Throughout human history, countless relationships have formed between humans and animals. However, a recent study from France reveals that horses, when treated well, can become humanity’s most loyal and enduring friends. This fascinating research was published in the journal Animal Behavior.
Training and testing horses
The study was conducted by Carol Sankey, an animal behaviorist at the University of Rennes in France, and her colleagues. They selected 20 Anglo-Arab and three French riding horses as their research subjects. The aim was to test their understanding and memory of a trainer’s instructions over time.
A female horse trainer completed the training program and combined basic training with medical care, including 41 steps. For instance, upon hearing the command “don’t move,” the animal must remain still. When the trainer used a thermometer to check their temperature, they were expected to cooperate.
They were rewarded with food for correctly following commands. Post-reward, they displayed positive behaviors toward the trainer, like sniffing and licking. This wasn’t just because they wanted more food, but to show affection toward the trainer.
Eight months after the training program, the horses rewarded with food showed more initiative when they met the female trainer again. They also accepted new trainers, indicating they had developed a positive impression of humans.
Loyalty and memory
The research findings suggest that regarding positive reinforcement education, horses are no different from humans. They learn and remember better in a positive environment. The researchers wrote: “Horses that have not undergone reinforcement training show four to six times more negative behavior, such as biting, kicking, or leaning on researchers.”
The researchers found that horses understand more human language than previously thought and have excellent memory. They can remember human friends after separation and complex instructions for up to 10 years or even longer.
The researchers believe that the relationship between horses and humans is essentially an extension of wild animal behavior because they value their “friends and family” and are willing to interact with new friends who pose no threat. “Horses maintain long-term relationships with individual members of their group,” Sankey said, “but during mixed grazing, they can also establish friendly relationships with animals from other species.”
Training results
People often use similar methods to train dogs, but the training results with horses seem more pronounced. Sankey and her colleagues pointed out that they understand and remember more human language than dogs. Due to their unique hearing range, they are more sensitive to human voices. The researchers suggest that trainers can use more verbal commands during training.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when treated with kindness and respect, horses can form deep, long-lasting bonds with humans. Their ability to understand and remember complex commands, sensitivity to human voices, and loyalty make them remarkable animals. As we continue to explore and understand these relationships, we learn more about these fantastic creatures and ourselves.
