Olfactory Stimulation as Environmental Enrichment for Domestic Horses—A Review
Author:
Bini de Lima Ana Caroline1ORCID, Sebastião da Fé Vanessa Cristini1ORCID, Palermo Hernandes Maria Simara1, Oliveira dos Santos Viviane Maria1
Affiliation:
1. Nucleus of Studies in Ambience, Bioclimatology, Welfare and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Brazil
Abstract
Horses constantly face several challenges inherent to the domestic environment, and it is common for the expression of their natural behavior to be drastically limited. Environmental enrichment has been suggested as an alternative to improve the captive situation of domestic horses. Among the recently proposed enrichment strategies, olfactory stimulation has emerged as a method for improving several aspects related to animal behavior. Olfaction is a sensory modality that plays a significant role in the expression of equine behavior, and in recent years, studies have shown that olfactory stimulation can influence the physiological and behavioral parameters of horses. This review provides current information on the anatomical particularities of the equine olfactory system, presents the physiological mechanisms involved in the odor detection process, and demonstrates how stress can interfere with this process. Finally, the use of olfactory stimulation as an environmental enrichment for domestic horses (Equus ferus caballus) is explored. The need for new studies that answer pertinent questions related to this topic is discussed throughout the manuscript.
Funder
Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul
Subject
General Veterinary,Animal Science and Zoology
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