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Home / Equine Research Bank / Anim Cogn / How horses (Equus caballus) see the world: humans as signifi...
Animal cognition2009; 12(4); 643-654; doi: 10.1007/s10071-009-0223-2

How horses (Equus caballus) see the world: humans as significant “objects”.

Abstract: This study aimed to determine whether horses have a kind of memory of humans (based on previous interactions), leading to a general significance of humans revealed by their reactions to humans in subsequent interactions. Subjects were 59 adult horses used to interact daily with humans. Three types of behavioural tests involving an unknown experimenter evaluated three possibly different memorized types of human-animal interactions (not work-related, using work-related objects, unfamiliar working task). We also performed standardized observations of routine interactions between each horse and its familiar handler (caretaker). To get a broad overview of the horses' reactions to humans, we recorded both investigative and aggressive behaviours during the tests, representing respectively a "positive" and a "negative" memory of the relationship. Whereas correlations between tests revealed a general perception of humans as either positive or negative, unusual tests, i.e. that are not usually performed, elicited more positive reactions. Moreover, some horses reacted positively to a motionless person in their box, but negatively when this same person approached them, for example for halter fitting. Overall, aggressive reactions were more reliable indicators of the relationship than positive reactions, both between tests and between familiar and unfamiliar humans. Our results also show generalization of the perception of humans. These results support our hypothesis that perception of humans by horses may be based on experience, i.e. repeated interactions. Altogether, our results support the hypothesis that horses can form a memory of humans that impacts their reactions in subsequent interactions.
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Publication Date: 2009-04-21 PubMed ID: 19381698DOI: 10.1007/s10071-009-0223-2Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

The research article investigates how horses perceive humans, based on their prior experiences and interactions, which consequently influence their reactions in future encounters.

Introduction

The researchers of this study hypothesized that horses maintain some form of memory of their encounters with humans, which influences their reactions in future interactions. Horses’ perception of humans could thereby be based on their previous experiences, habitually positive or negative.

Methodology

  • Participants: The study involved 59 adult horses that had daily interaction with humans.
  • Tests: Three distinct behavioral tests were conducted that involved an unknown experimenter. These tests evaluated three different memorized types of human-animal interactions (not work-related, using work-related objects, unfamiliar working task).
  • Observations: Standardized observations were conducted of routine interactions between each horse and its familiar handler (caretaker).
  • Data Recording: Both investigative (positive memory) and aggressive (negative memory) behaviors of the horses were recorded during the tests to get a comprehensive view of their reactions towards humans.

Findings

  • Correlations between tests revealed that horses perceive humans generally as either positive or negative.
  • The tests which were not regularly performed showed more instances of positive reactions from the horses.
  • Yet, certain horses reacted positively to a motionless person in their space but reacted negatively when the same person approached them for tasks like halter fitting.
  • Aggressive reactions served as more reliable indicators of the relationship between horse and human, compared to positive reactions. These aggressive reactions were more apparent during interactions with both familiar and unfamiliar humans.
  • Horses portrayed a generalized perception of humans, indicating that their prior experiences influence their reactions in future interactions.

Conclusion

The study supported the initial hypothesis that horses form a memory of humans impacting their reactions in subsequent interactions. Hence, horses’ perception of humans could be established based on the experiences they accrue through repeated interactions. The study findings are significant as they shed light on the horses’ cognitive ability to form memories of their past interactions and utilize them to predict future encounters.

Cite This Article

APA
Fureix C, Jego P, Sankey C, Hausberger M. (2009). How horses (Equus caballus) see the world: humans as significant “objects”. Anim Cogn, 12(4), 643-654. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-009-0223-2

Publication

Animal cognition
ISSN: 1435-9456
NlmUniqueID: 9814573
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 4
Pages: 643-654

Researcher Affiliations

Fureix, Carole
  • Laboratoire Ethologie Animale et Humaine, UMR CNRS 6552, Campus de Beaulieu bâtiment 25, 263 avenue du Général Leclerc, 35042, Rennes Cedex, France. carole.fureix@univ-rennes1.fr
Jego, Patrick
    Sankey, Carol
      Hausberger, Martine

        MeSH Terms

        • Aggression
        • Animals
        • Association Learning
        • Female
        • Generalization, Psychological
        • Horses / psychology
        • Humans
        • Male
        • Recognition, Psychology
        • Social Environment

        Citations

        This article has been cited 24 times.
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