Test of four hypotheses to explain the function of overmarking in foals of four equid species

Pluháček, Jan; Tučková, Vladimíra; King, Sarah R. B.; Šárová, Radka

doi:10.1007/s10071-019-01239-4

Cited by 9 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The underlying reason for the different results could be the social nature of the odors used by Hothersall et al (2010) and the complex, non-social odors used in this study. Due to social odors likely playing a role in sexual behavior, age differences might be more pronounced and biologically relevant in this context compared with non-social odors ( Pluháèek et al, 2019 ). The response found in the young horses are potentially more ‘pure’ as individuals are affected by their environment throughout their lives, and hence older horses may learn to associate certain situations and emotions with an odor ( Salesse and Dormont, 2017 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Horse odor exploration behavior is influenced by pregnancy and age

Rørvang

Ničová

Yngvesson

2022

Front. Behav. Neurosci.

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In spite of a highly developed olfactory apparatus of horses, implying a high adaptive value, research on equine olfaction is sparse. Our limited knowledge on equine olfaction poses a risk that horse behavior does not match human expectations, as horses might react fearful when exposed to certain odors, which humans do not consider as frightening. The benefit of acquiring more knowledge of equine olfaction is therefore twofold; (1) it can aid the understanding of horse behavior and hence reduce the risk of dangerous situations, and (2) there may be unexplored potential of using odors in several practical situations where humans interact with horses. This study investigated behavior and olfactory sensitivity of 35 Icelandic horses who were presented with four odors: peppermint, orange, lavender and cedar wood in a Habituation/Dishabituation paradigm. The response variables were sniffing duration per presentation and behavioral reaction (licking, biting, snorting, and backing), and data were analyzed for potential effects of age, sex and pregnancy. Results showed that habituation occurred between successive odor presentations (1st vs. 2nd and 2nd vs. 3rd presentations: P < 0.001), and dishabituation occurred when a new odor was presented (1st vs. 3rd presentations: P < 0.001). Horses were thus able to detect and distinguish between all four odors, but expressed significantly longer sniffing duration when exposed to peppermint (peppermint vs. orange, lavender and cedar wood: P < 0.001). More horses expressed licking when presented to peppermint compared to cedar wood and lavender (P = 0.0068). Pregnant mares sniffed odors less than non-pregnant mares (P = 0.030), young horses (age 0-5 years) sniffed cedar wood for longer than old horses (P = 0.030), whereas sex had no effect (P > 0.050). The results show that horses’ odor exploration behavior and interest in odors varies with age and pregnancy and that horses naïve to the taste of a substrate, may be able to link smell with taste, which has not been described before. These results can aid our understanding of horses’ behavioral reactions to odors, and in the future, it may be possible to relate these to the physiology and health of horses.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Horse odor exploration behavior is influenced by pregnancy and age

Rørvang

Ničová

Yngvesson

2022

Front. Behav. Neurosci.

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“…The underlying reason for the different results could be the social nature of the odours used by Hothersall et al 2 and the complex, non-social odours used in this study. Due to social odours likely playing a role in sexual behaviour, age differences might be more pronounced and biologically relevant in this context compared with non-social odours 53 . The response found in the young horses are potentially more 'pure' as individuals are affected by their environment throughout their lives, and hence older horses may learn to associate certain situations and emotions with an odour 54 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Testing olfaction in equids: Age and gestational stage affects olfactory interest

Rørvang¹,

Ničová²,

Yngvesson³

2021

Preprint

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In spite of the highly developed olfactory apparatus of horses, implying a high adaptive value, research on equine olfaction is sparse. Our limited knowledge poses a risk that horse behaviour does not match human expectations. The benefit of acquiring more knowledge of equine olfaction is therefore twofold; 1) it can aid the understanding of horse behaviour and hence reduce the risk of dangerous situations, and 2) there may be unexploited potential of using odours in several practical situations where humans interact with horses. This study investigated olfactory abilities of, 35 Icelandic, horses who were presented to four odours: peppermint, orange, lavender and cedarwood. The response variables were sniffing duration per presentation and behavioural reaction (licking, biting, snorting, and backing). Results showed horses were able to detect and distinguish between all four odours and showed increased interest (significantly longer sniffing duration) for peppermint. More horses expressed licking behaviour when presented to peppermint compared to cedarwood and lavender. Young horses sniffed cedarwood for longer than old horses, and pregnant mares sniffed lavender less than non-pregnant mares. In conclusion, the test paradigm seemed meaningful for horses, and olfactory interest of horses varied with age and gestational status but not sex.

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