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The Memory Abilities of the Elderly Horse
Syria Cellai1, Angelo Gazzano1, Lucia Casini1
1Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|November 9, 2024
Summary
Senior horses demonstrate associative learning and memory retention over 10 days. However, older horses exhibit slower recall times compared to younger adult horses in memory tasks.
Area of Science:
- Equine cognition
- Animal behavior
- Aging research
Background:
- Limited studies exist on equine memory decline with aging.
- Understanding cognitive function in senior horses is crucial for welfare and training.
- Aging impacts memory and learning in various species, including horses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare learning and memory capabilities in adult and senior horses.
- To assess short-term and long-term memory retention in different age groups of horses.
- To investigate the effects of aging on cognitive performance in equines.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 21 adult (5-15 years) and 23 senior (16+ years) horses participated.
- Horses underwent the Target Touch Test, a behavioral learning and memory assessment.
- The test was administered at baseline (T1) and after a 10-day interval (T10), with three repetitions each.
Main Results:
- No significant cognitive differences were observed between adult and senior horses at T1.
- A significant difference emerged at T10, with senior horses showing slower test completion times (p < 0.001).
- While both groups retained learned information, senior horses required more time for recall.
Conclusions:
- Senior horses are capable of associative learning and retaining this memory for at least 10 days.
- Aging in horses is associated with a decline in the speed of memory recall.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering age-related cognitive changes in equine management and training.
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