Cognitive differences in horses performing locomotor versus oral stereotypic behaviour

Roberts, Kirsty; Andrew, Hemmings; Moore-Colyer, Meriel; Catherine, Hale

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2015.04.015

Cited by 37 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…This increased switching in the crib-biting group provides us with useful evidence regarding the aetiology of equine oral stereotypy and is in agreement with the finding of Roberts et al (2015) who found that a group of 8 crib biting horses performed significantly more switching behaviours that 8 normal horses. These results lend weight to the notion of increased transmission of the neurotransmitter dopamine (an important pleasure neurotransmitter) in this group of horses.…”

Section: Dietsupporting

confidence: 78%

“…This is supported by McGreevy et al (1995) who reported a positive association between stereotypic behaviour in Thoroughbreds when fed less than 6.8 kg of fibre/day. Furthermore, the feeding of concentrates after weaning (a feeding regimen often associated with low forage provision) led to a 4-fold increase in the initial development of crib-biting (Waters et al, 2002), and has also been shown to elicit post-development increases in crib-biting activity (Gillham et al, 1994 feed induced elevations have been attributed to neurotransmission of dopamine (Roberts et al, 2015), and more complex fluctuations in neuro-active molecules such as leptin and Ghrelin (Hemmann et al, 2013). Forage on the other hand, elicits a depression in crib-biting intensity (Hemmings and Hale, 2013) although the precise schedule of forage provision does not impact upon locomotor activity (stereotypic or otherwise) in a 24 h period (Piccione et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A preliminary investigation into the effect of ad libitum or restricted hay with or without Horslyx on the intake and switching behaviour of normal and crib biting horses

2016

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a b s t r a c tIn an attempt to reduce'fibre-belly' and prevent obesity in horses many owners restrict access to hay in the stable. Such restrictions can lead to digestive disturbances and promote the development of stereotypic behaviours.The objectives of this experiment were to determine if ad libitum or restricted forage with or without the molasses based lick, Horslyx, would alter the behaviour in a group of normal and confirmed stereotypic horses.Two Randomised Block Design trials were conducted simultaneously. Group A consisted of 3 cribbiters and 1 normal horse, while group B contained 4 non-stereotypic (normal) horses. Horses were individually housed in 10 Â 12 foot boxes and bedded on dust-extracted shavings with water available ad libitum. Diets were ad libitum hay, ad libitum hayþHorslyx, restricted hay, and restricted hayþ Horslyx. For two days of each collection period every horse was individually observed, and an ethogram completed for ½ h 3x/day¼ 6 observation sessions for each horse. Switching behaviour and data for hay and lick intakes were averaged across the 5 days of collection and subjected to Friedman's non-parametric ANOVA with horse, diet and behaviour as fixed factors.Ad libitum or restricted forage or the presence of a Horslyx had no significant impact on horse behaviour. Crib-biting horses tended to consume less hay 8.81 ( 73.60) kg/d and more Horslyx 1.10 ( 70.38) kg/d compared with normal horses who consumed more hay at 11.72 ( 74.59) kg/d and less Horslyx at 1.01 ( 7 0.45) kg/d respectively, but there was no significant differences between the groups. Crib-biting horses switched behaviour (eating, licking, cribbing, drinking, and looking over the door resting) an average of 40 times more during the 30 min observation sessions than normal horses. Cribbiting horses also licked the Horslyx 1.5 times more than normal horses.These results confirmed that stereotypic animals are addicted to the reward of the dopamine release, achieved by the action of crib biting, and are thus not influenced by ad libitum forage or access to a stable lick. The 4 fold increase in switching behaviour and additional licking by the crib-biting horses suggests an increased transmission of the neurotransmitter dopamine and in this regard licking may promote coping in certain environmental circumstances.The results of this study suggest that providing a lick in the stable for crib-biting horses gives them another activity to the normal forage consumption and resting actions and may provide another mechanism for dopamine release and thus enhance their 'coping' strategy when confined in stables.

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Section: Dietsupporting

confidence: 78%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A preliminary investigation into the effect of ad libitum or restricted hay with or without Horslyx on the intake and switching behaviour of normal and crib biting horses

2016

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“…Previous research has demonstrated that individuals exhibiting stereotypic behaviours tend to have stunted learning and problem solving abilities and that the type of stereotypy a horse engages in (such as weaving or cribbing) may influence their behaviour on certain cognitive tasks (Kirsty et al, 2015). Hausberger et al (2007) found that horses with stereotypic behaviours, such as weaving, cribbing, head shaking, and tongue play, tend to take longer to learn and complete basic tasks, such as pushing open a chest for a food reward, when compared to non-stereotypic horses.…”

Section: The Relationship Between Horse Cognition Training and Welfarementioning

confidence: 99%

Cognition and learning in horses (Equus caballus): What we know and why we should ask more

Brubaker

Udell

2016

Behavioural Processes

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“…data). Thus, all studies (Hemmings et al, 2007;Hausberger et al, 2007a;Kirsty et al, 2015;Parker et al, 2008Parker et al, , 2009 until now have demonstrated learning impairments in stereotypic horses. Only one recent study (Briefer Freymond et al, 2019) seems to contradict this finding: using a reversal learning task, the authors did not find any difference in learning performance between crib-biters and nonstereotypic horses (as identified by owners).…”

Section: Animal-based Indicators and Effects Of A Compromised Welfare State On Cognitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mutual interactions between cognition and welfare: The horse as an animal model

Hausberger

Stomp

Sankey

et al. 2019

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

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 Individual characteristics such as temperament or stereotypies influence learning  Vertebral problems, depression and anemia lower attentional and sensory engagement  Type of training/reinforcement influences cognition, welfare and motivation to work  Brain lateralization and EEG are promising tools for measuring cognition and welfare  Evolution of brain functions and life conditions are influential in shaping cognition ABSTRACTResearch in cognitive psychology has repeatedly shown how much cognition and emotions are mutually related to one another. Psychological disorders are associated with cognitive (attention, memory and judgment) biases and chronic pain may affect attention, learning or memory. Laboratory studies have provided useful insights about the processes involved but observations about spontaneous animal models, living in different stress/welfare conditions may help understand further how cognition and welfare are interrelated in the « real world ».Domestic horses constitute such a model as they live in a variety of conditions that impact J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f 2 differently their welfare state. In the present review, we try and provide an overview of the scientific literature on cognition and welfare of domestic horses and their interrelationship. We address how emotions and welfare may affect cognitive processes in horses and impact the way they perceive their environment (including work). We propose new methods for assessing the relationship between welfare and cognition and open up the discussion on the evolution of the brain and the part domestication may have played.

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Cognitive differences in horses performing locomotor versus oral stereotypic behaviour

Cited by 37 publications

References 33 publications

A preliminary investigation into the effect of ad libitum or restricted hay with or without Horslyx on the intake and switching behaviour of normal and crib biting horses

A preliminary investigation into the effect of ad libitum or restricted hay with or without Horslyx on the intake and switching behaviour of normal and crib biting horses

Cognition and learning in horses (Equus caballus): What we know and why we should ask more

Mutual interactions between cognition and welfare: The horse as an animal model

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