Influence of emotional balance during a learning and recall test in horses (Equus caballus)

Mengoli, Manuel; Pageat, Patrick; Lafont-Lecuelle, Céline; Monneret, Philippe; Giacalone, Aline; Sighieri, Claudio; Cozzi, Alessandro

doi:10.1016/j.beproc.2014.05.004

Cited by 19 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…This makes sense in light of a recent study that showed that when horses were under stressful conditions (such as a novel environment) they completed less training stages when taught to step sideways than horses in a home environment . Other research has showed similar findings, indicating that a horse's emotional state can influence how well the animal learns, at least in the context of discriminative tasks and reversals and a horse's memory in a delayed-response task (Starling et al, 2013;Valenchon et al, 2013;Mengoli et al, 2014). Horses may have individual preferences for training techniques (Visser et al, 2003).…”

Section: The Relationship Between Horse Cognition Training and Welfarementioning

confidence: 57%

Cognition and learning in horses (Equus caballus): What we know and why we should ask more

Brubaker

Udell

2016

Behavioural Processes

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Section: The Relationship Between Horse Cognition Training and Welfarementioning

confidence: 57%

Cognition and learning in horses (Equus caballus): What we know and why we should ask more

Brubaker

Udell

2016

Behavioural Processes

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“…However, it is noteworthy that on the whole population descriptive data, the DAP group displayed the lowest standard deviations/variability, suggesting a greater homogeneity in OCT performance for this group. This could be related to the general ability of appeasing pheromones in modulating/smoothing the cognitive-emotional responses among individuals, particularly in the context of cognitive tasks, as already described in horses treated with EAP (Equine Appeasing Pheromone, the homologous specific appeasing pheromone) by Mengoli et al (2014). It could be possible that the “best choosers” dogs were already in this kind of balanced cognitive-emotional state, hence making us unable to conclude about DAP effects in this population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Working Smarter Not Harder: Oxytocin Increases Domestic Dogs’ (Canis familiaris) Accuracy, but Not Attempts, on an Object Choice Task

et al. 2019

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The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) has been shown to enhance dogs’ ability to perform an object choice task (OCT) involving the use of human pointing cues, when delivered intranasally. This study aimed at further investigating whether OT enhances task performance by increasing choices made, or by increasing correctness of choices made, and to compare these treatment effects to dog appeasing pheromone (DAP), known to balance emotional activation in dogs. Hence, we compared OCT performance between three groups of dogs: (i) dogs administered OT and a sham collar, (ii) dogs administered a saline placebo and a DAP collar, and (iii) control dogs administered a saline placebo and a sham collar. All three groups consisted of a combination of male and female pet dogs and assistance-dogs-in-training currently living with a volunteer carer. The study also evaluated the effect of intranasal OT and/or DAP on plasma levels of OT, and prolactin; which has previously been linked with anxiety in dogs. The dogs’ emotional state was measured using the Emotional Disorders Evaluation in Dogs (EDED) scale. The owners’/carers’ degree of anxious- and avoidant-style attachment to their dogs was accessed using the Pet Attachment Questionnaire (PAQ). Interesting descriptive data appeared for both treatment groups. Particularly, in OT group, we obtained significant results demonstrating that intranasal OT enhances OCT performance in dogs compared to control, by increasing the percentage of correct choices, but not the number of choices, made. Results also support that the mode of action of intranasal OT is via direct access to the brain and not via the blood, since no elevation of plasma OT (or prolactin) levels were observed after intranasal administration in this study. Similarly, DAP application did not significantly alter OT or prolactin peripheral concentrations. Several differences were observed between fostered and pet dogs, namely: fostered dogs demonstrated higher levels of serum prolactin, made more choices on the OCT compared to pet dogs but were not more likely to be correct, and were fostered by carers with higher avoidant attachment scores than pet dog owners. These findings implicate consideration of potential carer and training consequences for assistance dogs.

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“…The concept of animal welfare includes both physical and mental elements, suggesting that emotions are an important component of welfare [1,2]. Animal emotions have been widely studied and many studies have investigated the influence of emotions on animal welfare [3,4,5]. Stress has often been associated with negative emotions [6], and the latter has been associated with poor animal welfare [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Learning capacities are influenced by emotions [3], which means that horses trained to perform different equine activities may use different behavioral and physiological strategies to adapt to the training conditions in which they are involved. These differences could have consequences in the development of the animals’ behavioral traits and emotional management [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other studies have investigated the ANS through the assessment of heart rate variability (HRV), which is a noninvasive technique for studying the ANS responses of horses [27]. Additionally, HRV analysis in horses has often been used to study emotional responses to cognitive [3] and temperament tests [11], and as an indicator for equine welfare assessments [27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Equine Activities Influence Horses’ Responses to Different Stimuli: Could This Have an Impact on Equine Welfare?

Mendonça

Bienboire-Frosini

Kowalczyk

et al. 2019

Animals

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The learning and cognitive challenges that horses may face differ according to the activities in which they are involved. The aim of this investigation was to study the influence of equine activities on the behavioral responses and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity of adult horses. Forty-one horses were divided into four groups: dressage (9), jumping (10), eventing (13) and equine-assisted activity/therapy (9). A test was created to compare the horses’ behavioral and physiological responses to different stimuli. The goal was always to obtain a treat. To study the ANS activity, heart rate variability was assessed using the standard deviation of the R-R intervals (SDNN), square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between successive interbeat-intervals (RMSSD) and low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF). To assess behavioral responses, video analysis was performed considering the following behaviors: exploration, interactions with another horse, and latency to approach. Significant differences in SDNN (DF = 3; F = 3.36; p = 0.0202), RMSSD (DF = 3; F = 4.09; p = 0.0078), LF/HF (DF = 3; F = 4.79; p = 0.0031), exploration (DF = 3; F = 5.79; p = 0.0013) and latency to approach (DF = 3; F = 8.97; p < 0.0001) were found among horses from different equine activities. The activity that adult horses practice appears to influence behavioral and physiological responses to different stimuli, thus impacting equine welfare.

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Influence of emotional balance during a learning and recall test in horses (Equus caballus)

Cited by 19 publications

References 64 publications

Cognition and learning in horses (Equus caballus): What we know and why we should ask more

Cognition and learning in horses (Equus caballus): What we know and why we should ask more

Working Smarter Not Harder: Oxytocin Increases Domestic Dogs’ (Canis familiaris) Accuracy, but Not Attempts, on an Object Choice Task

Equine Activities Influence Horses’ Responses to Different Stimuli: Could This Have an Impact on Equine Welfare?

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