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Home / Equine Research Bank / Behav Processes / Post-conflict friendly reunion in a permanent group of horse...
Behavioural processes2010; 85(2); 185-190; doi: 10.1016/j.beproc.2010.07.007

Post-conflict friendly reunion in a permanent group of horses (Equus caballus).

Abstract: Gregarious animals living in permanent social groups experience intra-group competition. Conflicts over resources can escalate into costly aggression and, in some conditions, non-dispersive forms of conflict resolution may be favoured. Post-conflict friendly reunions, hence reconciliation, have been described in a variety of species. The aim of this study was to explore, for the first time, the occurrence of reconciliation in a group of domestic horses (Equus caballus) and learn more about strategies used to maintain group cohesion. The behaviour of seven horses living as permanent group in an enclosure for at least 2 years was observed by video for 108h from June to August 2007. We used a Post-Conflict/Matched Control method to assess the existence of reconciliation and third-party affiliation. Behaviours recorded Post-Conflict, or during Matched Control periods, were classified as affiliative based on previous descriptions of visual communication patterns in horses. The proportion of attracted pairs over total post-conflict situations was significantly greater than the proportion of dispersed pairs, both during dyadic interactions (p<0.001) and during triadic interactions (p=0.002). The results of the present study show that both dyadic reconciliation and third-party post-conflict affiliative interactions form important social mechanisms for managing post-conflict situations in horses.
Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2010-07-24 PubMed ID: 20659538DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2010.07.007Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 study investigates how domestic horses (Equus caballus) that live together in a permanent group deal with conflict within the group. The research shows that these animals demonstrate reconciliation behaviors, as well as third-party affiliative interactions, in order to manage post-conflict situations.

Objective of the study

  • The research aimed at understanding if and how domestic horses that were living permanently together resolved conflicts and worked to maintain peace and cohesion within the group. This is the first study of its kind into this behavior in horses.

Methodology

  • The study took place from June to August 2007, involving the observation of seven horses that had been living as a permanent group in an enclosure for at least 2 years.
  • Data was collected through video observations for a total of 108 hours.
  • The Post-Conflict/Matched Control method was used to analyse the behaviours of the horses post-conflict and compare them to a control group.
  • Behaviours were categorized as affiliative based on previously established visual communication patterns in horses.

Findings

  • The research showed that the number of attracted pairs following a conflict situation was significantly higher than the proportion of dispersed pairs, in both dyadic (two-party) and triadic (three-party) interactions.
  • This suggests that both dyadic reconciliation and third-party affiliative interactions play a key role in managing conflicts within a group of horses.

Implications of the research

  • This study contributes to our understanding of social dynamics and behavior within a group of horses, specifically how they deal with tensions and conflicts.
  • It strengthens the evidence of complex social mechanisms in horses, which includes reconciliation and third-party affiliation following conflict.
  • This knowledge could be useful in managing groups of horses in domestic or farming environments, for maintaining group health and welfare.

Cite This Article

APA
Cozzi A, Sighieri C, Gazzano A, Nicol CJ, Baragli P. (2010). Post-conflict friendly reunion in a permanent group of horses (Equus caballus). Behav Processes, 85(2), 185-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2010.07.007

Publication

Behavioural processes
ISSN: 1872-8308
NlmUniqueID: 7703854
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 85
Issue: 2
Pages: 185-190

Researcher Affiliations

Cozzi, Alessandro
  • Phérosynthèse Research Institute Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology, Le Rieu Neuf, 84490 - Saint Saturnin Les Apt, France. acozzi@pherosynthese.com
Sighieri, Claudio
    Gazzano, Angelo
      Nicol, Christine J
        Baragli, Paolo

          MeSH Terms

          • Aggression / psychology
          • Aging / psychology
          • Animals
          • Behavior, Animal / physiology
          • Conflict, Psychological
          • Data Interpretation, Statistical
          • Female
          • Horses / physiology
          • Interpersonal Relations
          • Male
          • Play and Playthings / psychology
          • Sex Characteristics
          • Social Behavior
          • Species Specificity

          Citations

          This article has been cited 28 times.
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