toggle visibility Search & Display Options

Select All    Deselect All
 |   | 
Details
   print
  Records Links
Author Baragli, P.; Regolin, L pdf  openurl
  Title Cognitive Tests in Equids (Equus caballus and Equus Asinus) Type Conference Article
  Year 2008 Publication IESM 2008 Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords  
  Abstract (down) For ages horses and donkeys constituted the most important domesticated animals. Even though equids were often bred and kept in close proximity to humans, surprisingly little is known about their cognitive abilities. Traditionally, horses are not regarded as clever animals; common beliefs maintain that the horses“ behaviour is merely driven by conditioned-responses. Additionally, from an anthropomorphic point of view donkeys are believed to be ”stupid“ animals.

Our study investigates the equids” ability to recover a hidden object. For this purpose the animal has to create and maintain a representation of the object and its location in space, from the moment in which it disappears from direct perception, till the moment in which it reappears. The knowledge about objects being entities that continue to exist even when they are no longer available for direct perception is refered to as the well known concept of “object permanence”.

We primarly assessed the ability of Esperia's pony and donkeys to solve a Detour problem while employing an opaque “U-shaped” barrier. Each animal observed a food bucket moving and disappearing behind the barrier. Immediately after the object"s disappearance, the animal was released to search for the object. If it solved the task by detouring the barrier it was positively reinforced.

The ability to retain in memory the hidden object as well as its spatial location was subsequently tested in the presence of two, rather than one, screens (Working Memory testing phase). The food bucket was made to move and hidden behind one of the two identical screens, while the animal was watching it. Following a pre-established delayed period of 10 sec, the animal was set free to look for the food. In such a test the detour problem is combined with the classical delayed-response task, which is in use for the comparison of memory duration in different species.

In order to recover the hidden objects, animals must encode, maintain and correctly regain from their working memory the existence of the no longer visible object and its location from their working memory.

Both donkeys and ponies performed the Detour task showing to grasp the fact that an object which is no longer perceivable still continues to exist and can be regained. They also were able to correctly retrieve the goal object after a delay of 10 s in the Working Memory tasks, showing that they had encoded, maintained and correclty retrieved from their working memory the spatial location of the hidden object as well as its existence.

Nevertheless, when Standardbreds, raised in traditional stables, were tested in identical conditions to those describe for the ponies and donkeys, they could not succeed in the Detour tasks. The reason for such differences needs to be studied Even though it would be interesting to focus on handling differences, i.e., the ponies had been living in an environment rich in natural stimuli, while the Standardbreds had lived in a man-controlled environment since birth. It is also noteworthy that, like donkeys, the Esperia's pony have a reputation for being hard to handle.

Several considerations could arise from our preliminary investigations, and we will have the pleasure to leave them open for discussion.
 
  Address University of Pisa- Dept of Veterinary Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology  
  Corporate Author Baragli, P. 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 IESM 2008  
  Notes Talk 15 min IESM 2008 Approved yes  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4461  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author IESM 2008 Test openurl 
  Title Presentation without Fulltext Type Conference Article
  Year 2008 Publication IESM Conference Volume Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 1 Issue Pages 5-10  
  Keywords  
  Abstract (down) Example of abstract

Example text example text example text example text example text example text example

text example text example text example text example text example text example text example

text example text example text example text example text example text example text.
 
  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 IESM 2008 Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4366  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author de Waal, F.B.M. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Putting the Altruism Back into Altruism: The Evolution of Empathy Type Journal Article
  Year 2008 Publication Annual Review of Psychology Abbreviated Journal Annu Rev Psychol  
  Volume 59 Issue 1 Pages 279-300  
  Keywords  
  Abstract (down) Evolutionary theory postulates that altruistic behavior evolved for the return-benefits it bears the performer. For return-benefits to play a motivational role, however, they need to be experienced by the organism. Motivational analyses should restrict themselves, therefore, to the altruistic impulse and its knowable consequences. Empathy is an ideal candidate mechanism to underlie so-called directed altruism, i.e., altruism in response to anothers's pain, need, or distress. Evidence is accumulating that this mechanism is phylogenetically ancient, probably as old as mammals and birds. Perception of the emotional state of another automatically activates shared representations causing a matching emotional state in the observer. With increasing cognition, state-matching evolved into more complex forms, including concern for the other and perspective-taking. Empathy-induced altruism derives its strength from the emotional stake it offers the self in the other's welfare. The dynamics of the empathy mechanism agree with predictions from kin selection and reciprocal altruism theory.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Annual Reviews Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0066-4308 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes doi: 10.1146/annurev.psych.59.103006.093625 Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5058  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Krapp, A.; Bachmann I.; Troxler, J. url  openurl
  Title Das Liegeverhalten von Pferden in Gruppenhaltung Type Conference Article
  Year 2008 Publication Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 150 Issue 4 Pages 186-187  
  Keywords  
  Abstract (down) Erarbeitung eines Lösungsansatzes zur Optimierung

des eingeschränkten Liegeverhaltens rangniedriger

Pferde in Gruppenhaltung
 
  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 Das Liegeverhalten von Pferden in Gruppenhaltung 2008.pdf Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5306  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Aerts, J.-M.; Gebruers, F.; Van Camp, E.; Berckmans, D. doi  openurl
  Title Controlling horse heart rate as a basis for training improvement Type Journal Article
  Year 2008 Publication Computers and Electronics in Agriculture Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 64 Issue 1 Pages 78-84  
  Keywords Heart rate; Horse; Model predictive control; Transfer function model  
  Abstract (down) Equine training methods, and consequently, performance times have improved little since the last decades. With advances in measuring signals on-line by means of several new technologies and analytical procedures, and processing these signals immediately with strong and compact processors, it may be possible to develop new training methods. In this research, the objective was to explore the possibilities of using modern model-based algorithms to control the heart rate of horses (bpm) on-line by means of the control input running speed (km/h). Forty-five experiments with five horses and four riders were carried out to generate measurements of physiological status during running. The dynamical characteristics of each horse were quantified using linear discrete transfer function models. The dynamic response of heart rate to step changes in running speed were accurately described. In 90% of the cases, a first-order model gave the best fit. For 69% of the models, the r2 was higher than 0.90 and for 34% of the models, the r2 was even higher than 0.95. In a next step, the model-based algorithm was evaluated by controlling cardiac responses of two horses (horses 2 and 4) to a pre-defined trajectory. The model parameters were kept constant. On average, the error between the defined target trajectory in heart rate and the actual controlled heart rate ranged between 0.2 and 1.4 bpm for the whole target heart rate trajectory. During the steady-state part of the trajectory the average error was maximum 1.1 bpm. In the transient from one steady-state heart rate to another level, the error could increase on average up to 5 bpm. In the future, the combination of on-line measured bioresponses with real-time analysis can be used for adjusting the work load of the horse, during training, directly to the immediate needs of horse (welfare) and trainer (performance).  
  Address Division Measure, Model and Manage Bioresponses (M3-BIORES), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium  
  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 4555  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Bates, L.A.; Lee, P.C.; Njiraini, N.; Poole, J.H.; Sayialel, K.; Sayialel, S.; Moss, C.J.; Byrne, R. url  openurl
  Title Do Elephants Show Empathy? Type Journal Article
  Year 2008 Publication Journal of Consciousness Studies Abbreviated Journal J Conscious Stud  
  Volume 15 Issue 10-11 Pages 204-225  
  Keywords  
  Abstract (down) Elephants show a rich social organization and display a number of unusual traits. In this paper, we analyse reports collected over a thirty-five year period, describing behaviour that has the potential to reveal signs of empathic understanding. These include coalition formation, the offering of protection and comfort to others, retrieving and 'babysitting' calves, aiding individuals that would otherwise have difficulty in moving, and removing foreign objects attached to others. These records demonstrate that an elephant is capable of diagnosing animacy and goal directedness, and is able to understand the physical competence, emotional state and intentions of others, when they differ from its own. We argue that an empathic understanding of others is the simplest explanation of these abilities, and discuss reasons why elephants appear to show empathy more than other non-primate species.  
  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 yes  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5057  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Granquist,S.M.; Sigurjónsdóttir, H; Thórhallsdóttir, A.G. pdf  openurl
  Title Social structure and interactions within groups of horses containing a stallion Type Conference Article
  Year 2008 Publication IESM 2008 Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords Social interactions,, Stallions, Hierarchy, Icelandic horses  
  Abstract (down) Earlier research indicates that stallions might either prevent social interactions between mares in their

herds directly or indirectly by their presence (Feist and McCullough, 1976; Sigurjonsdottir et al.,

2003) The impact of stallions on the social interactions between harem members was studied in 6

groups of Icelandic horses in 2004, 2006 and 2007 for altogether 525 hours. Four of the groups were

permanently living together under semi-feral conditions, while two were temporary breeding groups. In

addition, temporary and permanent groups were compared and the effect of the stability of the group

on the social behaviour of horses was investigated .

The results show that stallions seldom intervene directly in social interactions between harem

members. However, the hierarchies were less rigid and fewer friendship bonds were found in the

groups compared to what has been found in groups without stallions in Iceland. These results give

some support to our prediction that the stallion does indirectly suppress social interactions of herd

members.

The stability of the group was found to affect the aggression rate, since a higher aggression rate was

found in the temporary groups compared to the permanent groups. The number of preferred

allogrooming partners of the horses was also affected to some extent, as a significantly lower number

of allogrooming partners was found in the most unstable group compared to all the other groups. The

results have significance for further research in the field of social structure of mammals, and may also

be applied in the management of horses and other domestic animals.
 
  Address  
  Corporate Author Sigurjónsdóttir, H 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 IESM 2008  
  Notes Talk 15 min IESM 2008 Fullpaper Approved yes  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4487  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Verrill, S.; McDonnell, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Equal Outcomes with and without Human-to-Horse Eye Contact When Catching Horses and Ponies in an Open Pasture Type Journal Article
  Year 2008 Publication Journal of Equine Veterinary Science Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 28 Issue 5 Pages 309-312  
  Keywords Horse handling; Horse management; Eye contact; Interspecies interactions; Equine behavior  
  Abstract (down) Each of 104 horses and ponies was approached for catching at pasture by the same human handler in a standard manner, either maintaining human-to-animal eye contact (EC+; n = 51) or avoiding eye contact (EC-; n = 53). A subset of 74 of these subjects were reevaluated 3 weeks later under similar standard conditions except with the eye contact condition opposite to that used in the first round. Nonparametric statistical methods were used to evaluate between subjects (round 1, n = 104) and within subjects (rounds 1 and 2, n = 74) comparisons of successful or unsuccessful catching outcome with EC+ and EC-. Catching outcomes were similar with eye contact condition. Although this study represents a single handler at one study site, results suggest that human-to-horse eye contact may not be an important influence on catching pastured horses. Certainly, further work is needed to better understand the role of eye contact in horse handling.  
  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 0737-0806 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4711  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Udell, M.A.R.; Dorey, N.R.; Wynne, C.D.L. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Wolves outperform dogs in following human social cues Type Journal Article
  Year 2008 Publication Animal Behaviour. Abbreviated Journal Anim. Behav.  
  Volume 76 Issue 6 Pages 1767-1773  
  Keywords Canis familiaris; Canis lupus; dog; dog shelter; domestication; momentary distal point; object choice; social cognition; wolf  
  Abstract (down) Domestic dogs, Canis familiaris, have been shown capable of finding hidden food by following pointing gestures made with different parts of the human body. However, previous studies have reported that hand-reared wolves, C. lupus, fail to locate hidden food in response to similar points in the absence of extensive training. The failure of wolves to perform this task has led to the proposal that the ability to understand others' intentions is a derived character in dogs, not present in the ancestral population (wolves). Here we show that wolves, given the right rearing environment and daily interaction with humans, can use momentary distal human pointing cues to find food without training, whereas dogs tested outdoors and dogs at an animal shelter do not follow the same human points. In line with past studies, pet dogs tested indoors were successful in following these points. We also show that the reported failure of wolves in some past studies may be due to differences in the testing environment. Our findings indicate that domestication is not a prerequisite for human-like social cognition in canids, and show the need for additional research on the role of rearing conditions and environmental factors in the development of higher-level cognitive abilities.  
  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 0003-3472 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4964  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Pongrácz, P.; Vida, V.; Bánhegyi, P.; Miklósi, Á. doi  openurl
  Title How does dominance rank status affect individual and social learning performance in the dog (Canis familiaris)? Type Journal Article
  Year 2008 Publication Animal Cognition Abbreviated Journal Anim. Cogn.  
  Volume 11 Issue Pages 75-82  
  Keywords  
  Abstract (down) Dogs can learn effectively to detour around a V-shaped fence after observing a demonstration from either an unfamiliar human or dog demonstrator. We found earlier that there is substantial individual variation between the dogs' performance, even when using the same experimental conditions. Here, we investigate if the subjects' relative dominance rank with other dogs had an effect on their social learning performance. On the basis of the owners' answers to a questionnaire, subjects from multi-dog homes were sorted into groups of dominant and subordinate dogs. In Experiment 1, dominant and subordinate dogs were tested without demonstration and we did not find any difference between the groups-they had similarly low detour performances on their own. In Experiment 2 and 3, dogs from single dog and multi-dog households were tested in the detour task with demonstration by an unfamiliar dog, or human, respectively. The results showed that social learning performance of the single dogs fell between the dominant and subordinate multi-dogs with both dog and human demonstration. Subordinate dogs displayed significantly better performance after having observed a dog demonstrator in comparison to dominant dogs. In contrast, the performance of dominant and subordinate dogs was almost similar, when they observed a human demonstrator. These results suggest that perceived dominance rank in its own group has a strong effect on social learning in dogs, but this effect seems to depend also on the demonstrator species. This finding reveals an intricate organization of the social structure in multi-dog households, which can contribute to individual differences existing among dogs.  
  Address Department of Ethology, Eotvos Lorand University, Pazmany Peter setany 1/C, 1117, Budapest, Hungary, peter.celeste.pongracz@gmail.com  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1435-9448 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes PMID:17492317 Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2400  
Permanent link to this record
Select All    Deselect All
 |   | 
Details
   print