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Home / Equine Research Bank / Laterality / Laterality of horses associated with emotionality in novel s...
Laterality2006; 11(4); 355-367; doi: 10.1080/13576500600624221

Laterality of horses associated with emotionality in novel situations.

Abstract: We have established that lateral biases are characteristic of visual behaviour in 65 horses. Two breeds, Trotters and French Saddlebreds aged 2 to 3, were tested on a novel object test. The main finding was a significant correlation between emotionality index and the eye preferred to view the novel stimulus: the higher the emotionality, the more likely that the horse looked with its left eye. The less emotive French Saddlebreds, however, tended to glance at the object using the right eye, a tendency that was not found in the Trotters, although the emotive index was the same for both breeds. The youngest French Saddlebreds did not show this trend. These results are discussed in relation to the different training practices for the breeds and broader findings on lateralisation in different species.
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Publication Date: 2006-06-07 PubMed ID: 16754236DOI: 10.1080/13576500600624221Google 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 paper examines the relationship between the lateral (right or left) visual behavior of horses and their emotional response to novel situations. It was found that horses with higher emotionality levels were more likely to use their left eye to view a new stimulus.

Objective

The main objective of the research was to investigate if there was any connection between the lateral biases in the visual behavior of horses and the emotionality they exhibit when placed in unfamiliar situations.

Methodology

  • The research involved testing two breeds of horses, Trotters and French Saddlebreds, aged between 2 and 3. This was done using a novel object test where the horses had to observe a new thing or situation.
  • The researchers studied the preference of the horses in terms of which eye they used to view of new stimuli. They noted the preference and conducted tests to find if there was a link between the lateral viewing preference and the horse’s emotional response.

Findings

  • The researchers discovered a significant co-relation between the emotional response of the horse and its lateral visual preference. Horses that rated high on the emotionality index were more likely to view the new object with their left eye.
  • Interestingly, French Saddlebreds, which have lower emotionality, prefer to look at the novel object with their right eye — a trait which was not observed in Trotters, despite both breeds displaying a similar level of emotionality.
  • The research also interestingly noted that the youngest French Saddlebreds cohort did not show this right-eye preference.

Implications and Discussion

  • These results are interpreted in relation to the differing training practices employed for the two breeds. They suggest that lateralization in visual behavior could be influenced by training methods, and not just be a natural tendency.
  • The researchers also contextualize their findings within the wider body of research on lateralization among different species. Lateralization refers to the preference of an organism to use one side of its body over the other, which is quite common in many species. The study adds to our understanding of this phenomenon in horses and could possibly be beneficial in designing training or behaviour management strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Larose C, Richard-Yris MA, Hausberger M, Rogers LJ. (2006). Laterality of horses associated with emotionality in novel situations. Laterality, 11(4), 355-367. https://doi.org/10.1080/13576500600624221

Publication

Laterality
ISSN: 1357-650X
NlmUniqueID: 9609064
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 4
Pages: 355-367

Researcher Affiliations

Larose, Claire
  • Université de Rennes 1, France.
Richard-Yris, Marie-Annick
    Hausberger, Martine
      Rogers, Lesley J

        MeSH Terms

        • Affect / physiology
        • Animals
        • Brain / physiology
        • Female
        • Functional Laterality / physiology
        • Horses
        • Male
        • Social Behavior
        • Social Environment

        Citations

        This article has been cited 38 times.
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