Arap Taylarında Yaşın ve Ana Yanında Bulunmanın At-İnsan Etkileşimi ve Öğrenmeye Etkisi

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 18 Sayı: 4, 462 - 468, 24.12.2025

Sibel Danışan , Özlem Gücüyener Hacan

Öz

At-insan iletişimi, temasın biçimi ve zamanlamasıyla şekillenen güçlü ve sürdürülebilir pozitif etkileşimlere dayanmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, Eskişehir’in Mahmudiye İlçesi’ndeki özel bir harada barındırılan 30 Arap tayında yaş ve ana yanında bulunma durumunun insan etkileşimi ve öğrenme davranışlarına etkisi incelenmiştir. Taylar; 0–6 aylık 16 baş ana yanındaki ve 7–12 aylık 14 baş anadan ayrı tay olmak üzere iki gruba ayrılmıştır. Tayların insana karşı davranışsal tepkileri Pasif İnsana Karşı Reaksiyon Testi ile değerlendirilmiş; öğrenme teorisi çerçevesinde edimsel koşullanmayı temel alan Clicker Eğitimi uygulanmıştır. Agonistik davranışlar ise Agonistik At Etogramı ile kaydedilmiştir. Pasif insana karşı reaksiyon testinde, anadan ayrı taylarda insana temas oranı (% 78,57), ana yanındaki taylara (% 56,25) göre daha yüksek bulunmuş, yaklaşma mesafesi ve süresi daha kısa, etogram skorları ise daha yüksek gözlenmiştir. Clicker eğitiminde anadan ayrı taylar hedef çubuğuna daha hızlı ve sık temas etmiştir. Ana yanındaki taylarda ise agonistik davranışlar daha düşük seviyede gerçekleşmiştir. Sonuç olarak, bulgular erken yaşta ve ana yanında bulunmanın insana karşı tedbirli davranışları artırırken, anadan ayrılmanın merak davranışı ve öğrenme performansını desteklediğini göstermektedir. Clicker eğitimine verilen yanıt, anadan ayrılma durumu, merak davranışı ve pozitif pekiştireç deneyimi ile yakından ilişkilidir. Sonraki çalışmalarda daha geniş örneklem, farklı ırklar ve ana mizacının değerlendirilmesi önerilmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Davranış testleri , Clicker eğitimi , Tay , At davranışları , Öğrenme

Etik Beyan

Bu çalışma için etik kurul onayı Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi Hayvan Deneyleri Yerel Etik Kurulu'ndan (Tarih: 27.11.2020, Sayı: 822/2020) alınmıştır.

Effects of Age and Maternal Presence on Horse–Human Interaction and Learning in Arabian Foals

Öz

Horse-human communication relies on strong and sustainable positive interactions shaped by the form and timing of contact. This study examined the effects of age and dam presence on horse-human interaction and learning behaviours in 30 Arabian foals at a farm in Mahmudiye district in Eskişehir. The foals were divided into two groups: 16 foals aged 0–6 months that were kept with the dam, and 14 foals aged 7–12 months that were separated from the dam. Behavioural responses of the foals toward humans were evaluated using the Reactivity to Passive Human Test, and learning ability was assessed through Clicker Training based on operant conditioning principles. Agonistic behaviours were recorded using the Equid Agonistic Ethogram. In the passive human test, the rate of human contact was found to be higher in separated foals (78.57%) than in foals kept with their dam (56.25%), with shorter approach distances and durations, as well as higher ethogram scores. In clicker training, separated foals touched the target stick faster and more frequently. Agonistic behaviours were observed to a lesser extent in foals kept with the dam. In conclusion, the results suggest that the early age and the maternal presence increase cautious behaviour toward humans, while separation from mother supports curiosity behaviour and learning performance. Future studies are recommended to include a larger number of samples, different breeds, and to assess maternal temperament.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Behavioural tests , Clicker training , Foal , Horse behaviours , Learning

Etik Beyan

Ethics committee approval for this study was received from Eskişehir Osmangazi University Animal Experiments Local Ethics Board (Date: 27.11.2020, Number: 822/2020)

Kaynakça

• Abu-Zidan, F.M., & Rao, S. (2003). Factors affecting the severity of horse-related injuries. Injury, 34, 897–900. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0020-1383(03)00054-8
• Apter RC, Householder DD (1996): Weaning and weaning management of foals: A review and some recommendations. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 16: 428-435. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0737-0806(96)80208-5
• Arpacık R (1999): At Yetiştiriciliği, Şahin Matbaası. ISBN: 975-95817-2-8.
• Chitnavis, J.P., Gibbons, C. L. M. H., Hirigoyen, M., Lloyd Parry, J., & Simpson, A. H. R. W. (1996). Accidents with horses: What has changed in 20 years? Injury, 27, 103–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-1383(95)00176-x
• Christensen, J. W., Ahrendt, L. P., Malmkvist, J., & Nicol, C. (2021). Exploratory behaviour towards novel objects is associated with enhanced learning in young horses. Scientific Reports, 11, 1428. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-80833-w
• Ellis, S., & Greening, L. (2016). Positively reinforcing an operant task using tactile stimulation and food a comparison in horses using clicker training. Journal of Veterinary Behaviour, 15, 78-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2016.08.008
• Feh, C., & de Mazie`res, J. (1993). Grooming at a preferred site reduces heart rate in horses. Animal Behaviour, 46, 1191–1194. https://doi.org/10.1006/anbe.1993.1309
• Górecka-Bruzda, A., Jastrzebska, E., Sosnowska, Z., Jaworski, Z., Jezierski, T., & Chruszczewski, M. H. (2011). Reactivity to humans and fearfulness tests: Field validation in Polish Cold Blood Horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 133, 207–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2011.05.011
• Hama, H., Yogo, M., & Matsuyama, Y. (1996). Effects of stroking horses on both humans’ and horses’ heart rate responses. Japanese Psychological Research, 38, 66–73. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5884.1996.tb00009.x
• Hausberger, M., Roche, H., Henry, S., & Visser, E. K. (2008). A review of the human–horse relationship. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 109, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2007.04.015
• Hausberger, M., & Muller, C. (2002). A brief note on some possible factors involved in the reactions of horses to humans. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 76, 339–344. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1591(02)00016-3
• Hendriksen, P., Elmgreen, K., & Ladewig, J. (2011). Trailer-loading of horses: Is there a difference between positive and negative reinforcement concerning effectiveness and stress-related signs? Journal of Veterinary Behaviour, 6, 261-266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2011.02.007
• Henry, S., Hemery, D., Richard, M. A., & Hausberger, M. (2005). Human–mare relationships and behaviour of foals toward humans. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 93, 341–362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2005.01.008
• Henry, S., Richard-Yris, M. A., & Hausberger, M. (2006). Influence of various early human–foal interferences on subsequent human–foal relationship. Developmental Psychobiology, 48, https://doi.org/712–718. 10.1002/dev.20189
• Hinde, R. (1979). Towards Understanding Relationships. Academic Press, Londres.
• Jaeggin, S., Furst, A., & Auer, J. (2005). Kick injuries of veterinarians during examination and treatment of horses: A retrospective study in Switzerland. Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde, 147, 289–295. https://doi.org/10.1024/0036-7281.147.7.289
• Jezierski, T., & Gorecka, A. (2000). Changes in the horses heart rate during different levels of social isolation. Animal Science Papers and Reports, 18, 33–41.
• Kriss, T., & Kriss, V. (1997). Equine related neurosurgical trauma: a prospective series of 30 patients. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 43, 97–99. https://doi.org/ 10.1097/00005373-199707000-00022
• Lansade, L., Bertrand, M., Boivin, X., & Bouissou, M. F. (2004). Effects of handling at weaning on manageability and reactivity of foals. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 87, 131–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2003.12.011
• Lansade, L., & Bouissou, M.F. (2008). Reactivity to humans: A temperament trait of horses which is stable across time and situations. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 114, 492–508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2008.04.012
• Lansade, L., Bouissou, M. F., & Erhard, H. W. (2008a). Fearfulness in horses: A temperament trait stable across time and situations. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 115, 182–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2008.06.011
• Lansade, L., Bouissou, M. F., & Erhard, H. W. (2008b). Reactivity to isolation and association with conspecifics: A temperament trait stable across time and situations. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 109, 355–373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2007.03.003
• Larssen, R., & Roth, L. S. V. (2022). Regular positive reinforcement training increases contact-seeking behaviour in horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 252, 105651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105651
• Le Scolan, N., Hausberger, M., & Wolff, A. (1997). Stability over situations in temperamental traits of horses as revealed by experimental and scoring approaches. Behavioural Processes, 41, 257–266 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0376-6357(97)00052-1
• Lundberg, P., Hartmann, E., & Roth, L. S. V. (2020). Does training style affect the human-horse relationship? Asking the horse in a separation–reunion experiment with the owner and a stranger. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 233, 105144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105144
• McCann, J., Heird, J., Bell, W., & Lutherer, L. (1988). Normal and more highly reactive horses. I. Heart rate, respiration rate and behavioural observations. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 19, 201–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/0168-1591(88)90001-9
• McCrory, P., & Turner, M. (2005). Equestrian injuries. Medicine and Sport Science, 48, 8–17. https://doi.org/10.1159/000084280
• McDonnell, S. M. (2003). The Equid Ethogram, A Practical Field Guide to Horse Behaviour. The Blood Horse Inc., Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
• Newton, A., & Nielsen, A. M. (2005). A review of horse-related injuries in a rural Colorado hospital: implications for outreach education. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 31, 442–446. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.jen.2005.08.009
• Pritchard, J., Lindberg, A., Main, D., & Whay, H. (2005). Assesment of the welfare of working horses, mules and donkeys, using health and behaviour parameters. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 69, 265–283. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2005.02.002
• Seaman, S., Davidson, H., & Waran, N. (2002). How reliable is temperament assesment in the domestic horse (Equus caballus)? Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 78, 175–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1591(02)00095-3
• Søndergaard, E., & Halekoh, U. (2003). Young horses’ reactions to humans in relation to handling and social environment. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 84, 265–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2003.08.011
• Visser, E., Van Reenen, C., Hopster, H., Schilder, M., Knaap, J., Barneveld, A., & Blokhuis, H. (2001). Quantifying aspects of young horses’ temperament: consistency of behavioural variables. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 74, 241–258. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1591(01)00177-0
• Visser, E., Van Reenen, C., Rundgreen, M., Zetterqvist, M., Morgan, K., & Blokhuis, H. (2003). Responses of horses in behavioural tests correlate with temperament assessed by riders. Equine Veterinary Journal, 35, 176–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/S01681591(01)00177-0
• Waran NK, Clarke N, Farnworth M (2007): The effects of weaning on the domestic horse (Equus caballus). Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 110: 42-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2007.03.024
• Weeks, J., & Beck, A. (1996). Equine agitation behaviours. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, 18, 23–24.
• Williams, J.L., Friend, T.H., Collins, M.N., Toscano, M.J., Sisto-Burt, A., & Nevill, C.H. (2002). The effects of early training sessions on the reactions of foals at 1, 2 and 3 month of age. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 77, 105–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1591(02)00047-3
• Wolff, A., Hausberger, M., & Le Scolan, N. (1997). Experimental tests to assess emotionality in horses. Behavioural Process, 40, 209-221. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0376-6357(97)00784-5 Yüksek Lisans Tezi, 51s, Tekirdağ