Dataset on recognition of unfamiliar predators in domestic horses
Data files
Jul 16, 2026 version files 137.08 KB
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README.md
11.03 KB
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S1_Ethogram_.csv
1.45 KB
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S2_Staff_Questionnaire.pdf
122.15 KB
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S3_Predator_Response_DataSet.csv
2.45 KB
Abstract
This dataset contains physiological and behavioral observations from a study investigating the ability of domestic horses (Equus ferus caballus) to distinguish between unfamiliar predatory (wolf) and non-predatory (wombat) visual stimuli.
The dataset includes mean heart rate (HR) measurements (beats per minute) captured via equine heart monitors during baseline periods and exposure to silent video projections of affiliative/aggressive wolf behaviors and grazing wombats. Complementing the physiological data are behavioral observations. Additional files provide individual characteristics such as age, sex, and herd social status, alongside assessments of social dependency and temperament.
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.x3ffbg827
File Inventory
This dataset contains the following files:
- S1_Ethogram_.csv - Description: Ethogram table detailing the behavioral definitions and scoring criteria used during the trials (e.g., ear position, head and tail movements).
- S2_Staff_Questionnaire.pdf - Description: Survey instrument and documentation used by research facility staff to assess individual horse temperament, social dependency, and herd social status.
- S3_Predator_Response_DataSet.csv - Description: The raw experimental data containing subject characteristics, heart rate (HR) measurements across baseline and stimulus phases, and behavioral occurrence/duration scores. (See variable attributes below).
Data Sheet Variable Names and Attributes
| Variable Name | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Subject | Unique Identifier for each horse |
| AGE | Age of the subject in years |
| TRIAL | Trial Date |
| STIMNO | Stimulus Order (1 affiliative, 2 aggressive behaviors shown first after the control) |
| SEX | Male or Female (M or F) |
| HRWOM | Average Heart Rate during Wombat video presentation (in beats per minute, BPM) |
| HRFIGHT | Average Heart Rate during aggressive wolf video presentation (in beats per minute, BPM) |
| HRGROOM | Average Heart Rate during grooming wolf video presentation (in beats per minute, BPM) |
| HRNOWOMB | Average Heart Rate during wolve videos (in beats per minute, BPM) |
| HRNOSTIM | Average Heart Rate without stimulus (in beats per minute, BPM) |
| FEARTOT | Total Fear Score. Summed across staff raters. Individual ratings scored on a scale of 1 to 3 (1 = very little, 2 = average, 3 = very much). Full text in S2_Staff_Questionnaire.pdf. |
| DEPENTOT | Total Dependency Score. Summed across staff raters. Individual ratings scored on a scale of 1 to 3 (1 = very little, 2 = average, 3 = very much). Full text in S2_Staff_Questionnaire.pdf. |
| RANKTOT | Social Status Score. Summed across staff raters. Herd social hierarchy placement coded as 1 = low rank, 2 = moderate rank, 3 = high rank ("unstable" was not utilized). Full text in S2_Staff_Questionnaire.pdf. |
| EARFORWOMB* | Ears Forward during Wombats |
| EARFORWG* | Ears Forward during grooming wolves |
| EARFORWF* | Ears Forward during fighting wolves |
| EARBACKWOMB* | Ears backward during Wombats |
| EARBACKWG* | Ears backward during grooming wolves |
| EARBACKWF* | Ears backward during fighting wolves |
| HEADWOMB** | Head bobbing during wombats |
| HEADWG** | Head bobbing during grooming wolves |
| HEADWF** | Head bobbing during fighting wolves |
| TAILWOMB** | Tail swishing during wombats |
| TAILWG** | Tail swishing during grooming wolves |
| TAILWF** | Tail swishing during fighting wolves |
| BOLIWOMB** | Defecation /urination during wombats |
| BOLIWG** | Defecation /urination during grooming wolves |
| BOLIWF** | Defecation /urination during fighting wolves |
| DIRECTWOMB* | Monocular look during wombats |
| DIRECTWG* | Monocular look during grooming wolves |
| DIRECTWF* | Monocular look during fighting wolves |
| LEFTWOMB* | Left-gaze during wombats |
| LEFTWG* | Left-gaze during grooming wolves |
| LEFTWF* | Left-gaze during fighting wolves |
| RIGHTWOMB* | Right-gaze during wombats |
| RIGHTWG* | Right-gaze during grooming wolves |
| RIGHTWF* | Right-gaze during fighting wolves |
| NOSTRILWOMB** | Nostril dilation during wombats (yes=1; no=0) |
| NOSTRILWG** | Nostril dilation during grooming wolves (yes=1; no=0) |
| NOSTRILWF** | Nostril dilation during fighting wolves (yes=1; no=0) |
*duration (seconds)
**occurrence (yes=1; no=0)
Missing Data and Empty Cells
Missing values within the dataset (S3_Predator_Response_DataSet.csv) strictly represent missing data points where a specific metric could not be calculated or recorded for the horse rather than "not applicable" variables. They are intentionally left blank to avoid errors in statistical analyses workflows.