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Home / Equine Research Bank / Anim Cogn / Reinforcement as a mediator of the perception of humans by h...
Animal cognition2010; 13(5); 753-764; doi: 10.1007/s10071-010-0326-9

Reinforcement as a mediator of the perception of humans by horses (Equus caballus).

Abstract: A central question in the interspecific human/animal relationship is how domestic animals perceive humans as a significant element of their environment. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the use of positive or negative reinforcement in horse training may have consequences on the animals' perception of humans, as a positive, negative or neutral element. Two groups of ponies were trained to walk backwards in response to a vocal order using either positive or negative reinforcement. Heart rate monitors and behavioural observations were used to assess the animals' perception of humans on the short (just after training) and long (5 months later) terms. The results showed that the type of reinforcement had a major effect on the subsequent animals' perception of familiar and unfamiliar humans. Negative reinforcement was rapidly associated with an increased emotional state, as revealed by heart rate measurements and behavioural observations (head movements and ears laid back position). Its use led the ponies to seek less contact with humans. On the contrary, ponies trained with positive reinforcement showed an increased interest in humans and sought contact after training. This is especially remarkable as it was reached in a maximum of 5 sessions of 1 to 3 min (i.e. 5 to 15 min) and had lasting effects (visible after 5 months). Even learning was positively influenced by positive reinforcement. Overall, horses seem capable of associating humans to particular experiences and display extended long-term memory abilities.
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Publication Date: 2010-05-21 PubMed ID: 20490592DOI: 10.1007/s10071-010-0326-9Google 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 article suggests that horses perceive humans differently based on the type of reinforcement (positive or negative) used during training, affecting not only their immediate reactions but their long-term responses as well.

Objective of the Study

  • The main aim of the research was to investigate how domestic horses perceive humans based on the type of reinforcement used during training.
  • The hypothesis assumed that positive reinforcement would result in horses having a more favourable response towards humans compared to negative reinforcement.

Methodology of the Study

  • Two groups of ponies were trained to respond to a vocal command to walk backward using either positive reinforcement (rewards) or negative reinforcement (application of specific pressure until the command was obeyed).
  • The team used heart rate monitors and behavioural observations to assess the horses’ perception of humans.
  • The researchers looked at responses both in the short-term (immediately after training) and in the long-term (5 months after the training).

Results of the Study

  • The findings showed that the type of reinforcement used greatly influenced how the ponies perceived humans.
  • Negative reinforcement increased the ponies’ emotional state, as reflected in their heart rate and in behaviours such as the movement of their heads and ears.
  • Ponies trained using negative reinforcement tended to seek less human contact.
  • Conversely, ponies trained with positive reinforcement exhibited more interest in humans and sought more human contact after training, even after five months.
  • The research also found that learning was positively influenced by the use of positive reinforcement.

Conclusion of the Study

  • The researchers concluded that horses are capable of associating humans with particular experiences based on the type of reinforcement used during their training.
  • Additionally, horses demonstrated an extended long-term memory ability, indicating that their reactions to humans were not only immediate but persist over time.

Cite This Article

APA
Sankey C, Richard-Yris MA, Henry S, Fureix C, Nassur F, Hausberger M. (2010). Reinforcement as a mediator of the perception of humans by horses (Equus caballus). Anim Cogn, 13(5), 753-764. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-010-0326-9

Publication

Animal cognition
ISSN: 1435-9456
NlmUniqueID: 9814573
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 5
Pages: 753-764

Researcher Affiliations

Sankey, Carol
  • UMR CNRS, Université de Rennes, Paimpont, France. carol.sankey@univ-rennes1.fr
Richard-Yris, Marie-Annick
    Henry, Séverine
      Fureix, Carole
        Nassur, Fouad
          Hausberger, Martine

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Behavior, Animal / physiology
            • Female
            • Heart Rate
            • Horses / physiology
            • Horses / psychology
            • Human-Animal Bond
            • Humans
            • Male
            • Perception / physiology
            • Recognition, Psychology / physiology
            • Reinforcement, Psychology

            Citations

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