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Behavioural processes2015; 124; 93-96; doi: 10.1016/j.beproc.2015.12.010

Investigating attentional processes in depressive-like domestic horses (Equus caballus).

Abstract: Some captive/domestic animals respond to confinement by becoming inactive and unresponsive to external stimuli. Human inactivity is one of the behavioural markers of clinical depression, a mental disorder diagnosed by the co-occurrence of symptoms including deficit in selective attention. Some riding horses display 'withdrawn' states of inactivity and low responsiveness to stimuli that resemble the reduced engagement with their environment of some depressed patients. We hypothesized that 'withdrawn' horses experience a depressive-like state and evaluated their level of attention by confronting them with auditory stimuli. Five novel auditory stimuli were broadcasted to 27 horses, including 12 'withdrawn' horses, for 5 days. The horses' reactions and durations of attention were recorded. Non-withdrawn horses reacted more and their attention lasted longer than that of withdrawn horses on the first day, but their durations of attention decreased over days, but those of withdrawn horses remained stable. These results suggest that the withdrawn horses' selective attention is altered, adding to already evidenced common features between this horses' state and human depression.
Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.
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Publication Date: 2015-12-29 PubMed ID: 26739514DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2015.12.010Google 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.

This research investigates whether ‘withdrawn’ horses, which display states of inactivity similar to symptoms of clinical depression in humans, might be experiencing a syndrome akin to human depression. The study tested the hypothesis using auditory stimuli and observed how both withdrawn and non-withdrawn horses reacted to and maintained attention towards these stimuli.

Study Design

The explorative study involved 27 domestic horses, including 12 that exhibited symptoms of withdrawal, characterized by inactivity and diminished responsiveness to stimuli. These horses’ behaviors resembled symptoms of clinical depression in humans, identified by a lack of interest or pleasure in activities, feelings of low self-worth or guilt, and reduced attentiveness.

  • The researchers carried out a series of tests over five days.
  • Five novel auditory stimuli were broadcasted to all horses.
  • The reactions and duration of attention of these horses were carefully recorded and analyzed.

Results and Findings

The study discovered various interesting findings.

  • On the first day, the non-withdrawn horses reacted more intensively and paid sustained attention to the auditory stimuli compared to the withdrawn horses.
  • As the study progressed, the non-withdrawn horses’ attentiveness and reaction towards the stimuli decreased.
  • Conversely, the duration of attention of the withdrawn horses remained relatively steady over the scope of the experiment.

Implications of the Research

This research adds to the understanding of depression-like states in animals and the feasibility of studying and comparing them with similar states in humans. The results suggest that withdrawn horses’ selective attention is altered, further supporting the hypothesis that they may be experiencing a state akin to human depression. It illuminates potential new therapies for both horses and humans, recognising the shared symptoms that could be treated in a similar manner.
Moreover, it sparks discussions for improved care and inclusion of enhanced stimuli in the environment of captive and domestic horses to elevate their engagement and wellbeing.

Cite This Article

APA
Rochais C, Henry S, Fureix C, Hausberger M. (2015). Investigating attentional processes in depressive-like domestic horses (Equus caballus). Behav Processes, 124, 93-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2015.12.010

Publication

Behavioural processes
ISSN: 1872-8308
NlmUniqueID: 7703854
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 124
Pages: 93-96
PII: S0376-6357(15)30097-8

Researcher Affiliations

Rochais, C
  • Université de Rennes 1, UMR CNRS 6552, Laboratoire Ethologie Animale et Humaine-EthoS, Station biologique, 35380 Paimpont, France. Electronic address: celine.rochais@gmail.com.
Henry, S
  • Université de Rennes 1, UMR CNRS 6552, Laboratoire Ethologie Animale et Humaine-EthoS, Station biologique, 35380 Paimpont, France.
Fureix, C
  • School of Veterinary Sciences, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East Guelph, N1G2W1, Canada.
Hausberger, M
  • CNRS- UMR 6552 Université de Rennes 1, Laboratoire Ethologie Animale et Humaine, 263 avenue du général Leclerc, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France.

MeSH Terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation / psychology
  • Acoustic Stimulation / veterinary
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Animals
  • Attention
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Cognition
  • Depression / etiology
  • Depression / psychology
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horse Diseases / psychology
  • Horses / psychology

Citations

This article has been cited 16 times.
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