HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Mader, D. R. Articles by Price, E. O. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Mader, D. R. Articles by Price, E. O.

Discrimination Learning in Horses: Effects of Breed, Age and Social Dominance¹

University of California², Davis 95616

Abstract

The discrimination learning ability of Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds was compared by means of visual cues in a three-choice test with food as a reward. Quarter Horses learned significantly faster than Thoroughbreds, and learning progressed more rapidly for both breeds in a second discrimination task. Significant negative correlations were observed between age and rate of learning. Quarter Horses tended to be less reactive than Thoroughbreds, but individual emotional reactivity ratings and learning scores were not correlated. No correlation was found between social dominance and learning scores. Learning studies with horses may provide a better understanding of the behavioral traits that influence trainability in this species.

¹ The authors would like to acknowledge the technical assistance of R. Backus, H. Biedabach, E. Jones, C. Lawrence, L. Renshaw, T. Sheppard, A. Stoner, E. Strauss, Ken Taylor, Kit Taylor, M. Thurman, C. Tom and L. Tribbitt.

² Dept. of Anim. Sci.