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Author Burger, D.; Baumgartner, M.; Schauer, S. N.; Wägeli, S.; Aurich, C.; Gerber, V. pdf  openurl
  Title Influence of the recipient mare on character traits of adult offspring in a Warmblood embryo transfer program – preliminary results Type Conference Article
  Year 2008 Publication IESM 2008 Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords  
  Abstract The influence of recipient mares in commercial embryo transfer (ET) programs

on behavior of the ET foals is a matter of great interest and controversial discussion.

Presently, no interdisciplinary ethological and reproductive studies on this topic exist.

However, empirical experience suggests that behavioral traits of the recipient mare do not

influence those of the foal, thus implying a predominantly genetic origin of a horse“s basic

character. Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of recipient

mares on behavioural traits of their ET products.

Materials and Methods: Based on records of the embryo transfer program in Warmblood

horses since 1990 at the Swiss National Stud, questionnaires concerning behavior,

stereotypies and mother-foal-relationship were designed and completed by telephone

interview: 18 scientifically assessed questions provided the basis for a linear description

(Equine Personality Assessment Questionnaire, Lloyd et al., 2007). They were grouped in a)

emotivity, b) social motivation, c) general level of activity, d) stress behavior, e) learning

capacity and f) reactions towards humans. Questionnaires were designed for the owners of the

ET offspring (minimum of three years of age), the sires, donor mares and the recipient mares.

Out of 200 questionnaires, 25 complete ET families have emerged so far and were analysed.

All genetic parents were Warmblood horses, as were 23 of the recipient mares, the other two

were Franches-Montagnes horses.

Results: Comparing the mean values of the four groups (genetic dam and sire, recipient mare

and ET product), significant differences were found for the parameters emotivity (sires lower,

p<0.001), learning behaviour (recipient mares lower, p<0.05) and activity (recipient mares

lower, p<0.05). With only one exception, the multiple variable regression analysis found no

significant influence of the recipient mare on the ET product. The only significant effect

observed, was that of the social motivation of the recipient mare on the learning capacity of

the ET offspring (r2= -0.421, p<0.05). In contrast, numerous significant effects of behavioural

traits of the genetic dams and sires on their ET offspring (10 and 8, respectively) were

observed.

Conclusions: These preliminary results confirm field observations that the influence of the

recipient mare does not play an important role in character development of the ET offspring.

However, the investigated parameters indicate that the behavioural traits of the genetic parents

appear to have a strong influence on the offspring”s behaviour.. This study model promises

new achievements in the evaluation of genetic and environmental effects on the behavior of a

horse.

References

Lloyd, AS, Martin, JE, Bornett-Gauci, HLI, Wilkinson, RG (2007). Evaluation of a novel

method of horse personality asses
 
  Address (up)  
  Corporate Author Baumgartner, M. 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 4485  
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 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 (up)  
  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 Kaczensky, P.; Ganbaatar, O.; von Wehrden,H.; Walzer, C. pdf  openurl
  Title Przewalski`s horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) and Asiatic wild asses (Equus hemionus): Similar Species, Same Habitat – Same Use? Type Conference Article
  Year 2008 Publication IESM 2008 Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords  
  Abstract Historic overlap zones of wild equids were small in Africa but extensive for Przewalski`s horses and Asiatic wild asses in Asia. Currently the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area in SW Mongolia is the only place where sympatric, free-ranging populations of these equids occur. This provides an unique opportunity to examine the co-existence of these little studied species and test the hypothesis that Przewalski`s horses are primarily adapted to mesic steppe habitats, whereas Asiatic wild asses are adapted to arid desert steppes and semi-deserts.

We monitored 9 Przewalski`s horses and 7 wild asses with satellite telemetry and superimposed the data on a habitat map derived from remote sensing (LANDSAT TM & ETM+-data) and ground sample plots. We tested for habitat preferences comparing use and availability with a logistic regression mixed model approach. Individuals were treated as random factors. Factor variables were tested for significant differences in subsequent Tukey post-hoc tests. Przewalski`s horses had non-exclusive home ranges of 152-826 km² and heavily selected for the most productive riparian plant communities. Asiatic wild asses also had non-exclusive home ranges, but with 4,449-6,835 km² they were 10 times larger than those of Przewalski`s horses. Asiatic wild asses seem to use plant communities more or less relative to their availability. Our results provide evidence for two parallel resource selection strategies. Our findings indicate that the Gobi areas provide an edge, rather than an optimal habitat for Przewalski`s horses. This leaves only small and isolated pockets of suitable habitat for future re-introductions. Asiatic wild asses, on the other hand, need access to large tracts of land to cope with the unpredictable resource distribution of the Gobi. Thus, Asiatic wild ass conservation requires a large scale approach.
 
  Address (up)  
  Corporate Author Kaczensky, 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 4490  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Flauger, B.; Krueger, K. pdf  openurl
  Title Ecology and evolution of equine cognitive abilities Type Conference Article
  Year 2008 Publication IESM 2008 Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords  
  Abstract The cognitive abilities of social ungulates, in particular horses, have widely been neglected. Preliminary results suggest that horses are capable of social cognition which they acquire through social learning. They gain information from the observation of the interaction of a conspecific and a human experimenter, and adjust their own behaviour towards the experimenter with respect to the observed horse"s reaction and relative dominance status (Krueger and Heinze, 2007). Horses are a highly social species that still exists in different evolutionary stages: domestic horses, feral horses and wild horses (Przewalski horses). Additionally, domestic and wild horses differ in their individual social behaviour. For example, in social interactions Przewalski horses appear to act significantly more aggressively than domestic horses. Therefore studies on horses are particularly suitable to investigate whether convergent social evolution favours convergent cognitive evolution. By a comparative study concerning their reasoning abilities in a specific situation, we will attempt to determine the influence of domestication and feralisation on the evolution of social cognition and to investigate possible differences in their abilities to cope with stressful situations. We started to observe the behaviour of domestic and wild horses, in particular during the integration into new social groups, especially in relation with their knowledge of the social structure of new groups and their own relative social status. Selected agonistic interactions will be measured and statistically evaluated. Additionally, the stress level of the horses will be determined by an analysis of stress hormone levels, particularly cortisol metabolites, in plasma, saliva and faeces.  
  Address (up)  
  Corporate Author Flauger, B. 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 Poster IESM 2008 Approved yes  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4500  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Ahmadinejad, M. pdf  openurl
  Title Influence of Sex and Age on Color discrimination in caspian Pony Type Conference Article
  Year 2008 Publication IESM 2008 Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords  
  Abstract Although an early and influential review led to the often-cited conclusion that color discrimination is rare among mammals, more recent findings suggest that it is actually widespread. According to jacobes, all non-nocturnal mammalian species that have adequately exmined show some color vision capacity. Data on the presence and characteristics and the influence of sex and age on color vision in the horse, remain spares and non in Caspian pony. Eight Caspian ponies were presented with a series of two-choice color vs. grey discrimination problems. One mare pony was eliminated due to traumatic injury to her eye. Experiments were performed in a box of 3 * 3 meter containing a wall with two translucent panels that were illuminated from behind by light projected through color or grey filters to provide the discriminative stimuli. Ponies were first adopted to the stall (box) with two panels in it and then learned to push one of the panels in order to receive the food rewards behind positive stimuli in an achromatic light-dark discrimination task. The ponies were then tested on their abilities to discriminate between grey and four individual colors; red; 617nm, yellow; 581nm, green; 538nm and blue 470 nm. The answer to the question \“do the ponies see color\” was yes but sex and age had no influence on the color discrimination of the ponies .  
  Address (up)  
  Corporate Author Ahmadinejad, M. 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 4501  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Proops, L.; McComb, K.; Reby, D. pdf  openurl
  Title Horse-human interactions: Attention attribution and the use of human cues by domestic horses (Equus caballus). Type Conference Article
  Year 2008 Publication IESM 2008 Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords social cognition; animal-human interaction; horses; attention  
  Abstract Recent research has shown that domestic dogs are particularly good at reading human attentional cues, often outperforming chimpanzees and hand reared wolves [1, 2]. It has been suggested that the close evolutionary relationship between humans and dogs has led to the development of this ability, however very few other species have been studied [3]. We tested the ability of 24 domestic horses to discriminate between an attentive and inattentive person when choosing whom to approach for food. While the attentive person faced forwards, the inattentive person either stood with their body turned 180° away from the subject (body orientation condition), stood with their body facing forwards but their head facing away (head orientation condition) or stood facing forwards but with their eyes closed (eyes closed condition). A fourth, mixed condition was included where the attentive person stood with their body facing away from the subjects but their head turned towards the subject while the inattentive person stood with their body facing the subject but their head turned away. Horses chose the attentive person significantly more often using the body cue (n = 24, k = 19, p = 0.003), the head cue (n = 24, k = 18, p = 0.011), and the eye cue (n = 24, k = 19, p = 0.003) but not the mixed cue (n = 24, k = 13, p = 0.42). In an additional pilot study, horses were tested in an object choice task. A human experimenter cued one of two buckets by either tapping the bucket (tap condition), orienting their body towards the bucket and pointing (body and point condition), pointing while facing forwards (point condition) or orienting their body towards the bucket (body condition). If the subjects chose the correct bucket they were rewarded. Subjects were able to use the tap cue (n = 31, k = 21, p = 0.035), body + point cue (n= 31, k = 21, p = 0.035) and the point cue (n = 30, k = 21, p = 0.021) but not the body cue (n = 31, k = 11, p = 0.076). These results taken together suggest that domestic horses are also very sensitive to human attentional cues, including gaze.

Keywords:

social cognition, animal-human interaction, horses, attention attribution, domestication

1. Hare, B., Brown, M., Williamson, C., and Tomasello, M. (2002). The domestication of social cognition in dogs. Science 298, 1634-1636.

2. Gacsi, M., Miklosi, A., Varga, O., Topal, J., and Csanyi, V. (2004). Are readers of our face readers of our minds` Dogs (Canis familiaris) show situation-dependent recognition of human’s attention. Animal Cognition 7, 144-153.

3. Hare, B., and Tomasello, M. (2005). Human-like social skills in dogs? Trends Cogn. Sci. 9, 439-444.
 
  Address (up)  
  Corporate Author Proops, L. 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 Poster IESM 2008 Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4502  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Schloegl, C.; Kotrschal, K.; Bugnyar, T. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Modifying the object-choice task: Is the way you look important for ravens? Type Journal Article
  Year 2008 Publication Behavioural Processes Abbreviated Journal Behav. Process.  
  Volume 77 Issue 1 Pages 61-65  
  Keywords Gaze; Modification; Object-choice task; Raven  
  Abstract Most animals seem to have difficulties in using gaze cues to find hidden food in object-choice tasks. For instance, chimpanzees usually fail in these tests, even though they are capable of following other's gaze geometrically behind barriers. Similar to chimpanzees, common ravens are skilled in tracking other's gaze but fail in object-choice tasks. We here explored whether procedural modifications, which had been used successfully in chimpanzees, would also yield positive results in ravens. In our modifications (a) the experimenter approached the cup while gazing at it, (b) the gaze cue was accompanied by a sound and (c) the experimenter could actually see the food while giving the gaze cue. Two out of seven birds performed above chance level in some of these conditions. However, we ascribe this improvement to the individuals' learning ability rather than to an understanding of the communicative nature of the task. This interpretation is further supported by results of a follow-up experiment suggesting that ravens may not rely on conspecifics' gaze cues for finding food caches in a natural foraging context. In sum, our results suggest that ravens may not transfer their gaze follow abilities to foraging situations involving hidden food.  
  Address (up)  
  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 4505  
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Author Krueger, K. (ed) pdf  isbn
openurl 
  Title Proceedings of the International Equine Science Meeting 2008 Type Conference Volume
  Year 2008 Publication IESM 2008 Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords Equine Ecology; Equine Sociality; Equine Learning; Equine Cognition; Equine Welfare  
  Abstract Target group: Biologists, Psychologists, Veterinarians and Professionals

Meeting target: Because the last international meeting on Equine Science took place a couple years ago, there is an urgent need for equine scientists to exchange scientific knowledge, coordinate research provide knowledge for practical application, and discus research results among themselves and with professionals who work with horses. Additionally, dialog concerning the coordination of the study “Equitation Science” in Europe is urgently needed. Coordination and cooperation shall arise from the meeting, enrich the research, and advance the application of scientific knowledge for the horses` welfare.
 
  Address (up)  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Xenophon Verlag Place of Publication Wald Editor Krueger, K.  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN 978-3-9808134-0-2 Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4508  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Feh, C.; Munkhtuya, B. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Male infanticide and paternity analyses in a socially natural herd of Przewalski`s horses: Sexual selection? Type Journal Article
  Year 2008 Publication Behavioural Processes Abbreviated Journal Behav. Process.  
  Volume 78 Issue 3 Pages 335-339  
  Keywords DNA paternity analysis; Human disturbance; Male infanticide; Przewalski's horse (Equus ferus przewalskii); Sexual selection  
  Abstract The sexual selection hypothesis explains infanticide by males in many mammals. In our 11-year study, we investigated this hypothesis in a herd of Przewalski's horses where we had witnessed infanticidal attacks. Infanticide was highly conditional and not simply linked to takeovers. Attacks occurred in only five of 39 cases following a takeover, and DNA paternity revealed that, although infanticidal stallions were not the genetic fathers in four cases out of five, stallions present at birth did not significantly attempt to kill unrelated foals. Infanticide did not reduce birth intervals; only in one case out of five was the infanticidal stallion, the father of the next foal; mothers whose foals were attacked subsequently avoided associating with infanticidal stallions. Therefore, evidence for the sexual selection hypothesis was weak. The “human disturbance” hypothesis received some support, as only zoo bred stallions which grew up in unnatural social groups attacked foals of mares which were pregnant during takeovers.  
  Address (up)  
  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 4632  
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Author Corballis, M.C. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Of mice and men – and lopsided birds Type Journal Article
  Year 2008 Publication Cortex Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 44 Issue 1 Pages 3-7  
  Keywords Cerebral asymmetry; Handedness; Evolution; Laterality  
  Abstract The article by Zucca and Sovrano (2008, this issue) represents part of a new wave of studies of lateralization in nonhuman species. This work is often in conflict with earlier studies of human cerebral asymmetry and handedness, and the associated claim that these asymmetries are uniquely human, and perhaps even a result of the “speciation event” that led to modern humans. It is now apparent that there are close parallels between human and nonhuman asymmetries, suggesting that they have ancient roots. I argue that asymmetries must be seen in the context of a bilaterally symmetrical body plan, and that there is a balance to be struck between the adaptive advantages of symmetry and asymmetry. In human evolution, systematic asymmetries were incorporated into activities that probably are unique to our species, but the precursors of these asymmetries are increasingly evident in other species, including frogs, fish, birds, and mammals – especially primates.  
  Address (up)  
  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 4634  
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