a novel method to study horse preferences for blanketing
Transcription
a novel method to study horse preferences for blanketing
10th International Equitation Science Conference Equine Stress, Learning and Training ISES – Denmark 2014 August 7-9 http://www.equitationscience.com/press-releases Communication through symbol use: a novel method to study horse preferences for blanketing “Horses can learn to understand the meaning of abstract symbols and to use these to communicate with humans” stated researcher Cecilie Mejdell at the recent 10th International Equitation Science Conference. The study, which aimed to teach horses to use symbols to express their preferences regarding blanketing/rugging, was conducted by Mejdell and research colleagues Turid Buvik, Grete Jørgensen and Knut Bøe from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway. Using reward based operant behaviour conditioning; professional animal trainers employed a ten step training program to teach 23 horses (13 cold-bloods and 10 warmbloods of various breeds, aged 3-16 years), to approach and touch a board with their muzzle. The training involved association learning between visual symbols on boards and meaning. One visual symbol meant “blanket on”, another meant “blanket off”, and a third symbol meant “no change”. A horse was deemed to have learnt the meaning of different symbols when they expressed meaningful symbol choices when tested 14 times in a row under pre-determined hot or cold environmental conditions. Speed of learning varied between horses. All horses entered the free choice phase between days 11-13 (median 11), where responses given by horses were not influenced or corrected by the trainers and the horse’s response (decision regarding blanketing/rugging) was rewarded. From this it was assumed that the horses were expected to understand that their free choice, as expressed by touching a specific symbol, determines the nature of blanketing (i.e. blanket/rug put on, taken off or no change made) and even to understand the consequence in terms of thermal comfort for the next hours. The horses’ preferences were tested under differing weather conditions including sunshine, wind, rain/snow and temperatures ranging from -15 to +20 °C. Horses were left outdoors for two hours before given the choice to change, or not change, blanket status. Results revealed that the choices made by the horses were individually consistent and influenced by weather conditions. In general, cold-blood horses preferred to stay without a blanket more often compared to warm-bloods. This study suggests that communication by the use of visual symbols, as has been demonstrated in other species, is a promising tool for the study of preferences in horses. - END The International Society for Equitation Science conference offers an outstanding international platform for scientists and professional practitioners to present and discuss research related to the field of equitation science. For more information about the conference, venue and programme: www.ISES2014.com The International Society for Equitation Science (ISES) is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to facilitate research into the training of horses to enhance horse welfare and improve the horse-rider relationship. For more information regarding the International Society for Equitation Science contact: ISES President: [email protected] ISES Media Officer: [email protected] Website: http://www.equitationscience.com Twitter: Equitation Science @equitationscien - https://twitter.com/equitationscien Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EquitationScience