Dorey, N. R., Conover, A. M., & Udell, M. A. R. (2014). Interspecific communication from people to horses (Equus ferus caballus) is influenced by different horsemanship training styles. J. Comp. Psychol., 128(4), 337–342.
Abstract: The ability of many domesticated animals to follow human pointing gestures to locate hidden food has led to scientific debate on the relative importance of domestication and individual experience on the origins and development of this capacity. To further explore this question, we examined the influence of different prior training histories/methods on the ability of horses (Equus ferus caballus) to follow a momentary distal point. Ten horses previously trained using one of two methods (Parelli™ natural horsemanship or traditional horse training) were tested using a standard object choice task. The results show that neither group of horses was initially able to follow the momentary distal point. However, after more experience with the point, horses previously trained using the Parelli natural horsemanship method learned to follow momentary distal points significantly faster than those previously trained with traditional methods. The poor initial performance of horses on distal pointing tasks, coupled with the finding that prior training history and experimental experience can lead to success on this task, fails to support the predictions of the domestication hypothesis and instead lends support to the two-stage hypothesis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
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Gardner, P. (1937). Responses of horses to the same signal in different positions. J. Comp. Physiol, 23(2), 305–332.
Abstract: The horses were required to differentiate a box containing a black cloth from two associated boxes with no cloth. The correct box contained food. It differed in actual position with respect to the other boxes from trial to trial. After learning had occurred, the position of the cloth signal was changed. The changed positions produced many errors, the number of errors depending upon whether the cloth was higher or lower than the opening of the food box. Retests showed original learning to be relatively stable and unaffected. Factors influencing accuracy of discrimination were: contacts with cloth, position of box with respect to entrance, age of the horse (the younger made fewer errors), and breed and type of horse. There is evidence of some retention after three years. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
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