|
|
Davis, H., & Balfour, D. (Eds.). (1992). The Inevitable Bond: Examining Scientist-Animal Interactions. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Cambridge University Press.
Abstract: Book Description
Although animals are widely employed as research subjects, it is only recently that we have acknowledged the bond that frequently, perhaps inevitably, develops between subject and researcher. Whatever the qualities of this relationship, an increasing body of evidence suggests that it may result in profound behavioural and physiological changes in the animal subject. Such effects are apparent in behavioural studies conducted in both laboratory and field settings. They also appear in physiological studies ranging from the biomedical (e.g. heart rate, blood pressure, immunological changes) to animal science (e.g. growth, reproduction). Such effects are not confined to obvious cases involving primates and dogs, but appear in unexpected animals like chickens, reptiles and even octopuses. Despite the fact that most researchers are trained to minimise or avoid such interactions, they continue to occur. This book, the first of its kind to address this issue systematically, describes many examples of this “inevitable bond” between scientist and animal. This discussion will allow researchers to anticipate these potentially confounding effects and take advantage of such relationships in designing more effective and humane environments for animal subjects.
|
|
|
|
Sigurjónsdóttir, H., & Gunnarsson, V. Controlled Study of Early Handling and Training of Icelandic Foals.
Abstract: Introduction
Many scientists agree that information on the learning abilities of horses should be used in developing training methods (Fiske and Potter, 1979; Mader and Price, 1980; McCall, 1990) but nevertheless research where such knowledge is put to the test is limited (Flannery, 1997). Foals that are handled continuously between 4 and 22 months of age were quicker learners and were easier to train than those that got less handling (Fiske and Potter, 1979). The handling involved being lead, brushed, and acclimated to restraint. In some studies more relaxed foals learned more and were easier to train later on than stressed foals (Fiske and Potter, 1979; Heird et al, 1986) while no such correlation was found in another study (Mader and Price 1980). It is commonly believed, and has been established with tests, that younger horses are quicker-learners than mature (Mader and Price, 1980; Houpt, 1982), but the question remains to be answered if a certain age is better than another and if so, if the optimum time differs between breeds.
The idea of imprint training (Miller, 2000) is controversial but seems to be popular in the USA. Miller found that foals that had been treated by veterinarians at birth were easier to handle later on. He associated this with what Konrad Lorenz called imprint learning (1937), which involved irreversible learning taking place during a sensitive period early in life. Miller claims that the idea has been tested scientifically but no such papers are covered by Wed of Science. To our knowledge one systematic research has been carried out whose results will be published this year (Jennifer Williams, personal communication). Miller (2000) claims that it is very important to stroke and handle the foals quickly after birth (hence the reference to the imprinting concept) and desensitize them to touch and other interventions. A study by Mal et al (1994) did not support the claim that very young foals are more sensitive to treatment than older foals. It is possible that what we are witnessing when the foals seem relaxed after stroking is not “imprinting” but “learned helplessness”.
In Iceland where mares give birth out in the field within the herd (usually herds of mares, sub-adults and sometimes geldings) it is customary not to disturb the mare and foal for the first hours of the foal's life. That fact and the custom in many places to let the foals stay with their dams within large groups in the wilderness from 1-2 months of age till autumn, would mean that continuous handling would not have a practical value for most Icelandic horse owners. We wanted to test the idea that early handling and training of foals should calm the foals considerably and teach them valuable lessons, which would make training later on easier.
|
|
|
|
Waring, G. H. (Ed.). (1983). Horse Behavior: The Behavioral Traits and Adaptations of Domestic and Wild Horses, Including Ponies. Park Ridge: Noyes Publications.
Abstract: ReviewsSynopsisThe second edition of this informative book remains the most comprehensive and current overview of the behavioral traits and adaptations of horses. The book integrates findings from hundreds of international researchers to provide the reader with a factual synthesis of the behaviour of domestic and feral horses. Building on the strengths of the first edition, the author has thoroughly updated coverage of horse ancestry, development, perception, learning, play, social behavioral manipulation, maintenance activities, and sexual behaviour. Throughout these and other chapters, more emphasis has been given to animal husbandry and management. Additionally, the second edition includes an all-new section on ecological influences on activity patterns, habitat utilization, social behaviour and reproduction. An expanded section on applied ethnology provides behavioral considerations or management and insight regarding the behavioral indicators of horse health and well being. This is followed with an updated appendix listing behavioral symptoms and possible causes. The text contains numerous tables and nearly 100 illustrations and photos. Interesting Facts: Rich with international data, incorporated into text, tables, and figures Two new chapters on ecological influences dealing with interactions between environment feeding, ranging, shelter seeking, reproductive and social behavior, among other topics New chapter on behavioral considerations in horse management, plus updated material on health and well being, surveys atypical symptoms ranging from posture to social behaviour Update appendix provides an extensive listing of behavioral symptoms, with identifications of possible associated problems.
|
|
|
|
Waring, G. H. (2003). Horse behavior. Norwich, N.Y.: Noyes Publishing.
Abstract: Review
The coverage in the book is incredibly broad, thorough and detailed. The drawings throughout are marvelous and do a wonderful job of complementing the text. The extensive bibliography should be especially useful to biologists. “Cheryl Asa, Director of Research, St. Louis Zoo”
For those highly interested in the subject, it is unquestionably worth upgrading rrom the first edition. Written by an internationally know and respected ethologist, Horse Behavior is a sound scientific review of equine behavior.
“Nancy Kate Diehl, ”Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association," Vol. 223, No. 12, December 15, 2003
One of the people out there studying horses is Dr. Waring, a professor at Southern Illinois University. He uses big words such as polyphasic, but defines them, “The daily sleep cycle of horses is polyphasic, that is, with more than one period of sleep occurring per 24-hour period.” He gives the academically correct citations of studies, yet describes the results in language the rest of us can understand. I dare any horseperson of any experience level to read it and not learn something.
“Katherine Walcott, Eventing USA, Issue Two, 2003”
Horse Behavior, 2nd edition, is a very well researched book that addresses a through review of normal horse behavior. Dr. Waring brings together references from a wide variety of disciplines, often from very difficult to get sources, and integrates them with his own research into a comprehensive picture of the horse. Each chapter is well orgainzed in its contents, resulting in a book that will be an excellent reference. This is a “must have” for any serious student of horse behavior and for those who just enjoy the animal. “Bonnie V. Beaver, BS, DVM, MS, DACVB, Texas A&M University”
Book Description
The second edition of this important reference provides important updates, especially in the areas of activity patterns, social behavior, reproduction, animal husbandry, and management. This easy-to-read text integrates findings from hundreds of international researchers and includes an updated appendix listing behavioral symptoms and possible causes. Over 100 illustrations and photos provide excellent visual cues for those who work with horses every day.
|
|
|
|
Kornblith, H. (2002). Knowledge and its Place in Nature. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Abstract: Argues that conceptual analysis should be rejected in favour of a more naturalistic approach to epistemology. There is a robust natural phenomenon of knowledge; knowledge is a natural kind. An examination of the cognitive ethology literature reveals a category of knowledge that does both causal and explanatory work. It is argued that knowledge in this very sense is what philosophers have been talking about all along. Rival accounts of knowledge that are more demanding—requiring either that certain social conditions be met or that an agent engage in some sort of reflection—are discussed in detail, and it is argued that they are inadequate to the phenomenon. In addition, it is argued that the account of knowledge that emerges from the cognitive ethology literature can provide an explanation of the normative force of epistemic claims.
|
|
|
|
Karstens, H. (1980). Das Military Pferd.
|
|
|
|
Müller-Wohlfahrt, H. W., Kübler, U., & Müller- Wohlfahrt, H. W. (1998). Hundert Prozent fit und gesund. Das Geheimnis des gesunden Menschen. München: Heyne.
|
|
|
|
Stashak, T. S., & Wissdorf, H. (2007). Adams' Lahmheit bei Pferden. Hannover: Schaper M. & H.
|
|
|
|
Clutton-Brock, T. H. (1974). Primate social organisation and ecology. Nature, 250(5467), 539–542.
Abstract: Attempts to relate interspecific differences in social organisation among primates to gross differences in habitat or diet type have been largely unsuccessful. This is probably partly because distantly related species have adapted to similar ecological situations in different ways and partly because much finer ecological differences are important.
|
|
|
|
Ohtsuki, H., Iwasa, Y., & Nowak, M. A. (2009). Indirect reciprocity provides only a narrow margin of efficiency for costly punishment. Nature, 457(7225), 79–82.
Abstract: Indirect reciprocity1, 2, 3, 4, 5 is a key mechanism for the evolution of human cooperation. Our behaviour towards other people depends not only on what they have done to us but also on what they have done to others. Indirect reciprocity works through reputation5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. The standard model of indirect reciprocity offers a binary choice: people can either cooperate or defect. Cooperation implies a cost for the donor and a benefit for the recipient. Defection has no cost and yields no benefit. Currently there is considerable interest in studying the effect of costly (or altruistic) punishment on human behaviour18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. Punishment implies a cost for the punished person. Costly punishment means that the punisher also pays a cost. It has been suggested that costly punishment between individuals can promote cooperation. Here we study the role of costly punishment in an explicit model of indirect reciprocity. We analyse all social norms, which depend on the action of the donor and the reputation of the recipient. We allow errors in assigning reputation and study gossip as a mechanism for establishing coherence. We characterize all strategies that allow the evolutionary stability of cooperation. Some of those strategies use costly punishment; others do not. We find that punishment strategies typically reduce the average payoff of the population. Consequently, there is only a small parameter region where costly punishment leads to an efficient equilibrium. In most cases the population does better by not using costly punishment. The efficient strategy for indirect reciprocity is to withhold help for defectors rather than punishing them.
|
|
