Training young horses to social separation: effect of a companion horse on training efficiency.

摘要: Summary Reasons for performing study: The intensity with which a horse responds to separation from its group and subsequently being alone is relevant both handler safety. Identification of training methods that may reduce responses would be useful in practice. Objectives: To investigate whether the initial presence familiar companion modifies group, lowers stress levels (as measured by heart rate) increases efficiency. Hypothesis: Habituation proceeds more quickly if first trained companion, rate lower when alone, compared control horses individually start. Methods: Young mares (n = 32), kept groups 4 were exposed social separation: 2 singly (S1, n 16) remaining (P2) then (P1). comprised 3 steps whereby distance was gradually increased. final learning criterion met fed calmly inside test arena (Step 3). Horses pair had succeed Step together before they repeated alone. Feeding behaviour recorded. Results: There no significant differences between S1 P1 horses, indicating pair-training did not horses. However, significantly pairs same (P1). Conclusions potential relevance: It efficient habituate naive young initially partner as these appear have relearn situation switching individual training.