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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(15); 1876; doi: 10.3390/ani12151876

Tool Use in Horses.

Abstract: Tool use has not yet been confirmed in horses, mules or donkeys. As this subject is difficult to research with conventional methods, we used a crowdsourcing approach to gather data. We contacted equid owners and carers and asked them to report and video examples of "unusual" behaviour via a dedicated website. We also searched YouTube and Facebook for videos of equids showing tool use. From 635 reports, including 1014 behaviours, we found 20 cases of tool use, 13 of which were unambiguous in that it was clear that the behaviour was not trained, caused by reduced welfare, incidental or accidental. We then assessed (a) the effect of management conditions on tool use and (b) whether the animals used tools alone, or socially, involving other equids or humans. We found that management restrictions were associated with corresponding tool use in 12 of the 13 cases ( = 0.01), e.g., equids using sticks to scrape hay within reach when feed was restricted. Furthermore, 8 of the 13 cases involved other equids or humans, such as horses using brushes to groom others. The most frequent tool use was for foraging, with seven examples, tool use for social purposes was seen in four cases, and there was just one case of tool use for escape. There was just one case of tool use for comfort, and in this instance, there were no management restrictions. Equids therefore can develop tool use, especially when management conditions are restricted, but it is a rare occurrence.
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Publication Date: 2022-07-22 PubMed ID: 35892526PubMed Central: PMC9331065DOI: 10.3390/ani12151876Google 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 studies evidence of tool use in equids, such as horses, mules, and donkeys. From a collection of reported behaviors and videos, the researchers identified a few cases where these animals appear to use tools, mostly in response to limited resources.

Overview of Research and Methodology

  • The researchers used an innovative approach – crowdsourcing – to gather data for their study since tool use in equids is a challenging area to study with conventional methods.
  • Equid owners and carers were contacted and asked to report “unusual” behaviors of their animals through a dedicated website. The researchers then looked for instances of tool use in these behaviors. Additionally, online platforms like YouTube and Facebook were scoured for relevant videos.

Findings from the Research

  • Out of 635 reports and 1014 behaviors, the researchers found 20 cases of tool use. Among these, 13 cases were unambiguous meaning they were clear that these tool uses were neither trained nor accidentally caused.
  • Then, these unique cases were examined to find out the effect of management conditions on tool use. The authors also studied whether the equids used the tools alone or in social contexts involving other equids or humans.
  • Most cases of tool use were attributed to response to management restrictions. For example, equids used sticks to bring hay within their reach when their feed was restricted.

Nature of Tool Use

  • Seven cases of tool use were for foraging purposes, four were for social purposes, and one was for escape.
  • Eight out of thirteen cases involved either other equids or humans. An example includes horses using brushes to groom others.
  • There was only one instance of tool use for comfort, where there were no management restrictions involved. It suggests that tool use for comfort might not necessarily stem from restricted conditions.

Conclusions of the Study

  • The research concludes that equids do demonstrate tool usage, mainly in response to resource restrictions. However, it’s a rare occurrence, pointing out the scope for future, in-depth research in this field.

Cite This Article

APA
Krueger K, Trager L, Farmer K, Byrne R. (2022). Tool Use in Horses. Animals (Basel), 12(15), 1876. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12151876

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 15
PII: 1876

Researcher Affiliations

Krueger, Konstanze
  • Department Zoology/Evolutionary Biology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
  • Department Equine Economics, Faculty Agriculture, Economics and Management, Nuertingen-Geislingen University, Neckarsteige 6-10, 72622 Nürtingen, Germany.
Trager, Laureen
  • Department Equine Economics, Faculty Agriculture, Economics and Management, Nuertingen-Geislingen University, Neckarsteige 6-10, 72622 Nürtingen, Germany.
  • Department of Animal Welfare, Ethology, Animal Hygiene and Animal Husbandry, Veterinarian Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Veterinärstr. 13/R, 80539 München, Germany.
Farmer, Kate
  • Centre for Social Learning & Cognitive Evolution, School of Psychology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9JP, Scotland, UK.
Byrne, Richard
  • Centre for Social Learning & Cognitive Evolution, School of Psychology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9JP, Scotland, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

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