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Author (up) Baragli, P.; Mariti, C.; Petri, L.; De Giorgio, F.; Sighieri, C.
Title Does attention make the difference? Horses' response to human stimulus after 2 different training strategies Type Journal Article
Year 2011 Publication Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research Abbreviated Journal J Vet Behav Clin Appl Res
Volume 6 Issue 1 Pages 31-38
Keywords attention; exploration; horse; human stimulus; training
Abstract We hypothesized that in an open environment, horses cope with a series of challenges in

their interactions with human beings. If the horse is not physically constrained and is free to move

in a small enclosure, it has additional options regarding its behavioral response to the trainer. The

aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of 2 different training strategies on the horse’s behavioral

response to human stimuli. In all, 12 female ponies were randomly divided into the following 2

groups: group A, wherein horses were trained in a small enclosure (where indicators of the level of

attention and behavioral response were used to modulate the training pace and the horse’s control over

its response to the stimuli provided by the trainer) and group B, wherein horses were trained in a closed

environment (in which the trainer’s actions left no room for any behavioral response except for the one

that was requested). Horses’ behavior toward the human subject and their heart rate during 2 standardized

behavioral tests were used to compare the responses of the 2 groups. Results indicated that the

horses in group A appeared to associate human actions with a positive experience, as highlighted by

the greater degree of explorative behavior toward human beings shown by these horses during the tests.

The experience of the horses during training may have resulted in different evaluations of the person, as

a consequence of the human’s actions during training; therefore, it seems that horses evaluate human

beings on daily relationship experiences.
Address attention; exploration; horse; human stimulus; training
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1558-7878 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5286
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Author (up) Calcagnoli, F.; Boer, S.F.; Althaus, M.; Boer, J.A.; Koolhaas, J.M.
Title Antiaggressive activity of central oxytocin in male rats Type Journal Article
Year 2013 Publication Abbreviated Journal Psychopharmacology
Volume 229 Issue 4 Pages 639-651
Keywords Oxytocin; Offensive aggression; Social exploration; Individual variability
Abstract Rationale A substantial body of research suggests that the

neuropeptide oxytocin promotes social affiliative behaviors

in a wide range of animals including humans. However, its

antiaggressive action has not been unequivocally demonstrated

in male laboratory rodents.

Objective Our primary goal was to examine the putative

serenic effect of oxytocin in a feral strain (wild type

Groningen, WTG) of rats that generally show a much

broader variation and higher levels of intermale aggression

than commonly used laboratory strains of rats.

Methods Resident animals were intracerebroventricularly

(icv) administered with different doses of synthetic oxytocin

and oxytocin receptor antagonist, alone and in combination,

in order to manipulate brain oxytocin functioning and to

assess their behavioral response to an intruder.

Results Our data clearly demonstrate that acute icv administered

oxytocin produces dose-dependent and receptorselective

changes in social behavior, reducing aggression

and potentiating social exploration. These antiaggressive

effects are stronger in the more offensive rats. On the other

hand, administration of an oxytocin receptor antagonist

tends to increase (nonsignificantly) aggression only in

low–medium aggressive animals.

Conclusions These results suggest that transiently enhancing

brain oxytocin function has potent antiaggressive effects,

whereas its attenuation tends to enhance aggressiveness. In

addition, a possible inverse relationship between trait aggression

and endogenous oxytocinergic signaling is revealed.

Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of brain

oxytocinergic signaling for regulating intermale offensive aggression.

This study supports the suggestion that oxytocin

receptor agonists could clinically be useful for curbing heightened

aggression seen in a range of neuropsychiatric disorders

like antisocial personality disorder, autism, and addiction.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Springer Berlin Heidelberg Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0033-3158 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5723
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Author (up) Stöwe, M. & Kotrschal, K.
Title Behavioural phenotypes may determine whether social context facilitates or delays novel object exploration in ravens. Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication International Journal of Ornithology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 148 Issue Suppl 2 Pages 179-184
Keywords Corvus corax – Novel object exploration – Personality – Social facilitation
Abstract Individuals consistently differ in behavioural phenotypes. Here we examine the interaction between behavioural phenotype and response to social context during novel object exploration in a neophobic corvid species, the raven (Corvus corax). The presence of conspecifics tends to encourage object exploration and learning but may also delay or even inhibit exploratory behaviour. Factors such as individual differences in response to social context may determine whether the presence of a conspecific facilitates or inhibits approach to novel objects. We confronted eleven six-month-old hand-raised ravens with novel objects, both individually and in dyadic combinations. We defined individuals as “fast” and “slow” explorers on the basis of their approach latency to novel objects when tested individually. The presence of a conspecific delayed the approach of fast birds to novel objects. Slow birds, in contrast, approached the novel objects with lower latencies and spent more time close to them when in dyads with fast siblings than when alone. The individuals" approach behaviour seemed to determine whether social context facilitated or delayed exploratory behaviour. This may contribute to explaining ambiguous results concerning the effects of social context in previous studies.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4507
Permanent link to this record