Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
07:31
Development of an in vitro model system for studying the interaction of Equus caballus IgE with its high-affinity receptor FcεRI
Published on: November 1, 2014
Could work be a source of behavioural disorders? A study in horses
Martine Hausberger1, Emmanuel Gautier, Véronique Biquand
1Université de Rennes 1, UMR 6552 Ethologie Animale et Humaine, Unité Mixte de Recherche CNRS, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, France. martine.hausberger@univ-rennes1.fr
Plos One
|October 29, 2009
Summary
Work-related stress in horses can lead to abnormal repetitive behaviors, known as stereotypies. The type of work significantly influences the prevalence and nature of these stress-induced behaviors observed outside of work hours.
Area of Science:
- Animal behavior and welfare
- Equine ethology
- Occupational health in animals
Background:
- Work-related stress in humans can cause lasting psychological issues.
- Horses, like humans, experience work stressors including physical demands and rider-related conflicts.
- Abnormal repetitive behaviors (stereotypies) are observed in horses under adverse conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of different types of work on the occurrence and nature of stereotypic behaviors in horses.
- To explore the relationship between work stressors and the emergence of abnormal behaviors in horses.
- To provide the first evidence of work stressors influencing abnormal behaviors in an animal species.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of 76 horses of the same breed and sex.
- Horses were housed in identical conditions with 23 hours in boxes and 1 hour of work daily.
- Prevalence and types of stereotypic behaviors were recorded in the horses' boxes.
Main Results:
- The prevalence and types of stereotypies were strongly dependent on the type of work performed by the horses.
- Observed stereotypies primarily included mouth movements and head tossing/nodding.
- Work constraints, even for one hour daily, influenced behavior during the 23 hours spent in the box.
Conclusions:
- Work-related stressors can significantly contribute to the development of chronic abnormal behaviors in horses.
- This study highlights the profound impact of work situations on the daily lives and welfare of horses.
- Findings suggest a need to consider occupational stressors in animal welfare assessments.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Operant Conditioning Intervention
Operant conditioning serves as a foundational principle in therapeutic interventions aimed at modifying maladaptive behaviors. Central to this approach is the notion that behaviors, both adaptive and maladaptive, are learned through reinforcement. By analyzing the environmental factors that reinforce problematic behaviors, clinicians can design interventions to weaken these reinforcements and replace maladaptive behaviors with healthier alternatives.
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
01:21Behavior Modification
Behavioral approaches have often been criticized for ignoring mental processes and focusing solely on observable behavior. However, these approaches provide an optimistic perspective for individuals seeking to change their behaviors. Rather than concentrating on intrinsic personality traits, behavioral approaches suggest that even longstanding habits can be modified by changing the reward contingencies that maintain them.
A real-world application of operant conditioning principles is applied...
A real-world application of operant conditioning principles is applied...
01:28Behaviorism
The field of behaviorism was pioneered by figures such as Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, and B.F. Skinner fundamentally shifted the focus of psychology to the observable and controllable aspects of human and animal behavior. This shift marked a critical evolution in the discipline, emphasizing scientific rigor and experimental methodology.
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...