Faculty Sponsor: Ruth Colwill

Historically, humans have trained horses by asserting dominance – the use of violent methods to force the animal to perform. Little is understood about why horses learn, perform, and remember tasks over time. Benjamin hypothesized that horse behavior has complex motivators. His research identified factors linked to training methods, memory, communication, social interaction, and emotion that motivate horses to perform the skills they have learned. Using ad libitum sampling and continuous recording techniques, Benjamin observed these variables with two top horse trainers in France. He hopes to use his findings to develop and test humane teaching methods that will serve as a new example for horse training.