  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2910  
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