Evaluating the addition of positive reinforcement for learning a frightening task: a pilot study with horses.
Horse training often relies upon negative reinforcement (NR). This study tested the hypothesis that adding positive reinforcement (PR) to NR would enhance learning in horses (n = 34) being taught to walk over a tarp (novel/typically frightening task). Subjects were Arabians, and the same person handled all of them. This person handled half "traditionally" (NR only)--that is, halter/lead were pulled; when horse stepped forward, pressure was released; process repeated until criterion met (horse crossed the tarp with little/no obvious anxiety). The same person handled the other half traditionally--but with addition of PR < food + verbal praise > (NR + PR). Subjects "failed" the task if they refused to walk onto the tarp after 10 min. Nine horses failed; 6 of 9 failures were from NR only--no significant difference detected (p = .41). The study detected no difference in time to first crossing of the tarp (p = .30) or total time to achieve calmness criterion (p = .67). Overall, adding PR did not significantly enhance learning this task. However, there were practical implications--adding PR made the task safer/less fatiguing for the handler.
Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48854, USA. Heleski@msu.edu
Camie
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Heleski
Laura
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Bauson
Nora
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Bello
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000523:psychology*; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011897:Random Allocation; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012449:Safety; D013997:Time Factors