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Author |
Weeks, J.W.; Crowell-Davis, S.L.; Heusner, G. |
Title |
Preliminary study of the development of the Flehmen response in Equus caballus |
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Journal Article |
Year |
2002 |
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Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
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78 |
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2-4 |
Pages |
329-335 |
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Horse behavior; Flehmen; Foal development |
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The flehmen response is commonly seen in most ungulates as well as in several other species (e.g. felids). The behavior is most often thought to be part of the sexual behavioral repertoire of males. One reigning hypothesis suggests that this behavior allows the male to determine the estrous state of a female through the chemosensory functions of the vomeronasal organ. However, females and young of both sexes also exhibit this behavior. Horse foals most frequently show the flehmen response during their first month of life with colts showing the behavior more often than fillies. This study tested the flehmen response on male and female foals throughout their pre-pubertal period. Foals were separately presented estrous and non-estrous urine weekly during the first month of life and then monthly until they were approximately 7 months of age. No significant differences were found between male and female foals for the following variables: latency to flehmen, duration of flehmen, frequency of flehmen and sniffs. |
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615 |
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Tilson, R.L.; Sweeny, K.A.; Binczik, G.A.; Reindl, N.J. |
Title |
Buddies and bullies: Social structure of a bachelor group of Przewalski horses |
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Journal Article |
Year |
1988 |
Publication |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
Volume |
21 |
Issue |
1-2 |
Pages |
169-185 |
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The Minnesota Zoological Garden established a bachelor (i.e. all-male) group of 8 Przewalski horses (Equus przewalskii) in 1984. Possible methods for mixing males emerged through preliminary introductions and review of the relevant literature. These included: (1) grouping colts (<=3 years old) after removing them from their natal bands; (2) introducing adult stallions to colts in spacious, controlled environments to reduce the risk of combat-related injury or death associated with largely unpredictable adult temperament; (3) introducing more than 1 animal at a time to established groups. Based on the frequency and orientation of agonistic interactions observed among the bachelors, a linear dominance hierarchy was discerned among the 4 adult stallions; all 4 colts were determined to be of equally low or seemingly non-ranking status. Social rank among the adults was most influenced by individual temperament, and contention for rank was limited almost exclusively to the 3 lower-ranking stallions; the alpha male participated in 73% of all agonistic interactions observed, but was identified as the recipient in less than 3% of these interactions. Intra-band associations were detected in the bachelor group. The most prevalent of these was among the 4 colts, found together in over 70% of the observations. Other affinities commonly observed were between the colts (as a sub-group) and different stallions. The dominant stallion, the colts' most frequent companion, actively discouraged the 3 lower-ranking stallions from associating with the colts. Further, the colts were subjected to significantly fewer agonistic behaviors than the non-alpha stallions (per colt=1.05+/-0.24 h-1; per non-alpha stallion=2.01+/-0.04 h-1). These findings support the hypothesis developed by other workers for ungulates that young bachelors are sheltered from aggression by association with an alpha male. With one exception, adult associations were rarely noted. Although combat-related injuries (superficial wounds and temporary lameness) were common among the bachelors, few required medical attention. No permanent disabilities or deaths have occurred since the group's inception. The existence of social organization and intra-band associations in the bachelor group support the suggestion that such groups were once a natural part of this species' social milieu. Bachelor groups are therefore recommended as an ethologically sound, space- and cost-effective means of managing “surplus” (i.e. non-harem) male Przewalski horses. |
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781 |
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Weeks, J.W.; Crowell-Davis, S.L.; Caudle, A.B.; Heusner, G.L. |
Title |
Aggression and social spacing in light horse (Equus caballus) mares and foals |
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Journal Article |
Year |
2000 |
Publication |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
Volume |
68 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
319-337 |
Keywords |
Dominance relationships; Horse; Sex differences; Social ontogeny; aggregation; parent-offspring interaction; social behavior |
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Aggression and social spacing were studied in 14 light horse mares and their foals living at pasture. Focal samples were collected on each mare-foal dyad for 6 to 10.5 h from 2 months of foal age until weaning at approximately 4 months of age. Observations on foals continued until approximately 6 months of age for 7.5 to 10.5 h per foal. Every 2 min the identities of all individuals within 5 m were recorded. All occurrences of agonistic behavior, and the participants, were recorded during the focal samples. In addition, during feeding of supplemental grain, all occurrences of agonistic behavior by all subjects were recorded. Significant correlations were found between mare rank and the rank of foals both prior to and after weaning. Before weaning, the rank of the foal was significantly correlated with birth order. No significant correlation between birth order and foal rank was found for the post-weaning hierarchy. An animal's gender had no significant effect on foal rank or the choice of preferred associate. Both prior to and after weaning, foals associated preferentially with the foal of their dam's most preferred associate. In addition, significant positive correlations were found between rank of mares and foals and the rate at which they directed aggression to other herd members. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. |
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Cited By (since 1996): 7; Export Date: 21 April 2007; Source: Scopus |
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788 |
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Lloyd, A.S.; Martin, J.E.; Bornett-Gauci, H.L.I.; Wilkinson, R.G. |
Title |
Evaluation of a novel method of horse personality assessment: Rater-agreement and links to behaviour |
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Journal Article |
Year |
2007 |
Publication |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
Volume |
105 |
Issue |
1-3 |
Pages |
205-222 |
Keywords |
Personality; Horse; Individual differences; Behaviour; Reliability |
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The efficacy of questionnaire-based personality assessment has been shown in a variety of animal and human personality studies. There has been a recent increase in questionnaire-based studies focussing on equine personality but with a lack of comparability to studies on other species. The aim of this study was to test the reliability of an assessment method originally developed for primates and demonstrate reliability using three criteria (1) assessments by independent observers must agree with one another, (2) these assessments must predict behaviours and real-world outcomes and (3) observer ratings must be shown to reflect genuine attributes of the individuals rated, not merely the observer's implicit personality theories about how traits co-vary. The personality of 61 horses (Equus caballus) was assessed using a questionnaire constructed of 30 behaviourally defined adjectives (BDAs). Horses were each assessed by three judges, in addition to a total of 2 h behaviour observations recorded per horse. Rater agreement was demonstrated for 72.1% of the horses and 25 of the BDAs. Principal component analysis was carried out on the rating data and revealed six underlying personality components that were labelled “dominance”, “anxiousness”, “excitability”, “protection”, “sociability” and “inquisitiveness”. Component scores for horses were correlated against behavioural observations for the same horses and revealed significant correlations with 20 of the recorded behaviour variables. Correlations between specific components and their associated behaviours were logical and consistent with the types of behaviours that would be expected to be linked with such personality types. The data were shown to meet all three criteria and provided strong evidence that the assessment method was reliably measuring horse personality. |
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1981 |
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Visser, E.K.; van Reenen, C.G.; Schilder, M.B.H.; Barneveld, A.; Blokhuis, H.J. |
Title |
Learning performances in young horses using two different learning tests |
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Journal Article |
Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
Volume |
80 |
Issue |
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Pages |
311-326 |
Keywords |
Horse; Personality; Learning performance; Consistency; Emotionality |
Abstract |
To achieve optimal performance in equine sports as well as in leisure not only the physical abilities of the horse should be considered, but also the horse's personality. Besides temperamental aspects, like emotionality, or the horse's reactivity towards humans in handling situations, the learning ability of the horse is another relevant personality trait. To study whether differences in learning performance are consistent over time and whether individual learning performance differs between learning tests or is affected by emotionality, 39 young horses (Dutch Warmblood) were tested repeatedly in two learning tests. An aversive stimulus (AS) was used in one learning test (the avoidance learning test) and a reward was used in the other learning test (the reward learning test). During both learning tests behaviour as well as heart rate were measured. Each test was executed four times, twice when horses were 1 year of age, and twice when they were 2 years of age. Half of the horses received additional physical training from 6 months onwards. In both tests horses could be classified as either performers, i.e. completing the daily session, or as non-performers, i.e. returning to the home environment without having completed the daily session. There were some indications that emotionality might have caused non-performing behaviour, but these indications are not convincing enough to exclude other causes. Furthermore, there seem to be no simple relationships between measures of heart rate, behavioural responses putatively related to emotionality and learning performance. Horses revealed consistent individual learning performances within years in both tests, and in the avoidance learning test also between years. There was no significant correlation between learning performances in the avoidance learning test and the learning performances in the reward learning test. It is concluded that individual learning abilities are consistent over a short time interval for an avoidance learning test and a reward learning test and over a longer time for the avoidance learning test. Furthermore, results indicate that some horses perform better when they have to learn to avoid an aversive stimulus while others perform better when they are rewarded after a correct response. It is suggested that these differences may be relevant to design optimal individual training programmes and methods. |
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2009 |
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Lynch, J.J.; Hinch, G.N.; Bouissou, M.F.; Elwin, R.L.; Green, G.C.; Davies, H.I. |
Title |
Social organization in young Merino and Merino x Border Leicester ewes |
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Journal Article |
Year |
1989 |
Publication |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
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22 |
Issue |
1 |
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49-63 |
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The social behaviour of two groups of Merino ewes and one group of Merino x Border Leicester ewes was studied. Each group comprised eight sheep, 15 months of age and, within each group, the animals were of similar liveweight. Dominance rankings were established at each test, but there was little consistency in ewe rank over time. Similarly, little consistency was found in ewe ranking for movement order between pens, and for exploratory and fear test rankings. However, with tests on movement orders, some consistency in the sheep which ranked first was shown. In the field, no aggression was seen while sheep were grazing and there were no occasions when ranking related to movement could be observed. There were short-term associations between pairs of sheep, but these occurred in less than half the individuals. Although the spatial distribution was not studied, the lack of long-term association between pairs would suggest that strong spatial preference does not occur. It is concluded that the social organization of single-age Merino and Merino x Border Leicester ewes is not based on dominance or leadership ranking nor on long-term associations between individuals. |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ room B 3.029 |
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2036 |
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Sherwin, C.M.; Johnson, K.G. |
Title |
The influence of social factors on the use of shade by sheep |
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Journal Article |
Year |
1987 |
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Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
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18 |
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2 |
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143-155 |
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Individual differences in shading behaviour within a flock of sheep could be due to differences in thermoregulatory capabilities or to the influence of social factors. The possible influence of social factors on shade-use is examined in this paper. Two measures of dominance were made on 39 Merino wethers. These were based on the hierarchy determined by butting during feeding and on priority of access to limited feed. Leadership was also assessed while driving the sheep to a woolshed and as the sheep entered weighing scales. These behavioural traits were compared with leadership to shade and shade-use observed on 9 days during summer in a small pastureless enclosure containing natural shade. Maximum ambient temperature on these 9 days varied between 29.0 and 39.5[degree sign]C. All behavioural traits examined were significantly repeatable. The two dominance ranks were negatively correlated (P<0.05). The butting hierarchy was correlated with shading behaviour; those sheep that butted the larger proportion of the flock were seen to shade for longer periods of time (P=0.05). This relationship became more significant as environmental temperature increased. Significant (P<0.05) differences in the amount of time each sheep spent shading were evident throughout the flock, but in particular seven individuals shaded much less than others. Shade-use increased in hot weather and was slightly more strongly correlated with radiation load than with air temperature. The non-shading leadership ranks were related neither to each other nor to the leadership to shade. However, the sheep that moved to shade first remained there longest (P<0.05). Reduced motivation to feed did not appear to explain early movement to shade. Few overtly aggressive or other interactions between animals were seen to be associated with movements to or within shade. Nonetheless, the results indicate that social forces do exert some influence on shade-use. |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ room B 3.029 |
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2037 |
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Vieuille, C.; Berger, F.; Le Pape, G.; Bellanger, D. |
Title |
Sow behaviour involved in the crushing of piglets in outdoor farrowing huts--a brief report |
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Journal Article |
Year |
2003 |
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Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
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Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
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80 |
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2 |
Pages |
109-115 |
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Pig-maternal behaviour; Crushing; Free-ranging; Welfare |
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This study focuses on maternal activities involved in the trapping of piglets by the sow's body in outdoor farrowing systems and examine the mother-piglet context leading either to the death of piglets or to their survival. The behaviour of six Large-WhitexLandrace sows and their litters was continuously video recorded at their first and second parity, during the 40 h following parturition. Crushing mainly occurred at evening and night, during the first 12 h of farrowing and involved changes between lying, sitting and standing positions, as well as between udder and side lying. No piglet died from savaging. Nevertheless, aggressive behaviours of sows were observed, particularly in their first maternal experience. The immediate context of trapping was related to the labour of the sow and to the feeding and resting of piglets. The immediate crushing context was related to active avoidance of restless piglets while lying down, as well as sitting and standing behaviours. These results are discussed in terms of differential reactions of the sow to suckling attempts of piglets. |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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2235 |
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Nogueira, S.S. da C.; Nogueira-Filho, S.L.G.; Bassford, M.; Silvius, K.; Fragoso, J.M.V. |
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Feral pigs in Hawai`i: Using behavior and ecology to refine control techniques |
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Journal Article |
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2007 |
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Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
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Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
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108 |
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1-2 |
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1-11 |
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Sus scrofa; Invasive species; Wildlife management; Pest management; Vertebrate pest control |
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Early Polynesians settlers were the first to introduce pigs to the Hawaiian Islands. Later Captain Cook brought European pigs during his first voyage to Hawai`i. Many other importations have followed. Animals from these introductions became feral and dispersed throughout the islands. Free-ranging pigs are now considered pests with negative impacts on some native biota. Several methods to control the ecological damage attributed to pigs have been adopted, such as fencing, hunting, live trapping and poisoning. However, the absence of behavioral knowledge in current control programs has resulted in inefficient management of this species. Therefore, the feral pig problem continues, and what before was almost strictly an agricultural and conservation concern has now become an urban problem as well. The aim of this study is to describe the state of knowledge on feral pig behavior in the Hawaiian Islands, introducing potential management approaches derived from the principles of behavioral ecology. Considering behavioral aspects of feral pig ecology, such as cognition and communication could help improve capture techniques, keep feral pigs away from urban areas and begin to resolve human-wildlife conflicts. |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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2887 |
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Ernst, K.; Puppe, B.; Schon, P.C.; Manteuffel, G. |
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A complex automatic feeding system for pigs aimed to induce successful behavioural coping by cognitive adaptation |
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Journal Article |
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2005 |
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Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
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Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
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91 |
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3-4 |
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205-218 |
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Learning; Cognition; Reward; Welfare; Pig |
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In modern intensive husbandry systems there is an increasing tendency for animals to interact with technical equipment. If the animal-technology interface is well-designed this may improve animal welfare by offering challenges for cognitive adaptation. Here a system and its application is presented that acoustically calls individual pigs out of a group (n = 8) to a feeding station. In three different learning phases, the computer-controlled “call-feeding-station” (CFS) trained the animals to recognize a specific acoustic signal as a summons for food, using a combination of classical and operant conditioning techniques. The experimental group's stall contained four CFSs, at each of which one animal at a time was able to feed. When an animal had learned to discriminate and recognize its individual acoustic signal it had to localize the particular CFS that was calling and to enter inside it. Then, it received a portion of feed, the amount of which was adapted to the respective age of the animals. Each animal was called at several, unpredictable times each day and the computer programme ensured that the total feed supply was sufficient for each animal. In the last phase of the experiment the animals, in addition, had to press a button with an increasing fixed ratio for the delivery of feed. It was demonstrated that the pigs were able to adapt quickly to the CFSs. Although they were challenged over 12 h daily by requirements of attention, sensory localization and motor efforts to gain comparatively low amounts of feed, they performed well and reached fairly constant success rates between 90 and 95% and short delays between 14 and 16 s between a summons and the food release in the last phase of the experiment. The weight gain during the experiment was the same as in a conventionally fed control group (n = 8). We therefore conclude that CFSs present a positive challenge to the animals with no negative effects on performance but with a potentially beneficial role for welfare and against boredom. The system is also a suitable experimental platform for research on the effects of successful adaptation by rewarded cognitive processes in pigs. |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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2898 |
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