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Author (up) Hanggi, E.B.
Title The Thinking Horse: Cognition and Perception Type Conference Article
Year 2005 Publication International Veterinary Information Service Abbreviated Journal AAEP
Volume 51 Issue Pages
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Abstract Cognition and perception in horses has often been misunderstood. Not only in the past but even today, people proclaim that horses react only by instinct, that they are just conditioned-response animals, that they lack advanced cognitive ability, and that they have poor visual capabilities (e.g., acuity, color vision, depth perception). Until relatively recently, there was little scientific evidence to address such beliefs. Change, however, is underway as scientific and public interest in all aspects of equine learning and perception intensifies. A review of the scientific literature, as well as practical experience, shows that horses excel at simpler forms of learning such as classical and operant conditioning, which is not surprising considering their trainability when these principles and practices are applied. Furthermore, horses have shown ease in stimulus generalization and discrimination learning. Most recently and unexpected by many, horses have solved advanced cognitive challenges involving categorization learning and some degree of concept formation. A comprehensive understanding of the cognitive and perceptual abilities of horses is necessary to ensure that this species receives proper training, handling, management, and care.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 465
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Author (up) Hanggi, E.B.
Title Discrimination learning based on relative size concepts in horses (Equus caballus) Type Journal Article
Year 2003 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume 83 Issue 3 Pages 201-213
Keywords Horse; Concept; Size transposition; Generalization; Learning; Training
Abstract This study explored whether or not horses (Equus caballus) could respond to stimuli using a concept based on relative size. In Experiment 1, after learning to respond to the larger of the two stimuli for six sets of two-dimensional (2D) training exemplars, one horse was tested for size transposition that used novel larger and smaller stimuli as well as three-dimensional (3D) objects (5 two-dimensional sets and 5 three-dimensional sets with large, medium, small, and tiny sizes). The horse correctly chose (significantly above chance) the larger of two stimuli regardless of novelty or dimension or combination. In Experiment 2, two additional horses were tested using a subset of the stimuli from Experiment 1. One horse was required to select the larger stimulus--as in Experiment 1--and the other the smaller stimulus. After learning the task, both horses responded correctly to new stimuli and showed size transposition. These results suggest that at least some horses are capable of solving problems based on relative size concepts. Moreover, they are able to generalize across situations that vary from flat, black shapes to objects of different materials and colors including balls, flower pots, and PVC connectors. These findings support earlier research that showed that horses could categorize certain stimuli, and provide new evidence that they are capable of using some form of concept for problem solving. Understanding that horses have more advanced learning abilities than was previously believed should help improve training methods and management.
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Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 398
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Author (up) Hanggi, E.B.
Title Can Horses Recognize Pictures? Type Journal Article
Year 2001 Publication Proceedings of the Third International Conference of Cognitive Science Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 52-56
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Publisher Place of Publication Beijing, China. Editor
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3566
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Author (up) Hanggi, E.B.
Title Categorization Learning in Horses (Equus caballus) Type Journal Article
Year 1999 Publication Journal of Comparative Psychology Abbreviated Journal J. Comp. Psychol.
Volume 113 Issue 3 Pages 243-252
Keywords
Abstract Categorization learning was investigated in 2 horses (Equus caballus). Both horses learned to select a 2-dimensional black stimulus with an open center instead of a filled stimulus in a 2-choice discrimination task. After a criterion of 10 out of 10 correct responses in a random series for 2 consecutive sessions was reached, 15 additional pairs of open-center versus filled stimuli were tested. Each was run to criterion and then incorporated into sessions of randomly mixed problems. Both horses solved the 1st problem by simple pattern discrimination and showed evidence of categorical processing for subsequent problems. New pairs were learned with few or no errors, and correct responses on novel trials were significantly above chance. These results suggest that the horses were making their selections on the basis of shared characteristics with the training stimuli and were using categorization skills in problem solving.
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Notes Approved yes
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3678
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Author (up) Hanggi, E.B.
Title Interocular transfer of learning In horses (Equus caballus) Type Journal Article
Year 1999 Publication Journal of Equine Veterinary Science Abbreviated Journal J Equine Vet Sci
Volume 19 Issue 8 Pages 518-524
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3564
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Author (up) Hanggi, E.B.; Ingersoll, J.F.
Title Lateral vision in horses: A behavioral investigation Type Journal Article
Year 2012 Publication Behavioural Processes Abbreviated Journal Behav. Process.
Volume 91 Issue 1 Pages 70-76
Keywords Lateral vision; Horse; Equine; Stimulus discrimination; Field of view; Peripheral
Abstract This study investigated lateral vision in horses (Equus caballus) for the first time from a behavioral point of view. Three horses were tested using a novel experimental design to determine the range of their lateral and caudolateral vision with respect to stimulus detection and discrimination. Real-life stimuli were presented along a curvilinear wall in one of four different positions (A, B, C, D) and one of two height locations (Top, Bottom) on both sides of the horse. To test for stimulus detection, the correct stimulus was paired against a control; for stimulus discrimination, the correct stimulus was paired against another object. To indicate that the correct stimulus was detected or discriminated, the horses pushed one of two paddles. All horses scored significantly above chance on stimulus detection trials regardless of stimulus position or location. They also accurately discriminated between stimuli when objects appeared in positions A, B, and C for the top or bottom locations; however, they failed to discriminate these stimuli at position D. This study supports physiological descriptions of the equine eye and provides new behavioral data showing that horses can detect the appearance of objects within an almost fully encompassing circle and are able to identify objects within most but not all of their panoramic field of view.
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ISSN 0376-6357 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5621
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Author (up) Hanggi, E.B.; Ingersoll, J.F.
Title Long-term memory for categories and concepts in horses (Equus caballus) Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication Animal Cognition Abbreviated Journal Anim. Cogn.
Volume 13 Issue 3 Pages 451-462
Keywords Horse – Long-term memory – Concept – Categorization – Discrimination – LCD display – Equine
Abstract Three horses (Equus caballus) with a history of performing cognitive tasks including discrimination learning, categorization, and concept use were tested to evaluate their long-term memory (LTM) in three experiments. In addition, use of LCD multi-displays for stimulus presentation was incorporated into cognition testing protocol for the first time with horses. Experiment 1 tested LTM for discrimination learning that originally occurred 6 years earlier. Five sets of stimuli were used and the two horses tested showed no decrement in performance on four of the sets; however, both horses did score below chance on one set. Experiment 2 examined long-term categorization recall 10 years after horses had demonstrated the ability to make stimulus selections based on shared characteristics within a given category. The horse tested for LTM after the decade-long interval immediately and consistently applied the previously learned categorization rule to not only familiar but also novel sets of stimuli. Experiment 3 tested another horse for LTM for a relative size concept. This horse had originally demonstrated concept rule use in order to select stimuli based on their relative size to one another. More than 7 years later and without further training, this horse reliably applied the previously established size concept to both familiar and novel sets of stimuli. These findings are the first reports of long-term categorical and conceptual memory in horses and are consistent with observations of domestic and wild horses, which indicate that behavioral and ecological events may be remembered for long periods of time. These studies also demonstrate the adaptive nature of horses with regard to their ability to generalize over several different testing conditions.
Address Equine Research Foundation, P.O. Box 1900, Aptos, CA, 95001, USA, EquiResF@aol.com
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ISSN 1435-9456 ISBN Medium
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Notes PMID:19148689 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4760
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Author (up) 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 0376-6357 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5051
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Author (up) Hanggi, E.B.; Ingersoll, J.F.; Waggoner, T.L.
Title Color vision in horses (Equus caballus): deficiencies identified using a pseudoisochromatic plate test Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication Journal of Comparative Psychology Abbreviated Journal J. Comp. Psychol.
Volume 121 Issue 1 Pages 65-72
Keywords Animals; Appetitive Behavior; *Color Perception; Color Perception Tests/veterinary; *Discrimination Learning; Female; Horses/*psychology; Male; Sensitivity and Specificity
Abstract In the past, equine color vision was tested with stimuli composed either of painted cards or photographic slides or through physiological testing using electroretinogram flicker photometry. Some studies produced similar results, but others did not, demonstrating that there was not yet a definitive answer regarding color vision in horses (Equus caballus). In this study, a pseudoisochromatic plate test--which is highly effective in testing color vision both in small children and in adult humans--was used for the first time on a nonhuman animal. Stimuli consisted of different colored dotted circles set against backgrounds of varying dots. The coloration of the circles corresponded to the visual capabilities of different types of color deficiencies (anomalous trichromacy and dichromacy). Four horses were tested on a 2-choice discrimination task. All horses successfully reached criterion for gray circles and demonstration circles. None of the horses were able to discriminate the protan-deutan plate or the individual protan or deutan plates. However, all were able to discriminate the tritan plate. The results suggest that horses are dichromats with color vision capabilities similar to those of humans with red-green color deficiencies.
Address Equine Research Foundation, Aptos, CA 95001, USA. EquiResF@aol.com
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ISSN 0735-7036 ISBN Medium
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Notes PMID:17324076 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ ; Equine Behaviour @ team @ room B 3.029 Serial 1972
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