Long-term memory for categories and concepts in horses (Equus caballus).
Abstract: Three horses (Equus caballus) with a history of performing cognitive tasks including discrimination learning, categorization, and concept use were tested to evaluate their long-term memory (LTM) in three experiments. In addition, use of LCD multi-displays for stimulus presentation was incorporated into cognition testing protocol for the first time with horses. Experiment 1 tested LTM for discrimination learning that originally occurred 6 years earlier. Five sets of stimuli were used and the two horses tested showed no decrement in performance on four of the sets; however, both horses did score below chance on one set. Experiment 2 examined long-term categorization recall 10 years after horses had demonstrated the ability to make stimulus selections based on shared characteristics within a given category. The horse tested for LTM after the decade-long interval immediately and consistently applied the previously learned categorization rule to not only familiar but also novel sets of stimuli. Experiment 3 tested another horse for LTM for a relative size concept. This horse had originally demonstrated concept rule use in order to select stimuli based on their relative size to one another. More than 7 years later and without further training, this horse reliably applied the previously established size concept to both familiar and novel sets of stimuli. These findings are the first reports of long-term categorical and conceptual memory in horses and are consistent with observations of domestic and wild horses, which indicate that behavioral and ecological events may be remembered for long periods of time. These studies also demonstrate the adaptive nature of horses with regard to their ability to generalize over several different testing conditions.
Publication Date: 2009-01-16 PubMed ID: 19148689DOI: 10.1007/s10071-008-0205-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study investigates the ability of horses to recall concepts and categories they learned years ago. Horses’ long-term memory was tested through various experiments, revealing that they can remember past learning lessons exceptionally well.
Objective and Methodology
- Three horses were chosen for the study, each with a history of performing cognitive tasks and understanding different concepts and categories. The research aimed to evaluate their long-term memory skills.
- The researchers utilized LCD multi-displays for stimulus presentation in the cognition testing protocol for the first time involving horses.
- Three separate experiments were conducted to test the horses’ memory recall related to discrimination learning, categorization, and relative size concept.
Experiment Results
- Experiment 1 evaluated horses’ long-term memory for discrimination learning that they had learned six years ago. Of the five sets of stimuli used, the horses tested showed consistent performance on four of the sets. However, their performance was below average on one set.
- Experiment 2 tested another horse’s memory of categories they had learned about ten years ago. This horse was able to apply the previously learned rules for categorizing both familiar and unfamiliar sets of stimuli, showing that the category concepts were firmly imprinted in its memory.
- Experiment 3 examined a horse’s long-term memory for size-based concepts, taught over seven years ago. Without additional training during this period, the horse reliably applied the previously bookmarked size concept to both familiar and unfamiliar stimuli sets.
Key Findings and Implications
- The results of the experiments are the first-ever reports of long-term categorical and conceptual memory in horses. These findings align with observations from domestic and wild horses, suggesting that they have the ability to remember behavioral and ecological events for extended periods.
- The study also showcased the horses’ adaptability in generalizing their learning over multiple testing conditions.
- This research extends our understanding of long-term memory in animals, specifically horses, and indicates their advanced cognitive abilities.
Cite This Article
APA
Hanggi EB, Ingersoll JF.
(2009).
Long-term memory for categories and concepts in horses (Equus caballus).
Anim Cogn, 12(3), 451-462.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-008-0205-9 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Research Foundation, Aptos, CA 95001, USA. EquiResF@aol.com
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Classification
- Concept Formation
- Discrimination Learning / physiology
- Generalization, Psychological / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Horses / psychology
- Longitudinal Studies
- Male
- Pattern Recognition, Visual / physiology
- Retention, Psychology / physiology
Citations
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