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Laterality2007; 12(5); 464-474; doi: 10.1080/13576500701495307

Asymmetry of flight and escape turning responses in horses.

Abstract: We investigated whether horses display greater reactivity to a novel stimulus presented in the left compared to the right monocular visual field, and whether a population bias exists for escape turning when the same stimulus was presented binocularly. Domestic horses (N=30) were tested on three occasions by a person opening an umbrella five metres away and then approaching. The distance each horse moved away before stopping was measured. Distance was greatest for approach on the left side, indicating right hemisphere control of flight behaviour, and thus followed the same pattern found previously in other species. When order of monocular presentation was considered, an asymmetry was detected. Horses tested initially on the left side exhibited greater reactivity for left approach, whereas horses tested on the right side first displayed no side difference in reactivity. Perhaps left hemisphere inhibition of flight response allowed horses to learn that the stimulus posed no threat and this information was transferred to the right hemisphere. No population bias existed for the direction of escape turning, but horses that turned to the right when approached from the front were found to exhibit longer flight distances than those that turned to the left.
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Publication Date: 2007-08-23 PubMed ID: 17712716DOI: 10.1080/13576500701495307Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study examines whether horses are more reactive to new stimuli presented in the left compared to the right visual field, and if there is a general bias in escape turning response when the stimuli is presented in both visual fields. The researchers discovered that horses tend to react more and move farther away when a novel object, in this case a person opening an umbrella, approached from the left side. This behavior, controlled by the right hemisphere of the brain, is consistent with patterns found in other species.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers selected 30 domestic horses for the test.
  • Each horse was tested on three occasions by a person opening an umbrella five meters away and then approaching.
  • The researchers measured the distance each horse moved away before stopping.

Key Findings

  • Horses generally moved farther away when the person approached from the left side, indicating right hemisphere control of flight behavior.
  • Considering the order of side presentation, the horses that were initially tested from the left side exhibited greater reactivity for the left approach.
  • However, horses initially tested on the right side did not show any difference in reactivity, regardless of the side of approach.
  • This indicates that the left hemisphere might have been inhibiting the flight response after determining that the stimulus posed no threat.
  • It is suggested that this information might have been transferred to the right hemisphere of the brain over time.

Discussion

  • No general bias was detected for the direction of escape turning. This refutes the assumption that horses, as a population, have a preferred side to turn during their flight response.
  • Interestingly, horses that turned to the right when approached from the front exhibited longer flight distances compared to those that turned to the left.
  • This finding could suggest a presence of individual lateralization amongst horses in aspects of flight response in the face of a potential threat.

Cite This Article

APA
Austin NP, Rogers LJ. (2007). Asymmetry of flight and escape turning responses in horses. Laterality, 12(5), 464-474. https://doi.org/10.1080/13576500701495307

Publication

Laterality
ISSN: 1357-650X
NlmUniqueID: 9609064
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 5
Pages: 464-474

Researcher Affiliations

Austin, N P
  • University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.
Rogers, L J

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Arousal
    • Dominance, Cerebral
    • Escape Reaction
    • Female
    • Habituation, Psychophysiologic
    • Horses
    • Male
    • Orientation
    • Visual Fields

    Citations

    This article has been cited 34 times.
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