Personality and predisposition to form habit behaviours during instrumental conditioning in horses (Equus caballus).

The research article investigates the link between personality traits and learning abilities in horses, particularly looking at how these traits may predispose an individual to switch from goal-oriented behaviors to habitual behaviors during learning processes.

Study Objectives and Methods

• The study revealed three major objectives. Firstly, to establish whether horses can adjust their responses based on the relationship between their actions and the rewards they receive. Secondly, it aimed to find relationships between certain personality profiles and a predisposition towards habit formation during learning. Lastly, it aimed to discover if emotional states experienced during the learning process play a role in this switch.
• Personality tests were conducted on 29 horses, and the results were followed by a “degradation contingency protocol.” This method aids in identifying goal-directed and habitual processes by degrading the relationship between a response and its reward, thereby testing if the animals would change their behavior accordingly.

Findings of the Study

• The findings showed that horses were generally capable of perceiving and adjusting to the degradation of contingency between their action and the reward. This shows that horses have an understanding of the link between their behavior and reward.
• However, individual differences were apparent. Horses with high levels of fearfulness, and to a lesser extent low sensory sensitivity and low gregariousness, were less sensitive to the degradation of contingency. This indicated that these horses are more likely to switch to a habit-based process when learning.
• Contrary to the researchers’ initial hypothesis, the emotional state experienced during the process did not seem to play a significant role in the switch from goal-directed to habitual processes.

Implication of the Study

• The researchers concluded that a horse’s personality traits are not only related to learning performance but also to the processes used during learning. They added that this relationship exists independent of the emotion experienced during the learning process.
• The study provides novel insights into cognitive capabilities in ungulates – a group of mammals that predominantly use the tips of their toes, typically hoofed, for locomotion. In this case, the research could have implications for how training and management strategies are developed for horses.