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Thesis topic : identification of positive emotions in horses

Emotions are useful indicators for the evaluation of mental states in both human and non-human animals. In the context of animal welfare, the identification of negative emotions is a valuable tool and many scientific researches address this subject. However, what about positive emotions ? Can we determine animal welfare only in the absence of negative emotions? In the domestic horse, certain emotional states such as anxiety and stress are widely described and listed in the literature as indicators of welfare level, but few studies have addressed positive emotions. The objective of this research project is to identify positive emotions in the domestic horse through several approaches such as the identification of indicators of facial expressions, behaviors, postures, the identification of biological markers such as oxytocin levels, or the identification of physiological markers specific to positive emotions.
The results of this research project could then help complete the broad definition of the term animal welfare by providing new indicators: those of positive emotions.

Contact:

Romane Phelipon

Mail : romane.phelipon@inrae.fr