Negative versus positive reinforcement: An evaluation of training strategies for rehabilitated horses
Negative versus positive reinforcement: An evaluation of training strategies for rehabilitated horses
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DOI：
10.1016/j.applanim.2007.08.011
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发表时间：
2008-08-01
影响因子：
2.3
通讯作者：
McBride, Sebastian
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Innes, Lesley;McBride, Sebastian
获救的马匹经常接受康复和培训(或再培训)方案，以改善他们的身心健康，并促进返乡进程。训练使用积极或消极强化学习程序，这里认为，使用后一种技术可能会对福利产生影响，因为它可能会给有慢性应激生活史的动物带来严重压力。因此，这项研究的目的是比较这些对马匹行为和生理的训练策略(消极强化和积极强化)，作为为长期遭受忽视/虐待形式的长期应激的马匹建立最佳康复方法的第一步(从福利角度)。在7周的时间里，16匹小马(6-18个月大)被训练，使用积极(‘积极’)(n=8)或消极强化(‘消极’)(n=8)技术来牵手、站立、穿越障碍赛道并将其装载到拖车中。在每周训练的第1、4天、训练前-1h、训练中0.5h和训练后1h测量心率(S间隔5次)。训练期以外的伦理图(10.00-20.00小时)也每周汇编两次。此外，还在训练前一周和训练期间进行了每周一次的场地测试(作为反应性的衡量标准)。结果显示，在试验的后期阶段，两种训练计划在某些指标上存在显著差异，表明在积极强化计划下训练的动物更有动力参与训练，并在新的情况/环境中表现出更多的探索性或试错型行为。在这方面，从福利的角度来看，将积极强化计划纳入康复方案可能对动物有利。(C)2007 Elsevier B.V.保留所有权利。
Rescued equids are often exposed to rehabilitation and training (or retraining) programmes to improve their physical and psychological well-being as well as to facilitate the re-homing process. Training uses either positive or negative reinforcement learning procedures and it is considered here that, there may be welfare implications associated with using the latter technique as it has the potential to overlay acute stress on animals with a chronic stress life history. The aim of this study, therefore, was to compare these training strategies (negative versus positive reinforcement) on equine behaviour and physiology as the first step in establishing an optimal rehabilitation approach (from a welfare perspective) for equids that have been subjected to chronic stress in the form of long-term neglect/cruelty. Over a 7-week period, 16 ponies (aged 6-18 months) were trained using either positive ('positive') (n = 8) or negative reinforcement ('negative') (n = 8) techniques to lead in hand, stand to be groomed, traverse an obstacle course and load into a trailer. Heart rate was measured (5 s intervals) on days 1 and 4 of each training week, 'Pre'- (1 h), 'During' (0.5 h) and 'Post'- (1 h) training session. Ethograms (10.00-20.00 h) outside of the training period were also compiled twice weekly. In addition, weekly arena tests (as a measure of reactivity) were also performed I week before and during the 7 weeks of training.Results showed significant differences between the two training schedules for some measures during the latter stages of the trial and suggested that animals trained under a positive reinforcement schedule were more motivated to participate in the training sessions and exhibited more exploratory or 'trial and error' type behaviours in novel situations/environments. In this context, the incorporation of positive reinforcement schedules within a rehabilitation programme may be of benefit to the animal from a welfare perspective. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.