A Close Look at Equine Social Cognition: Working Horses and Their Responses to Familiar and Unfamiliar Humans
Abstract
Equine social cognition is a developing subject that investigates horses' cognitive ability to recognize and respond to human social indicators. This study examined working horses' behavioral responses to humans, whether they react to strangers, and whether these behaviors are linked to health or management-related welfare measures. The information was gathered through observational investigations and controlled tests, which ensured a variety of situations to detect subtle horse social reactions. This study was performed using SPSS, ANOVA to evaluate group differences, and Spearman tests to investigate any relationships between certain variables. In the walk-by and chin contact tests, horses showed indifference to human interaction and avoidance, respectively. When compared by test, horses' answers to the assessor differed from the owner's. Although some were highly significant, behavioral markers and descriptive and health-related factors exhibited low correlation coefficients. The horses' depressed attitudes and the existence of deep bodily lesions were shown to be most strongly correlated. According to the study, horses who have inflamed tendons and joints are more aggressive, and horses who are wearing shoes that are too small are avoidant or afraid. Along with displaying avoidance or fearfulness, older horses were to be numb to their owner's approach. Working horses' undesirable habits are associated with improper handling and husbandry techniques.
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