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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / The Memory Abilities of the Elderly Horse.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2024; 14(21); 3073; doi: 10.3390/ani14213073

The Memory Abilities of the Elderly Horse.

Abstract: Studies on short- and long-term memory and their decline with aging in horses are still limited. This research aimed to assess the learning and short- and long-term memory abilities of adult and senior horses. A total of 21 adult horses (5-15 years) and 23 senior horses (16 years and older) were subjected to a behavioral test (Target Touch Test), which was repeated three times each for the initial test (T1) and again after 10 days (T10). Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between adult and senior horses in the three tests conducted at T1. However, a significant difference was observed at T10 (χ = 42.1; < 0.001). In fact, senior horses took longer to complete the test than adults. A significant difference between males and females, adults and seniors, at T1 and T10 (χ = 56.3; < 0.001) was found, but no difference between male and female adult and senior horses in completing the three single tests at T1 and T10 was evidenced. In conclusion, even senior horses are capable of associative learning, maintaining the memory of this learning even after 10 days. However, they show slower recovery times for recalling memorized information compared to animals under 16 years of age.
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Publication Date: 2024-10-25 PubMed ID: 39518796PubMed Central: PMC11545349DOI: 10.3390/ani14213073Google 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.

The research study assessed memory abilities in adult and senior horses, discovering that while both age groups are capable of learning and retaining information, older horses take more time to recall the learned information.

Objective of the Research

  • This study aimed to evaluate how age affects learning ability and both short-term and long-term memory in horses. The main focus was the difference in memory abilities between adult horses (defined as horses aged 5-15 years) and senior horses (those aged 16 years and over).

Methodology

  • A total of 44 horses—21 adults and 23 seniors—participated in the study.
  • The horses were subjected to a behavioural test known as the Target Touch Test. This test was carried out three times initially (T1) and then repeated after 10 days (T10).
  • The horses’ results on these tests were then statistically analyzed to determine any differences in performance between the two age groups and the different genders.

Key Findings

  • There was no significant difference in test performance between adult and senior horses during the initial tests (T1). But it was observed that in the test after 10 days (T10), senior horses took longer time to complete the test compared to the adults.
  • Among genders, significant differences were found between males and females, both adult and senior, at both T1 and T10, although no differences were found when comparing performance on individual tests among male and female horses within the adult and senior age groups.
  • The study concluded that horses, regardless of their age, are capable of associative learning and they can retain the memory of it even after 10 days. But, it takes more time for senior horses to recall the memorized information compared to the animals aged below 16.

Conclusion

  • From the results, it becomes evident that memory abilities in horses do fade with age—although they retain the capacity to learn and remember instruction, older horses are slower to recall information. This demonstrates that the cognitive abilities of horses, much like those of humans, are affected by the aging process.

Cite This Article

APA
(2024). The Memory Abilities of the Elderly Horse. Animals (Basel), 14(21), 3073. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14213073

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 21
PII: 3073

Researcher Affiliations

Grant Funding

  • PRA_2022_8 / University of Pisa

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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