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Home / Equine Research Bank / Naturwissenschaften / Snort acoustic structure codes for positive emotions in hors...
Die Naturwissenschaften2018; 105(9-10); 57; doi: 10.1007/s00114-018-1582-9

Snort acoustic structure codes for positive emotions in horses.

Abstract: While the vocal coding of human and animal internal states has been widely studied, the possible acoustic expression of "positive" emotions remains poorly known. Recent studies suggest that snorts (non-vocal sounds produced by the air expiration through the nostrils) appear to be reliable indicators of positive internal states in several ungulate species. Here, we hypothesised in horses that the acoustic structure of the snort could vary with the subjects' current emotional state. Indeed, a preliminary sound analysis of snorts let us suggest structure variations related to the presence of pulsations. We recorded snorts from 20 horses living in a riding center. Auditory playbacks run with 20 humans first confirmed the existence of two snort subtypes, i.e. one pulsed and one non-pulsed. Observations were then conducted to compare the distribution of these two subtypes according to the location (stall/pasture) of the signaller as a contextual determinant of its internal state and to its ears' position as a reflection of its emotional state. We found that both subtypes were preferentially observed in positive contexts, but that pulsed snorts were even more associated with highly appreciated situations (in pasture and with ears forward). This study is a step further in the identification of indicators of positive emotions in horses and more generally in the understanding of the acoustic emotions' coding.
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Publication Date: 2018-09-12 PubMed ID: 30291452DOI: 10.1007/s00114-018-1582-9Google 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.

The research paper explores the idea that variances in the acoustic structure of snorts, a non-vocal sound made by horses, can indicate their current emotional state. The researchers hypothesized that different types of snorts might be linked to positive emotions in horses.

Objective of the Research

  • The goal of the study was to investigate the potential acoustic expression of positive emotions in animals, particularly horses, through the structure and type of snorts they produce.
  • Previous studies have pointed out that snorts can be a reliable indicator of positive internal states in several hoofed animal species. This research sought to examine if the same applied to horses.

Methodology Used

  • Snorts were recorded from 20 horses living in a riding center. The preliminary analysis suggested structure variations linked to the presence of pulsations which were categorised into two snort types: pulsed and non-pulsed.
  • An auditory playback was played to 20 humans to confirm the existence of these two snort subtypes.
  • Observations were also made comparing the distribution of the two snort types in relation to two variables: the location of the horse (stall or pasture) which influences its internal state, and the position of its ears which reflects its emotional state.

Findings of the Study

  • The study found out that both snort subtypes (pulsed and non-pulsed) were associated with positive contexts. However, pulsed snorts were more strongly associated with highly positive situations—for instance, when the horse was in a pasture or had its ears forward.

Significance of the Research

  • This research is crucial in contributing to the identification of positive emotional indicators in horses.
  • It also aids in a better understanding of how acoustic coding of emotions works, not only in horses but also in other animals.

Cite This Article

APA
Stomp M, Leroux M, Cellier M, Henry S, Hausberger M, Lemasson A. (2018). Snort acoustic structure codes for positive emotions in horses. Naturwissenschaften, 105(9-10), 57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-018-1582-9

Publication

Die Naturwissenschaften
ISSN: 1432-1904
NlmUniqueID: 0400767
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 105
Issue: 9-10
Pages: 57

Researcher Affiliations

Stomp, Mathilde
  • CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie animale et humaine), Univ Rennes, Normandie Univ, UMR 6552, F-35380, Paimpont, France. mathilde.stomp@univ-rennes1.fr.
Leroux, Maël
  • CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie animale et humaine), Univ Rennes, Normandie Univ, UMR 6552, F-35380, Paimpont, France.
Cellier, Marjorie
  • CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie animale et humaine), Univ Rennes, Normandie Univ, UMR 6552, F-35380, Paimpont, France.
Henry, Séverine
  • CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie animale et humaine), Univ Rennes, Normandie Univ, UMR 6552, F-35380, Paimpont, France.
Hausberger, Martine
  • CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie animale et humaine), Univ Rennes, Normandie Univ, UMR 6552, F-35380, Paimpont, France.
Lemasson, Alban
  • CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie animale et humaine), Univ Rennes, Normandie Univ, UMR 6552, F-35380, Paimpont, France.

MeSH Terms

  • Acoustics
  • Animal Communication
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Emotions
  • Horses / physiology
  • Horses / psychology

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Janicka W, Wilk I, Próchniak T, Janczarek I. Can Sound Alone Act as a Virtual Barrier for Horses? A Preliminary Study.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 15;12(22).
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  2. Policht R, Kowalczyk A, Łukaszewicz E, Hart V. Hissing of geese: caller identity encoded in a non-vocal acoustic signal.. PeerJ 2020;8:e10197.
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