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Author Christensen, J.W.; Zharkikh, T.; Chovaux, E.
Title Object recognition and generalisation during habituation in horses Type Journal Article
Year 2011 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume (down) 129 Issue 2-4 Pages 83-91
Keywords Horse; Habituation; Object recognition; Generalisation
Abstract The ability of horses to habituate to frightening stimuli greatly increases safety in the horse-human relationship. A recent experiment suggested, however, that habituation to frightening visual stimuli is relatively stimulus-specific in horses and that shape and colour are important factors for object generalisation (Christensen et al., 2008). In a series of experiments, we aimed to further explore the ability of horses (n = 30, 1 and 2-year-old mares) to recognise and generalise between objects during habituation. TEST horses (n = 15) were habituated to a complex object, composed of five simple objects of varying shape and colour, whereas CONTROL horses (n = 15) were habituated to the test arena, but not to the complex object. In the first experiment, we investigated whether TEST horses subsequently reacted less to i) simple objects that were previously part of the complex object (i.e. testing for object recognition) and ii) a novel object (new shape and colour, i.e. testing for object generalisation), compared to CONTROLS. In the second experiment we investigated whether TEST horses reacted to a change in object order and object location. Behavioural reactions to the object, latency to eat, total eating time and heart rate were recorded. Compared to CONTROLS, TEST horses reacted significantly less towards objects, which were previously part of the complex object (e.g. mean heart rate; P = 0.006), indicating object recognition. In contrast to our expectations, TEST horses also reacted significantly less towards the novel object (e.g. mean heart rate; P = 0.018), suggesting that they were capable of object generalisation. We also found that TEST horses showed an increase in exploratory behaviour when objects within the complex object changed order and location (both P < 0.001), whereas there was no increase in heart rate, indicating that the horses were not frightened by the changes. The results demonstrate that it is possible to increase object generalisation in horses by habituating them to a range of colours and shapes simultaneously. This knowledge greatly affects the way in which horses may be trained to react calmly towards frightening objects.
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ISSN 0168-1591 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5328
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Author Jørgensen, G.H.M.; Liestøl, S.H.-O.; Bøe, K.E.
Title Effects of enrichment items on activity and social interactions in domestic horses (Equus caballus) Type Journal Article
Year 2011 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume (down) 129 Issue 2 Pages 100-110
Keywords Horse; Activity; Behaviour; Item; Enrichment; Social interactions
Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the use of items intended to provide enrichment during turnout, both for individual and group kept horses in an attempt to reduce the amount of passive behaviours. The study was divided into two parts, where study 1 involved eight horses rotated through eight individual paddocks, each containing one of seven enrichment items and one paddock being kept without item, functioning as a control. The horses' item-directed behaviours; passive behaviours or other non-item related activities were scored using instantaneous sampling, every minute for 1h at the beginning and the end of the turnout period. Study 2 involved six horse groups (3-6 horses) and the same scoring methods and ethogram as in study 1. The four items that the horses interacted the most with during study 1 (straw STRA, ball filled with concentrates CBALL, branches BRAN and scratching pole POLE) are investigated in study 2. In addition, the amount of social interactions was recorded. Both horses kept individually (P<0.05) and in groups (P<0.0001) performed significantly more item-directed behaviours towards edible items like STRA and CBALL than other objects. There was, however, no overall relation between the numbers of item-directed behaviours and the number of passive behaviours observed, indicating that the enrichment items did not alone reduce the amount of passive behaviours during turnout periods. Such a reduction was, however, only apparent when horses spent more time eating green leaves growing on the paddock surface (R=-0.97 study 1, R=-0.67 study 2, P<0.0001). Access to STRA in group kept horses also seemed to reduce the amount of agonistic behaviours (P<0.0001). In conclusion, if grass is not available in paddocks, the provision of roughage reduces the amount of passive behaviours in singly kept horses and it also reduces the risk of agonistic interactions between horses kept in group.
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ISSN 0168-1591 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6604
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Author Westerduin, F.E.; Lankveld, D.P.K.; van der Velden, M.A.; Back, W.; Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan, M.M.
Title [Splenectomy in a dressage pony: end of sports career?] Type Journal Article
Year 2003 Publication Tijdschrift Voor Diergeneeskunde Abbreviated Journal Tijdschr Diergeneeskd
Volume (down) 128 Issue 13 Pages 406-411
Keywords Animals; Biopsy/veterinary; Colic/surgery/veterinary; Horse Diseases/pathology/*surgery/ultrasonography; Horses; Laparotomy/veterinary; Male; Splenectomy/*veterinary; Splenomegaly/surgery/ultrasonography/*veterinary; *Sports
Abstract A 14-year-old Arabian cross-bred gelding was referred to the University Clinic because of mild, recurrent signs of colic for 5 days. The pony showed icteric mucous membranes, haemolytic blood, and dark coloured urine. Internal examination did not give a clear diagnosis. Unidentified intra-abdominal strands were found and haemorrhagic abdominocentesis led to the decision to perform an exploratory laparatomy. An extremely enlarged spleen was the sole finding. A splenal biopsy sample was taken and surgery was completed. The pony remained colicky, so the spleen was examined by ultrasonography. After this examination, the tentative diagnosis 'tumour of the spleen' was made and splenectomy was performed. Pathological examination of the spleen revealed splenomegaly caused by infarctions of unknown origin. Eight weeks after surgery, the pony started again in dressage competition. Six months after splenectomy, the pony won the provincial dressage competition.
Address Hoofdafdeling Gezondheidszorg Paard, Faculteit der Diergeneeskunde, Universiteit Utrecht, Yalelaan 12-16, 3584 CM Utrecht. fenna-lambert@planet.nl
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Dutch Summary Language Original Title Splenectomie bij een dressuurpony: einde sportcarriere?
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0040-7453 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:12870176 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3722
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Author Christensen, J.W.; Beekmans, M.; van Dalum, M.; VanDierendonck, M.
Title Effects of hyperflexion on acute stress responses in ridden dressage horses Type Journal Article
Year 2014 Publication Physiology & Behavior Abbreviated Journal Physiol. Behav.
Volume (down) 128 Issue Pages 39-45
Keywords Behaviour; Dressage; Horse; Hyperflexion; Rein tension; Stress
Abstract The effects of hyperflexion on the welfare of dressage horses have been debated. This study aimed to investigate acute stress responses of dressage horses ridden in three different Head-and-Neck-positions (HNPs). Fifteen dressage horses were ridden by their usual rider in a standardised 10-min dressage programme in either the competition frame (CF), hyperflexion (“Low-Deep-and-Round”; LDR) or a looser frame (LF) in a balanced order on three separate test days. Heart rate (HR), heart rate variability parameters (HRV), behaviour and rein tension were recorded during the test. Salivary cortisol concentrations were measured 60min before and 0, 5, 15 and 30min after the test. Rein tension was significantly lower in LF and did not differ between CF and LDR; however approx. 15% of recordings in CF and LDR were above the sensor detection limit of 5kg. The horses had significantly higher cortisol concentrations directly after LDR compared to LF. In addition, the horses showed more distinctive head movements, including head waving, during LDR. There were no significant treatment effects on HR and HRV. In conclusion, the results indicate that LDR may be more stressful to these horses during riding.
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ISSN 0031-9384 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6507
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Author Hockenhull, J.; Creighton, E.
Title Unwanted oral investigative behaviour in horses: A note on the relationship between mugging behaviour, hand-feeding titbits and clicker training Type Journal Article
Year 2010 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume (down) 127 Issue 3-4 Pages 104-107
Keywords Equine; Horse; Titbits; Food rewards; Clicker training; Mugging behaviour
Abstract Unwanted oral investigative in horses has been anecdotally attributed to the practice of hand-feeding. Fears over such behaviour developing as a consequence of using food rewards, for example in clicker training, have been implicated as a common reason for not employing food-based positive reinforcement training techniques. This study used data generated as part of a larger research project, and explored associations between five common oral investigative behaviours and the practices of hand-feeding and clicker training. Data were from a convenience sample of UK leisure horse owners using two self-administered Internet surveys. Ninety-one percent of respondents reported giving their horse food by hand and this practice was significantly associated with three of the five oral investigative behaviours, licking hands (P = 0.006), gently searching clothing (P < 0.001) and roughly searching clothing (P = 0.003). Nipping hands and biting clothes were not associated with hand-feeding, suggesting that risk factors for these behaviours originate outside of this practice. Clicker training techniques were employed by 14% of respondents and their use was not associated with the incidence of any of the five oral investigative behaviours. These findings suggest that horse owners should not be deterred from using food-based positive reinforcement techniques with their horses, as fears that this practice will result in unwanted oral investigative behaviours from their horses appear unfounded.
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Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0168-1591 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5183
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Author Alexander, F.
Title Multiple fistulation of the horse's large intestine Type Journal Article
Year 1970 Publication The British veterinary journal Abbreviated Journal Br. Vet. J.
Volume (down) 126 Issue 11 Pages 604-606
Keywords Animals; Cecum/physiology; Colon/physiology; Horses/*physiology; Intestinal Fistula; Intestine, Large/*physiology; *Intubation, Gastrointestinal; Methods
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Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0007-1935 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:5492494 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 115
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Author Hothersall, B.; Harris, P.; Sörtoft, L.; Nicol, C.J.
Title Discrimination between conspecific odour samples in the horse (Equus caballus) Type Journal Article
Year 2010 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume (down) 126 Issue 1-2 Pages 37-44
Keywords Horse; Olfaction; Social discrimination; Urine; Faeces
Abstract Behavioural observations suggest that smell is important in social discriminations between horses but balanced studies of this capacity are lacking. We used a habituation-discrimination procedure to investigate the ability of horses to distinguish between pairs of odour samples from different individuals. In Study 1, separate tests were conducted for urine, faeces or fleece fabric previously rubbed on the coat (to pick up body odour samples (BOS)) and donor pairs differed in sex, and age. 10 pregnant mares each underwent three tests, one per sample type. A test consisted of three successive 2-min presentations of a sample from Individual A with a simultaneous presentation of a sample from Individual B during the final presentation. Doubly repeated measures ANOVA indicated a main effect of sample type on investigative response (df = 2, f = 7.98, P = 0.004): durations were longer for BOS than for urine or faeces but habituation across trials was most consistent for urine. In the final presentation, mares demonstrated discrimination by investigating the novel urine sample (B) more than the repeated sample (novel: median 8.0 s, IQR = 10; repeated: median 2.5 s, IQR = 6; z = -2.558, P = 0.008). In Study 2, urine samples from castrated male donors were used and neither mares nor their 4-month-old foals discriminated between samples from different individuals in the final presentation. The findings suggest that urine odour may contain some information that horses can use to discriminate between conspecifics. This may be limited to the level of broad categories such as sex or reproductive status; further investigation is needed to reveal what functional information can be transmitted and what compounds are involved.
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ISSN 0168-1591 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5134
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Author Gabor, V.; Gerken, M.
Title Horses use procedural learning rather than conceptual learning to solve matching to sample Type Journal Article
Year 2010 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume (down) 126 Issue 3-4 Pages 119-124
Keywords Horses; Concept learning; Visual discrimination; Cognition; Experimental design; Procedural learning
Abstract Research into higher cognitive abilities of the horse may be limited by developing the adequate experimental design. In this study four pony mares between 8 and 19 years old were included. Three of them reached the criterion to be tested in a new design of matching to sample using a black circle and a cross as visual cues attached to an apparatus. The attention was directed to the question of whether the animals are able to concept formation in a given time period or if their decisions depend on other cues or strategies. After familiarization to the testing area and the test procedure, the animals were given 27 sessions of 20 trials each during 14 weeks. While there was no preference for one of the stimuli used, horses showed a significant left sidedness. None of the mares reached the learning criterion of 80% correct answers in one session. However, the ponies showed procedural learning based on correction runs that were given between incorrect decisions, by then selecting the correct stimulus on the other side of the apparatus. This learning type arose in three individuals in session four, six and eleven, respectively. It is concluded that discrimination tasks may be biased by the involvement of unexpected learning strategies, which complicates the interpretation of such tests and may even mask possible conceptualization capabilities.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
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Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0168-1591 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5157
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Author Brubaker, L.; Udell, M.A.R.
Title Cognition and learning in horses (Equus caballus): What we know and why we should ask more Type Journal Article
Year 2016 Publication Behavioural Processes Abbreviated Journal
Volume (down) 126 Issue Pages 121-131
Keywords Horse behaviour; Horse welfare; Learning; Social cognition
Abstract Abstract Horses (Equus caballus) have a rich history in their relationship with humans. Across different cultures and eras they have been utilized for work, show, cultural rituals, consumption, therapy, and companionship and continue to serve in many of these roles today. As one of the most commonly trained domestic animals, understanding how horses learn and how their relationship with humans and other horses impacts their ability to learn has implications for horse welfare, training, husbandry and management. Given that unlike dogs and cats, domesticated horses have evolved from prey animals, the horse-human relationship poses interesting and unique scientific questions of theoretical value. There is still much to be learned about the cognition and behaviour of horses from a scientific perspective. This review explores current research within three related areas of horse cognition: human-horse interactions, social learning and independent learning in horses. Research on these topics is summarized and suggestions for future research are provided.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
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Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0376-6357 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6021
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Author Alexander, F.; Davies, M.E.
Title Studies on vitamin B12 in the horse Type Journal Article
Year 1969 Publication The British veterinary journal Abbreviated Journal Br. Vet. J.
Volume (down) 125 Issue 4 Pages 169-176
Keywords Animals; Biological Assay; Cattle; Chickens; Feces/analysis; Horses/*metabolism; Humans; Lactobacillus/metabolism; Rabbits; Rats; Sheep; Urine/analysis; Vitamin B 12/*analysis
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Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0007-1935 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:5814055 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 116
Permanent link to this record