Mader D R, Price E O
J Anim Sci. 1980 May;50(5):962-5. doi: 10.2527/jas1980.505962x.
The discrimination learning ability of Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds was compared by means of visual cues in a three-choice test with food as a reward. Quarter Horses learned significantly faster than Thoroughbreds, and learning progressed more rapidly for both breeds in a second discrimination task. Significant negative correlations were observed between age and rate of learning. Quarter Horses tended to be less reactive than Thoroughbreds, but individual emotional reactivity ratings and learning scores were not correlated. No correlation was found between social dominance and learning scores. Learning studies with horses may provide a better understanding of the behavioral traits that influence trainability in this species.
通过视觉线索，在以食物为奖励的三选一测试中比较了夸特马和纯种马的辨别学习能力。夸特马比纯种马学得明显更快，并且在第二项辨别任务中，两个品种的学习进展都更快。观察到年龄与学习速度之间存在显著的负相关。夸特马往往比纯种马反应性更低，但个体情绪反应评分与学习成绩不相关。未发现社会优势与学习成绩之间存在相关性。对马的学习研究可能有助于更好地理解影响该物种可训练性的行为特征。
