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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(21); 3014; doi: 10.3390/ani12213014

Limitations of Spatial Judgment Bias Test Application in Horses (Equus ferus caballus).

Abstract: Affective states are of increasing interest in the assessment of animal welfare. This research aimed to evaluate the possible limitations in the application of a spatial judgment bias test (JBT) in horses, considering the influence of stress level, personality traits, and the possible bias due to the test structure itself. The distinction between two positions, one rewarded (Positive) and the other not (Negative), was learned by 10 horses and 4 ponies,. Then, the latency to reach three unrewarded ambiguous positions (Near Positive, Middle, Near Negative) was measured. Furthermore, the validated Equine Behavior Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ) was employed to assess personality traits. Fecal and hair cortisol levels were measured through radioimmunoassay (RIA), and the frequency of behavioral stress indicators was recorded. Results showed that horses that had the rewarded position (Positive) on the right approached Near Negative and Middle faster than those that had Positive on the left. Certain personality traits influenced the latency to reach Middle and Near Positive, but chronic stress did not seem to affect horses' judgment bias. This preliminary study highlighted several limitations in the employment of spatial JBT for the assessment of affective state in horses and that personality traits can partially influence the cognitive process. Further research is needed to refine the use of this test in horses, considering the peculiarities both of species and of individuals.
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Publication Date: 2022-11-03 PubMed ID: 36359138PubMed Central: PMC9654000DOI: 10.3390/ani12213014Google 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.

The research article tries to assess the limitations of the spatial judgment bias test in horses. The test aims to evaluate horses’ affective states but the research shows it may be influenced by stress levels, personality traits, and test structure.

Objective

The primary objective of this research was to explore the potential limitations in applying a spatial judgment bias test (JBT) to horses. The researchers aimed to examine how factors such as stress level, personality traits, and the fundamental structure of the test itself could impact its application.

Methodology

  • A total of 14 equines (10 horses and 4 ponies) were trained to distinguish between two positions — one rewarded (Positive) and one not rewarded (Negative).
  • After this training, the researchers measured the latency (delay) for the equines to reach three unrewarded or ambiguous positions labelled as Near Positive, Middle, and Near Negative.
  • The researchers also utilised the Equine Behavior Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ) to assess the personality traits of the equines.
  • The equines’ stress levels were inferred by measuring fecal and hair cortisol (a hormone associated with stress response) levels using Radioimmunoassay (RIA), and by recording the frequency of behavioural stress indicators.

Results

  • Results from the tests indicated that equines who had the rewarded (Positive) position on their right side approached the Near Negative and Middle positions faster than those who had the Positive position on the left.
  • Personality traits appeared to have some influence over the latency to reach the Middle and Near Positive positions, although chronic stress levels did not seem to affect the equines’ judgment bias.

Implications and Further Research

The preliminary study revealed several limitations in the use of spatial JBT for assessing affective states in equines. The researchers found that personality traits could partially influence the cognitive process. Areas identified for further investigation included the test structure itself and influences of stress levels on equines’ performance. The authors of the study recommended more research to refine the use of this test in horses, taking into account both the specific characteristics of the species and individual differences among horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Marliani G, Vannucchi I, Kiumurgis I, Accorsi PA. (2022). Limitations of Spatial Judgment Bias Test Application in Horses (Equus ferus caballus). Animals (Basel), 12(21), 3014. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12213014

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 21
PII: 3014

Researcher Affiliations

Marliani, Giovanna
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy.
Vannucchi, Irene
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy.
Kiumurgis, Irini
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy.
Accorsi, Pier Attilio
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Rogers LJ. Knowledge of lateralized brain function can contribute to animal welfare. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1242906.
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  2. Hall C, Kay R. Living the good life? A systematic review of behavioural signs of affective state in the domestic horse (Equus caballus) and factors relating to quality of life. Part 2: Horse-human interactions. Anim Welf 2024;33:e41.
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  3. Hall C, Kay R. Living the good life? A systematic review of behavioural signs of affective state in the domestic horse (Equus caballus) and factors relating to quality of life. Part I: Fulfilment of species-specific needs. Anim Welf 2024;33:e40.
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