HORSE BEHAVIOR RESEARCH

Horse behavior research conducted at the Horse Unit located at the edge of the Auburn University campus. At the Horse Unit there are about 65 horses which are available to support the teaching, research and extension missions of the Department of Animal Siences at Auburn University. Dr. Cindy A. McCall is the faculty coordinator of the Horse Unit and is involved with the horse teaching, research and extension programs.

HORSE BEHAVIOR RESEARCH

EQUINE LEARNING

• Utilization of previously learned stimuli to solve novel tasks
• Utilization of secondary reinforcement
• Relationship between discrimination reversal learning and performance tasks
• Influence of preweaning handling on post-weaning learning ability
• Influence of handling during different ages on a halter training test in foals
• Avoidance learning in horses

CRIB-BITING BEHAVIOR

• Saliva production in cribbing vs. normal horses
• Gastric pH in cribbing vs. normal horses
• Effect of an oral antacid on gastric pH and cribbing behavior

REACTIVITY

• Evaluation of reactivity tests

• McCall, C. A. , M. A. Salters, K. B. Johnson, S. J. Silverman, W. H. McElhenney and R. S. Lishak. 2003. Equine utilization of a previously learned stimulus to solve a novel task. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 82:163-172.
• Lillie, H.C., C.A. McCall, W.H. McElhenney, J.S. Taintor and S.J. Silverman. 2003. Comparison of gastric pH in crib-biting and normal horses. Proc. 18th Equine Nutr. Physiol. Symp. Lansing, MI. p. 247.
• McCall, C. A. and S. E. Burgin. 2002. Equine utilization of secondary reinforcement during response extinction and acquisition. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 78:253-262. (Invited contribution)
• McCall, C. A., S. Hall, K. A. Cummins, M. C. Newland and W. H. McElhenney. 2001. Evaluation and comparison of four reactivity tests in horses. Proc.17th Equine Nutr. Physiol. Symp. Lexington, KY. p. 357.
• McCall, C. A., B. A. Moeller, S. J. Silverman and W. H. McElhenney. 2001. Saliva production in crib-biting and normal horses. Proc.17th Equine Nutr. Physiol. Symp. Lexington, KY. p. 358.
• Sappington, B.K.F. , C. A. McCall, D.A. Coleman, D.L. Kuhlers and R.S. Lishak. 1997. A preliminary study of the relationship between discrimination reversal learning and performance tasks in yearling and 2-year-old horses. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 53:157-166.
• Mal, M. E. and C. A. McCall. 1996. The influence of handling during different ages on a halter training task in foals. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 50:115.
• Mal, M. E. , C. A. McCall, C. Newland and K. A. Cummins. 1994. Influence of preweaning handling methods on post weaning learning ability and manageability of foals. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 40:187.
• Mal, M. E. , C. A. McCall, C. Newland and K. A. Cummins. 1993. Evaluation of a one-trial learning apparatus to test learning ability in weanling horses. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 35:305.
• McCall, C. A., M. A. Salters and S. M. Simpson. 1993. Relationship between number of conditioning training session and avoidance learning in horses. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 36:291.

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Send your comments about the horse behavior research program to cmccall@acesag.auburn.edu