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Discussion

Own findings

The current study was the first to assess possible side biases in a large variety of behaviours in a given population of horses. Although no significant side preferences at the population level were found with any of the behaviours considered, most of the horses displayed significant side preferences at the individual level for a variety of behaviours.

Individual lateralization in other studies

Other papers have also found individual lateralizations but not to the same degree and side as the present study. 

Population lateralization in other studies

Of the papers currently published on horse lateralization, only two involving large populations of thoroughbred racehorses have found population level lateralizations, one for standing and the other for leading limb. No population level laterization has been observed in any other study, which is consistent with the results of the present study.

Correlations between behaviours in other studies

One other paper studied correlations between foot preference when standing or grazing and first nostril used to smell, however, no significant correlation was found. Therefore, no correlation between horse behavioural lateralization has been found to date, including in the present study.


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Last updated: 05/08/21