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Behaviour of horses in changing environment
PÁNOVÁ, Kateřina
With the sport use of horses are increasing demands on their capacity for learning and mental abilities and therefore the ability to adapt and learn is very important. In this study, the ability to learn was studied on seven horses of different age and breed with maze method. Horses dealt with five mazes. At the end of the maze, the horses were rewarded with a treat. Two horses were taken before the end of the study so they have not participated in fifth maze. Instead of them, another horse was provided as a control horse. The exact time and response (vocalization, shyness,...) of each horse was recorded. Reactivity was assessed on the scale 0 ? non-reactive, 1 - very little reactive, 2 - less reactive 3 - reactive, 4 - very reactive. Each task was performed in three consecutive days. There was a 14-day period between each task. There was proven, that some individuals have managed to learn during progress of each task and improved their mental performance. On the other hand, some individuals have not shown the ability to learn. The results show that the ability to learn is an individual process. The time spent in the maze also depends on surrounding disturbing factors.
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