Reduction of biting and chewing of horses using differential reinforcement of other behavior
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2012 |
Authors: |
Adam E. Fox, Shana R. Bailey, Ezra G. Hall, Claire C. St. Peter |
Publication/Journal: |
Behavioural Processes |
Keywords: |
biting, chewing, differential reinforcement, dro, horses |
ISBN: |
03766357 |
Abstract:
Biting and chewing by horses on crossties can result in injury to the handler and damage to equipment. Operant-conditioning techniques have been used to train horses and could be used to reduce or eliminate undesirable biting and chewing. Presently, a differential-reinforcement-of-other-behavior (DRO) schedule, in the context of a reversal design, was effective in reducing biting and chewing in two horses. In DRO schedules, a reinforcer is delivered contingent on the absence of a target behavior for a specified interval. Positive-reinforcement procedures offer an alternative to aversive-control techniques typically used in equine training and may provide for better equine welfare and horse–human interaction.