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Discussion on Research Summary: Reducing Fear Reactions in Foals
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Oct 4, 2015 - 10:50 am:
While the results of this research seem self evident perhaps we do not pursue this goal actively enough. Note that the mare needs to be habituated first. Put flashy, noisy, objects in the pasture with the young foals. Perhaps placing the foal pasture next to a road might help with riding along a road.
DrO
Anim Cogn. 2015 Sep 22.
Early-life object exposure with a habituated mother reduces fear reactions in foals.
Christensen JW1.
Abstract
Fear reactions in horses are a major cause of horse-human accidents, and identification of effective pathways for reduction in fearfulness can help decreasing the frequency of accidents. For a young mammal, the mother is one of the most salient aspects of its environment, and she can have a strong influence on her offspring's behaviour. This study investigated whether fearfulness in foals can be reduced through weekly exposure to usually frightening objects with a habituated mother during the first 8 weeks of life. Prior to foaling, mares (N = 22) were habituated to five initially fear-eliciting situations, including exposure to novel stationary and moving objects. At birth, the foals were randomly assigned to either a Demonstration group (N = 11) or a Control group (N = 11). Demonstration mares demonstrated habituation towards the objects to their foals once per week in weeks 1-8 post-partum. Control mares were inside the empty test arena with their foals for the same amount of time. The foals were tested at 8 weeks and 5 months of age in four standardised fear tests. Demonstration foals showed significantly reduced fear responses (behaviour and heart rate) and increased exploratory behaviour at both 8 weeks and 5 months of age. The effect was likely achieved through a combination of maternal transmission and individual learning. It is concluded that fearfulness in foals may be reduced through exposure to frightening objects together with their habituated mother during the first 8 weeks of life.
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