Researchers Study Escape and Avoidance in Horse Training

Research on escape and avoidance can help trainers improve techniques to benefit horse welfare.
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Editor’s note: This article is part of TheHorse.com’s ongoing coverage of topics presented at the 2012 International Society of Equitation Science conference, held July 18-20 in Edinburgh, Scotland.


We might be hearing more and more about "negative reinforcement," "positive reinforcement," and other trendy terms in horse training, but according to an Australian equitation scientist, we would also do well to apply more frequently researched psychological terms–specifically, "escape and avoidance"–because that’s exactly what much of horse training is.

"There are literally thousands of studies out there on escape and avoidance, on everything from fish to humans and everything in between–including horses," said Cathrynne Henshall, MSc candidate and professional trainer, under the supervision of Paul McGreevy, PhD, both researchers at the University of Sydney. Henshall presented research on the topic at the 8th International Society for Equitation Science (ISES) conference, held July 18-20 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

A common kind of escape-and-avoidance study uses electric shocks on laboratory animals, who at first escape the shock by running away and then learn how to avoid it altogether, Henshall said. "Subjects learn to recognize the cues which predict the onset of an aversive experience," she said during her presentation

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Passionate about horses and science from the time she was riding her first Shetland Pony in Texas, Christa Lesté-Lasserre writes about scientific research that contributes to a better understanding of all equids. After undergrad studies in science, journalism, and literature, she received a master’s degree in creative writing. Now based in France, she aims to present the most fascinating aspect of equine science: the story it creates. Follow Lesté-Lasserre on Twitter @christalestelas.

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