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Home / Equine Research Bank / Anim Cogn / Sensory laterality in affiliative interactions in domestic h...
Animal cognition2018; 21(5); 631-637; doi: 10.1007/s10071-018-1196-9

Sensory laterality in affiliative interactions in domestic horses and ponies (Equus caballus).

Abstract: Many studies have been carried out into both motor and sensory laterality of horses in agonistic and stressful situations. Here we examine sensory laterality in affiliative interactions within four groups of domestic horses and ponies (N = 31), living in stable social groups, housed at a single complex close to Vienna, Austria, and demonstrate for the first time a significant population preference for the left side in affiliative approaches and interactions. No effects were observed for gender, rank, sociability, phenotype, group, or age. Our results suggest that right hemisphere specialization in horses is not limited to the processing of stressful or agonistic situations, but rather appears to be the norm for processing in all social interactions, as has been demonstrated in other species including chicks and a range of vertebrates. In domestic horses, hemispheric specialization for sensory input appears not to be based on a designation of positive versus negative, but more on the perceived need to respond quickly and appropriately in any given situation.
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Publication Date: 2018-06-09 PubMed ID: 29948296PubMed Central: PMC6097077DOI: 10.1007/s10071-018-1196-9Google 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.

This research article is about the study of sensory laterality in horses in non-stressful, friendly situations and it uncovers that horses generally prefer to use their left side in these types of social interactions, with no significant impact from factors like age or gender.

Research Objectives and Methodology

  • This research article primarily focused on investigating sensory laterality in horses during affiliative (non-antagonistic or friendly) interactions. Previous studies have generally concentrated on horses’ behavioural tendencies in stressful or agonistic (conflict or competition) situations.
  • This project looked at four different groups of domestic horses and ponies (total of 31 animals) that were housed in a single complex near Vienna, Austria. These horses and ponies were living in stable social groups, which facilitated easier observation of their social interactions.

Research Findings and Implications

  • The study found that there is a significant population preference for using the left side during affiliative approaches and interactions among horses. This suggests that the right hemisphere of the horse’s brain, which controls the left side of the body, is mainly used for processing these social interactions.
  • Interestingly, this preference for the left side was not influenced by factors typically seen as influencing behaviour, such as gender, social rank, how sociable the animal is, phenotype, group, or age.
  • These results imply that in horses, the right hemisphere is not just specialized for processing stressful or conflict situations, which previous research often has suggested. Instead, it appears to be the go-to hemisphere for processing all kinds of social interactions.
  • The results also suggest a new perspective in understanding the hemispheric specialization in animals. The authors propose that in domestic horses, the division of sensory input between hemispheres does not appear to be based on a simplistic designation of positive versus negative. Instead, it’s more likely based on the perceived need to respond quickly and appropriately in a situation.
  • These findings align with what has been found in other species, such as chicks and a range of vertebrates, where similar lateralized behaviors have been observed.

Cite This Article

APA
Farmer K, Krüger K, Byrne RW, Marr I. (2018). Sensory laterality in affiliative interactions in domestic horses and ponies (Equus caballus). Anim Cogn, 21(5), 631-637. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-018-1196-9

Publication

Animal cognition
ISSN: 1435-9456
NlmUniqueID: 9814573
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 5
Pages: 631-637

Researcher Affiliations

Farmer, Kate
  • School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St. Andrews, St. Mary's Quad, South Street, St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 9JP, UK. katefarmer@utanet.at.
Krüger, Konstanze
  • University of Regensburg, Zoology/Evolutionary Biology, Universitaetsstraße 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany.
  • Department Equine Economics, Faculty Agriculture, Economics and Management, Nuertingen-Geislingen University, Neckarsteige 6-10, 72622, Nürtingen, Germany.
Byrne, Richard W
  • School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St. Andrews, St. Mary's Quad, South Street, St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 9JP, UK.
Marr, Isabell
  • Department Equine Economics, Faculty Agriculture, Economics and Management, Nuertingen-Geislingen University, Neckarsteige 6-10, 72622, Nürtingen, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality
  • Horses / physiology
  • Male
  • Perception
  • Stress, Psychological

Conflict of Interest Statement

All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

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