Analyze Diet
Veterinary sciences2023; 10(2); 130; doi: 10.3390/vetsci10020130

Horses’ Tactile Reactivity Differs According to the Type of Work: The Example of Equine-Assisted Intervention.

Abstract: Tactile perception in humans varies between individuals and could depend on extrinsic factors such as working activity. In animals, there is no study relating the influence of animals' work and their tactile reactivity . We investigated horses' tactile reactivity using von Frey filament in different body areas and compared horses working only in equine-assisted interventions (EAI), in riding school (RS) lessons, and in both activities (EAI-RS). We further compared tactile actions by people with or without mental and/or developmental disorders during brushing sessions. The results indicated that EAI horses showed higher tactile reactivity compared to EAI-RS and RS horses, both in terms of number of reactions overall, and especially when the test involved thin filaments. All horses showed high tactile reactivity when tested on the stifle, and this was particularly true for EAI horses. These differences could be related to humans' actions, as participants diagnosed with disorders brushed more the hindquarters and showed more fragmented actions. This study opens new lines of thought on the influence of EAI working activity on horses' tactile reactivity, and hence, on horses' sensory perception. Tactile reactivity outside work, may be directly ( tactile stimulations) or indirectly ( the welfare state), influenced by working conditions.
Publication Date: 2023-02-07 PubMed ID: 36851434PubMed Central: PMC9959874DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10020130Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
  • Journal Article

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 research article discusses the variance in horses’ tactile reactivity based upon their type of work, particularly highlighting the difference in horses involved in equine-assisted interventions (EAI), riding school (RS), and both activities (EAI-RS). The study explores how such working activities impact horses’ sensory perception and affirms that horses’ tactile reactions may be subject to working conditions, either directly or indirectly.

Research Background and Objective

  • The research addresses a gap in animal studies, which seldom consider the influence of working activities on animals’ tactile reactivity, i.e., their response to touch or tactile sensations.
  • The central objective was to investigate this phenomenon particularly in horses, focusing on those involved in riding schools, equine-assisted interventions or both.
  • The authors compare the tactile reactivity of horses in different situations and aim to discern whether the type of work has an impact on the horses’ sensory perceptions.

Methodology

  • The study employed the method of testing horses’ tactile sensitivity using a von Frey filament, a tool used to measure pressure sensations in different body parts.
  • The researchers also compared the techniques people employed while brushing horses, specifically contrasting those with and without mental and/or developmental disorders.

Key Findings

  • The essential finding of this study is that horses involved in equine-assisted interventions (EAI) demonstrated higher tactile reactivity than those in riding schools (RS) or involved in both activities. This discrepancy was most noticeable when horses were tested with thin filaments.
  • All horses depicted a heightened sensitivity when tested on the ‘stifle’ (a joint in their hind legs), especially true for EAI horses.
  • Peculiarly, people with disorders brushed the horses’ hindquarters more and demonstrated fragmented actions.

Implications and Conclusion

  • The research implies that the type of work horses are involved in could influence their tactile reactivity, suggesting that it may play an integral role in shaping horses’ sensory perceptions.
  • It establishes that horses’ sensitivity to touch outside their working hours could be either directly influenced by tactile stimulations they experience during work, or indirectly affected by their overall welfare state.
  • The outcomes of this study pave the way for further research into how working conditions in different contexts affect tactile reactivity and sensory experience in animals.

Cite This Article

APA
Rochais C, Lerch N, Gueguen L, Schmidlin M, Bonamy O, Grandgeorge M, Hausberger M. (2023). Horses’ Tactile Reactivity Differs According to the Type of Work: The Example of Equine-Assisted Intervention. Vet Sci, 10(2), 130. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10020130

Publication

ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 2
PII: 130

Researcher Affiliations

Rochais, Céline
  • CNRS, EthoS Department of Éthologie animale et humaine-UMR 6552, University Rennes, Normandie University, Station Biologique, 35380 Paimpont, France.
Lerch, Noémie
  • CNRS, EthoS Department of Éthologie animale et humaine-UMR 6552, University Rennes, Normandie University, Station Biologique, 35380 Paimpont, France.
Gueguen, Léa
  • CNRS, EthoS Department of Éthologie animale et humaine-UMR 6552, University Rennes, Normandie University, Station Biologique, 35380 Paimpont, France.
Schmidlin, Margaux
  • CNRS, EthoS Department of Éthologie animale et humaine-UMR 6552, University Rennes, Normandie University, Station Biologique, 35380 Paimpont, France.
Bonamy, Ombeline
  • CNRS, EthoS Department of Éthologie animale et humaine-UMR 6552, University Rennes, Normandie University, Station Biologique, 35380 Paimpont, France.
Grandgeorge, Marine
  • CNRS, EthoS Department of Éthologie animale et humaine-UMR 6552, University Rennes, Normandie University, Station Biologique, 35380 Paimpont, France.
Hausberger, Martine
  • CNRS, EthoS Department of Éthologie animale et humaine-UMR 6552, University Rennes, Normandie University, Station Biologique, 35380 Paimpont, France.

Grant Funding

  • CS_2018_18 ; CS_2017_32 ; CS_2015_01 / Institut Franu00e7ais du Cheval et de l'u00c9quitation
  • ARED 20007248 / Ru00e9gion Bretagne
  • NA / Fondation Adrienne et Pierre Sommer
  • NA / Rennes 1 University
  • NA / French National Centre for Scientific Research

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 74 references
  1. Cauchoix M, Chaine AS. How Can We Study the Evolution of Animal Minds?. Front Psychol 2016;7:358.
    doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00358pmc: PMC4791388pubmed: 27014163google scholar: lookup
  2. Bremner AJ, Spence C. The Development of Tactile Perception.. Adv Child Dev Behav 2017;52:227-268.
    doi: 10.1016/BS.ACDB.2016.12.002pubmed: 28215286google scholar: lookup
  3. Bowden JL, McNulty PA. Age-related changes in cutaneous sensation in the healthy human hand.. Age (Dordr) 2013 Aug;35(4):1077-89.
    doi: 10.1007/s11357-012-9429-3pmc: PMC3705116pubmed: 22661298google scholar: lookup
  4. Plomin R. Developmental behavioral genetics.. Child Dev 1983 Apr;54(2):253-9.
  5. Gibbins S, Stevens B, Beyene J, Chan PC, Bagg M, Asztalos E. Pain behaviours in Extremely Low Gestational Age infants.. Early Hum Dev 2008 Jul;84(7):451-8.
  6. André V, Durier V, Beuchée A, Roué JM, Lemasson A, Hausberger M, Sizun J, Henry S. Higher tactile sensitivity in preterm infants at term-equivalent age: A pilot study.. PLoS One 2020;15(3):e0229270.
  7. Ragert P, Schmidt A, Altenmüller E, Dinse HR. Superior tactile performance and learning in professional pianists: evidence for meta-plasticity in musicians.. Eur J Neurosci 2004 Jan;19(2):473-8.
  8. Reuter EM, Voelcker-Rehage C, Vieluf S, Godde B. Touch perception throughout working life: effects of age and expertise.. Exp Brain Res 2012 Jan;216(2):287-97.
    doi: 10.1007/s00221-011-2931-5pubmed: 22080104google scholar: lookup
  9. Ellingsen DM, Leknes S, Løseth G, Wessberg J, Olausson H. The Neurobiology Shaping Affective Touch: Expectation, Motivation, and Meaning in the Multisensory Context.. Front Psychol 2015;6:1986.
    doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01986pmc: PMC4701942pubmed: 26779092google scholar: lookup
  10. Sailer U, Ackerley R. Exposure shapes the perception of affective touch.. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2019 Feb;35:109-114.
    doi: 10.1016/j.dcn.2017.07.008pmc: PMC6969125pubmed: 28818429google scholar: lookup
  11. Gazzola V, Spezio ML, Etzel JA, Castelli F, Adolphs R, Keysers C. Primary somatosensory cortex discriminates affective significance in social touch.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012 Jun 19;109(25):E1657-66.
    doi: 10.1073/pnas.1113211109pmc: PMC3382530pubmed: 22665808google scholar: lookup
  12. Henry S, Richard-Yris MA, Hausberger M. Influence of various early human-foal interferences on subsequent human-foal relationship.. Dev Psychobiol 2006 Dec;48(8):712-8.
    doi: 10.1002/dev.20189pubmed: 17111402google scholar: lookup
  13. de Boyer des Roches A, Durier V, Richard-Yris MA, Blois-Heulin C, Ezzaouïa M, Hausberger M, Henry S. Differential outcomes of unilateral interferences at birth.. Biol Lett 2011 Apr 23;7(2):177-80.
    doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2010.0979pmc: PMC3061188pubmed: 21084335google scholar: lookup
  14. Henry S, Richard-Yris MA, Tordjman S, Hausberger M. Neonatal handling affects durably bonding and social development.. PLoS One 2009;4(4):e5216.
  15. Tallet C, Sy K, Prunier A, Nowak R, Boissy A, Boivin X. Behavioural and Physiological Reactions of Piglets to Gentle Tactile Interactions Vary According to Their Previous Experience with Humans. Livest. Sci. 2014;167:331–341.
  16. Lange A, Franzmayr S, Wisenöcker V, Futschik A, Waiblinger S, Lürzel S. Effects of Different Stroking Styles on Behaviour and Cardiac Parameters in Heifers.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Mar 4;10(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10030426pmc: PMC7143138pubmed: 32143274google scholar: lookup
  17. Fine AH, Andersen SJ. A Commentary on the Contemporary Issues Confronting Animal Assisted and Equine Assisted Interactions.. J Equine Vet Sci 2021 May;100:103436.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103436pubmed: 34030793google scholar: lookup
  18. Jegatheesan B, Yamazaki K. The IAHAIO Definitions for Animal Assisted Intervention and Guidelines for Wellness of Animals Involved in AAI. Elsevier; Amsterdam, The Netherlands: 2019; pp. 499–504.
  19. Contalbrigo L, Borgi M, De Santis M, Collacchi B, Tuozzi A, Toson M, Redaelli V, Odore R, Vercelli C, Stefani A, Luzi F, Valle E, Cirulli F. Equine-Assisted Interventions (EAIs) for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Behavioural and Physiological Indices of Stress in Domestic Horses (Equus caballus) during Riding Sessions.. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 27;11(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11061562pmc: PMC8227027pubmed: 34071859google scholar: lookup
  20. Gonzalez-De Cara C.A., Perez-Ecija A, Aguilera-Aguilera R, Rodero-Serrano E, Mendoza F.J. Temperament Test for Donkeys to Be Used in Assisted Therapy. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2017;186:64–71.
  21. De Santis M, Contalbrigo L, Borgi M, Cirulli F, Luzi F, Redaelli V, Stefani A, Toson M, Odore R, Vercelli C, Valle E, Farina L. Equine Assisted Interventions (EAIs): Methodological Considerations for Stress Assessment in Horses.. Vet Sci 2017 Sep 8;4(3).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci4030044pmc: PMC5644660pubmed: 29056702google scholar: lookup
  22. Glenk LM. Current Perspectives on Therapy Dog Welfare in Animal-Assisted Interventions.. Animals (Basel) 2017 Feb 1;7(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani7020007pmc: PMC5332928pubmed: 28157145google scholar: lookup
  23. Kuhne F, Hössler JC, Struwe R. [Affective behavioural responses by dogs to tactile human-dog interactions].. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr 2012 Sep-Oct;125(9-10):371-8.
    pubmed: 23045798
  24. Gueguen L, Lerch N, Grandgeorge M, Hausberger M. Testing individual variations of horses' tactile reactivity: when, where, how?. Naturwissenschaften 2022 Aug 11;109(5):41.
    doi: 10.1007/s00114-022-01811-ypubmed: 35951112google scholar: lookup
  25. Saslow C.A. Understanding the Perceptual World of Horses. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2002;78:209–224.
  26. Lansade L, Pichard G, Leconte M. Sensory Sensitivities: Components of a Horse’s Temperament Dimension. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2008;114:534–553.
  27. Boyd L.E. Time Budgets of Adult Przewalski Horses: Effects of Sex, Reproductive Status and Enclosure. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 1988;21:19–39.
  28. Feh C, de Mazierès J. Grooming at a Preferred Site Reduces Heart Rate in Horses. Anim. Behav. 1993;46:1191–1194.
    doi: 10.1006/anbe.1993.1309google scholar: lookup
  29. Spier SJ, Berger Pusterla J, Villarroel A, Pusterla N. Outcome of tactile conditioning of neonates, or "imprint training" on selected handling measures in foals.. Vet J 2004 Nov;168(3):252-8.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2003.12.008pubmed: 15501142google scholar: lookup
  30. Van Iwaarden A, Stubbs N.C, Clayton H.M. Topographical Anatomy of the Equine M. Cutaneus Trunci in Relation to the Position of the Saddle and Girth. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2012;32:519–524.
  31. Vidament M, Lansade L, Danvy S, Saint Priest B.D, Sabbagh M, Ricard A. Personality in Young Horses and Ponies Evaluated during Breeding Shows: Phenotypic Link with Jumping Competition Results. J. Vet. Behav. 2021;44:1–11.
  32. Vidament M, Yvon J, Bon M, Saint Priest B, Danvy S, Lansade L. The Temperament of Horses Measured by Standardized Tests: Relationship with Age, Race and Rider Level. Proceedings of the 41ème Journée de la Recherche Équine; Paris, France. 12 March 2015; pp. 15–24.
  33. Hausberger M, Bruderer C, Le Scolan N, Pierre JS. Interplay between environmental and genetic factors in temperament/personality traits in horses (Equus caballus).. J Comp Psychol 2004 Dec;118(4):434-46.
    doi: 10.1037/0735-7036.118.4.434pubmed: 15584780google scholar: lookup
  34. Hausberger M, Gautier E, Biquand V, Lunel C, Jégo P. Could work be a source of behavioural disorders? A study in horses.. PLoS One 2009 Oct 28;4(10):e7625.
  35. Hausberger M, Muller C, Lunel C. Does work affect personality? A study in horses.. PLoS One 2011 Feb 9;6(2):e14659.
  36. Hausberger M, Stomp M, Sankey C, Brajon S, Lunel C, Henry S. Mutual interactions between cognition and welfare: The horse as an animal model.. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019 Dec;107:540-559.
  37. Lesimple C, Fureix C, Menguy H, Hausberger M. Human direct actions may alter animal welfare, a study on horses (Equus caballus).. PLoS One 2010 Apr 28;5(4):e10257.
  38. Rochais C, Henry S, Sankey C, Nassur F, Góracka-Bruzda A, Hausberger M. Visual attention, an indicator of human-animal relationships? A study of domestic horses (Equus caballus).. Front Psychol 2014;5:108.
    doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00108pmc: PMC3923161pubmed: 24592244google scholar: lookup
  39. Rochais C, Stomp M, Sébilleau M, Houdebine M, Henry S, Hausberger M. Horses' attentional characteristics differ according to the type of work.. PLoS One 2022;17(7):e0269974.
  40. Philippe-Peyroutet C, Grandgeorge M. Animal-Assisted Interventions for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Survey of French Facilities. People Anim. Int. J. Res. Pract. 2018;1:8.
  41. Pluta M, Kȩdzierski W. Emotional Responses of Horses to Patients Requiring Therapy. Soc. Anim. 2018;26:426–436.
    doi: 10.1163/15685306-12341559google scholar: lookup
  42. Fazio E, Medica P, Cravana C, Ferlazzo A. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responses of horses to therapeutic riding program: effects of different riders.. Physiol Behav 2013 Jun 13;118:138-43.
    doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.05.009pubmed: 23684906google scholar: lookup
  43. Lerch N, Cirulli F, Rochais C, Lesimple C, Guilbaud E, Contalbrigo L, Borgi M, Grandgeorge M, Hausberger M. Interest in Humans: Comparisons between Riding School Lesson Equids and Assisted-Intervention Equids.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 28;11(9).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11092533pmc: PMC8468107pubmed: 34573500google scholar: lookup
  44. Mendonça T, Bienboire-Frosini C, Menuge F, Leclercq J, Lafont-Lecuelle C, Arroub S, Pageat P. The Impact of Equine-Assisted Therapy on Equine Behavioral and Physiological Responses.. Animals (Basel) 2019 Jul 1;9(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani9070409pmc: PMC6681086pubmed: 31266217google scholar: lookup
  45. Fureix C, Jego P, Sankey C, Hausberger M. How horses (Equus caballus) see the world: humans as significant "objects".. Anim Cogn 2009 Jul;12(4):643-54.
    doi: 10.1007/s10071-009-0223-2pubmed: 19381698google scholar: lookup
  46. Hausberger M, Roche H, Henry S, Visser E.K. A Review of the Human–Horse Relationship. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2008;109:1–24.
  47. Lansade L, Bonneau C, Parias C, Biau S. Horse’s Emotional State and Rider Safety during Grooming Practices, a Field Study. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2019;217:43–47.
  48. Mills D, Nankervis K. Equine Behaviour: Principles and Practice. Blackwell; Oxford, UK: 1999.
  49. R Core Team. R. A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing; Vienna, Austria: 2020.
  50. Siegel S, Castellan N.J. Nonparametric Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences. McGraw-Hill; New York, NY, USA: 1988.
  51. Burn C.C, Dennison T.L, Whay H.R. Relationships between Behaviour and Health in Working Horses, Donkeys, and Mules in Developing Countries. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2010;126:109–118.
  52. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. American Psychiatric Association; Washington, DC, USA: 2013.
  53. World Health Organization. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview, Version 1.1. WHO; Geneva, Switzerland: 1994. Researcher’s Manual.
  54. Altmann J. Observational study of behavior: sampling methods.. Behaviour 1974;49(3):227-67.
    doi: 10.1163/156853974X00534pubmed: 4597405google scholar: lookup
  55. British Horse Society and The Pony Club. The Manual of Horsemanship. William Clowes Ltd.; London, UK: 1985.
  56. Anderson M.K, Friend T.H, Evans J.W, Bushong D.M. Behavioral Assessment of Horses in Therapeutic Riding Programs. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 1999;63:11–24.
  57. Minero M, Zucca D, Canali E. A Note on Reaction to Novel Stimulus and Restraint by Therapeutic Riding Horses. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2006;97:335–342.
  58. Rankins EM, Wickens CL, McKeever KH, Malinowski K. A Survey of Horse Selection, Longevity, and Retirement in Equine-Assisted Services in the United States.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 7;11(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11082333pmc: PMC8388649pubmed: 34438791google scholar: lookup
  59. Fureix C, Jego P, Henry S, Lansade L, Hausberger M. Towards an ethological animal model of depression? A study on horses.. PLoS One 2012;7(6):e39280.
  60. Haussler KK, Erb HN. Mechanical nociceptive thresholds in the axial skeleton of horses.. Equine Vet J 2006 Jan;38(1):70-5.
    doi: 10.2746/042516406775374315pubmed: 16411590google scholar: lookup
  61. Durier V, Henry S, Sankey C, Sizun J, Hausberger M. Locomotor Inhibition in Adult Horses Faced to Stressors: A Single Postpartum Experience May be Enough!. Front Psychol 2012;3:442.
    doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00442pmc: PMC3483057pubmed: 23112783google scholar: lookup
  62. Brajon S, Laforest J.P, Bergeron R, Tallet C, Hötzel M.J, Devillers N. Persistency of the Piglet’s Reactivity to the Handler Following a Previous Positive or Negative Experience. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2015;162:9–19.
  63. Croy I, Sehlstedt I, Wasling HB, Ackerley R, Olausson H. Gentle touch perception: From early childhood to adolescence.. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2019 Feb;35:81-86.
    doi: 10.1016/j.dcn.2017.07.009pmc: PMC6968959pubmed: 28927641google scholar: lookup
  64. Brubaker L, Schroeder K, Sherwood D, Stroud D, Udell MAR. Horse Behavior towards Familiar and Unfamiliar Humans: Implications for Equine-Assisted Services.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 11;11(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11082369pmc: PMC8388774pubmed: 34438825google scholar: lookup
  65. Mendonça T, Bienboire-Frosini C, Kowalczyk I, Leclercq J, Arroub S, Pageat P. Equine Activities Influence Horses' Responses to Different Stimuli: Could This Have an Impact on Equine Welfare?. Animals (Basel) 2019 May 29;9(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani9060290pmc: PMC6616897pubmed: 31146422google scholar: lookup
  66. Lansade L, Nowak R, Lainé AL, Leterrier C, Bonneau C, Parias C, Bertin A. Facial expression and oxytocin as possible markers of positive emotions in horses.. Sci Rep 2018 Oct 2;8(1):14680.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-32993-zpmc: PMC6168541pubmed: 30279565google scholar: lookup
  67. Sankey C, Henry S, Górecka-Bruzda A, Richard-Yris MA, Hausberger M. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach: what about horses?. PLoS One 2010 Nov 15;5(11):e15446.
  68. Osthaus B, Proops L, Long S, Bell N, Hayday K, Burden F. Hair coat properties of donkeys, mules and horses in a temperate climate.. Equine Vet J 2018 May;50(3):339-342.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12775pmc: PMC5900864pubmed: 29053900google scholar: lookup
  69. Cymbaluk N.F. Thermoregulation of Horses in Cold, Winter Weather: A Review. Livest. Prod. Sci. 1994;40:65–71.
  70. Tyler S.J. The Behaviour and Social Organization of the New Forest Ponies. Anim. Behav. Monogr. 1972;5:87–196.
  71. Hausberger M, Lesimple C, Henry S. Detecting Welfare in a Non-Verbal Species: Social/Cultural Biases and Difficulties in Horse Welfare Assessment.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 30;11(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11082249pmc: PMC8388525pubmed: 34438708google scholar: lookup
  72. Ellis S.L.H, Thompson H, Guijarro C, Zulch H.E. The Influence of Body Region, Handler Familiarity and Order of Region Handled on the Domestic Cat’s Response to Being Stroked. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2015;173:60–67.
  73. Sankey C, Henry S, Clouard C, Richard-Yris MA, Hausberger M. Asymmetry of behavioral responses to a human approach in young naive vs. trained horses.. Physiol Behav 2011 Sep 1;104(3):464-8.
    doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.05.009pubmed: 21605580google scholar: lookup
  74. Waring G. Horse Behavior. Noyes Publications; Norwich, NY, USA: 2003.

Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Loftus L, Newman A, Leach M, Asher L. Exploring the induction and measurement of positive affective state in equines through a personality-centred lens. Sci Rep 2025 May 27;15(1):18550.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-98034-8pubmed: 40425817google scholar: lookup
  2. Rochais C, Akoka E, Amiot Girard S, Grandgeorge M, Henry S. Through a Horse's Eyes: Investigating Cognitive Bias and Responses to Humans in Equine-Assisted Interventions. Animals (Basel) 2025 Feb 19;15(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15040607pubmed: 40003087google scholar: lookup
  3. Grandgeorge M, Lerch N, Delarue A, Hausberger M. From Human Perception of Good Practices to Horse (Equus Caballus) Welfare: Example of Equine-Assisted Activities. Animals (Basel) 2024 Sep 2;14(17).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14172548pubmed: 39272332google scholar: lookup