Do horses have smell memory??

blueberry · 09-02-2008, 07:59 AM

I have been having trouble sleeping lately, and as usual I started thinking, and it came around to thinking about horses. I wondered---do horses have smell memory. I know they use their sense of smell much more than we do, and that they use scent to recognize friends from foe. What my thought was last night was-----if they have smell memory, could that be used to despook their noses? If they were given a chance to smell and get used to scents such as sprays or medications/linaments, would that aid in taking care of an animal that was injured by at least taking away that piece of stress of a new smell. I know when my mare was injured I tried to use a spray on her cut and even though she would let me spray her with showsheen, she would not let me spray even anywhere on her with the Schreiner's spray and when she sniffed it (I always let my horses smell something new) she was like, what is that?!?!
I would appreciate what your thoughts would be on this.

Shiloveshorses · 09-02-2008, 08:05 AM

I had never thought of that before. You know some fears could be scent related. Rocket and Dandy both have had issues with fly spray before. When I used a regular brand things went well. It wasn't until I switched brands that we started having an issue. I had to spray it in the air and let them get used to the scent before they would let get anywhere near them with it.

**TDH** · 09-02-2008, 08:29 AM

Absolutely. It does for humans; only stands to reason that it would to horses too, given they rely so much more on scent than we do.

breburtch · 09-02-2008, 08:54 AM

lol ok when I first read the title I read it as Do horses smell memory? lmao

Horselessnomore · 09-02-2008, 01:40 PM

They must have . . . . . . I don't know how, but they seem to remember the smell of watermelons (not sliced open) and will try to chew on the outer rind to get to the juicy pink stuff inside

.

EquineAlberta · 09-02-2008, 01:51 PM

I agree that like people, horses can associate smell with a good feeling or a bad feeling, and that some smells make horses relax, get excited or worry.

I think you can train a horse to associate a certain smell with good things, and I think a horse can learn to associate a certain smell wth bad things. It is however important to remember that what/how horses smell is different than it is for us, so for example two things may smell the same to us, but smell different for a horse.

Karen

Sunlei · 09-02-2008, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueberry

I have been having trouble sleeping lately, and as usual I started thinking, and it came around to thinking about horses. I wondered---do horses have smell memory. I know they use their sense of smell much more than we do, and that they use scent to recognize friends from foe. What my thought was last night was-----if they have smell memory, could that be used to despook their noses? If they were given a chance to smell and get used to scents such as sprays or medications/linaments, would that aid in taking care of an animal that was injured by at least taking away that piece of stress of a new smell. I know when my mare was injured I tried to use a spray on her cut and even though she would let me spray her with showsheen, she would not let me spray even anywhere on her with the Schreiner's spray and when she sniffed it (I always let my horses smell something new) she was like, what is that?!?!
I would appreciate what your thoughts would be on this.

yes, horses and dogs aswell...most likely all animals and man have 'smell memory" There is a small bundle of nerves in the nose tip called a ganglin(spelling) bundle. It 'saves' and/or ids different smells.

Not much is known about the way animals save or store different odors. But from training tracking dogs, including bloodhounds...their sense of smell is unbeliveable good.

I would think a herd animals scent storage ability/memory for self preservation is very acute. A herd animal could smell dangeous things before they saw it for example.

Not much has been done at all with things like lab tests. But recently it has been reported with lab tests that animals can smell fear in air that was collected off other animals that were afraid. They can store the air...release it to other animals..and they were afraid. amazing!

Your horse can smell the difference in the medicine and for sure remember if it say was a stinging experience or nice soothing experience.

I also have done the scent daydream wondering. What if I collected the air arond a happy, playing animal. can that air. call it Happy horse ....sell it to horse show people whos horses are terrified by the smell of other horses afraid...and change the horses mood to happy?

always wondering lol..it's good for you!

Happy horse...5.99 a can!

Crookedblaze · 09-03-2008, 01:40 AM

Horses (and humans) have olefactory bulbs right by their hippocampus, the part of the brain that is responsible for memory, that is why we both have smell memory. Matter of fact, smell is the quickest memory cue.

pasopony · 09-03-2008, 08:52 AM

Actually, there is a product on the market now that is made from lactating mare pheromone that you spray into a nervous horse's nose. The "mothering" scent helps them calm down and associate with good feelings. My vet uses this a lot for nervous horses when he has to see them - instead of getting out the tranquilizers. It works really well for most horses. If the horse is already in crisis, it doesn't work very well. You give it to them before stressful events - such as the vet, trailering, going to a show, etc.

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09-02-2008, 07:59 AM
blueberry Yearling Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: great lakes area Posts: 748	Do horses have smell memory?? I have been having trouble sleeping lately, and as usual I started thinking, and it came around to thinking about horses. I wondered---do horses have smell memory. I know they use their sense of smell much more than we do, and that they use scent to recognize friends from foe. What my thought was last night was-----if they have smell memory, could that be used to despook their noses? If they were given a chance to smell and get used to scents such as sprays or medications/linaments, would that aid in taking care of an animal that was injured by at least taking away that piece of stress of a new smell. I know when my mare was injured I tried to use a spray on her cut and even though she would let me spray her with showsheen, she would not let me spray even anywhere on her with the Schreiner's spray and when she sniffed it (I always let my horses smell something new) she was like, what is that?!?! I would appreciate what your thoughts would be on this. __________________ Proud horse mom to: Genie the beauty queenie (3yo QH) Tess the best (5yo QH) "To err is human, to forgive is equine"

09-02-2008, 08:05 AM
Shiloveshorses Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 610	I had never thought of that before. You know some fears could be scent related. Rocket and Dandy both have had issues with fly spray before. When I used a regular brand things went well. It wasn't until I switched brands that we started having an issue. I had to spray it in the air and let them get used to the scent before they would let get anywhere near them with it. __________________ Life is full of ups and downs.....twists and turns......stay on the path.......hang on tight....remember who your friends are.....remember where the shoulders are.

09-02-2008, 08:29 AM
TDH Welcome and Introductions Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 3,213	Absolutely. It does for humans; only stands to reason that it would to horses too, given they rely so much more on scent than we do. __________________ You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

09-02-2008, 08:54 AM
breburtch Coming two Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ennismore, Ontario Posts: 1,863	lol ok when I first read the title I read it as Do horses smell memory? lmao

09-02-2008, 01:40 PM
Horselessnomore Long Yearling Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,343	They must have . . . . . . I don't know how, but they seem to remember the smell of watermelons (not sliced open) and will try to chew on the outer rind to get to the juicy pink stuff inside .

09-02-2008, 01:51 PM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,425	I agree that like people, horses can associate smell with a good feeling or a bad feeling, and that some smells make horses relax, get excited or worry. I think you can train a horse to associate a certain smell with good things, and I think a horse can learn to associate a certain smell wth bad things. It is however important to remember that what/how horses smell is different than it is for us, so for example two things may smell the same to us, but smell different for a horse. Karen __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB Do unto others as you would have them do unto you...is it really that hard?

09-03-2008, 01:40 AM
Crookedblaze Started Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,360	Horses (and humans) have olefactory bulbs right by their hippocampus, the part of the brain that is responsible for memory, that is why we both have smell memory. Matter of fact, smell is the quickest memory cue. __________________ Owned by Rocketman, a 17 year old AQHA and Stormy, a 10 year old Peruvian Paso x Arab

09-03-2008, 08:52 AM
pasopony Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 811	Actually, there is a product on the market now that is made from lactating mare pheromone that you spray into a nervous horse's nose. The "mothering" scent helps them calm down and associate with good feelings. My vet uses this a lot for nervous horses when he has to see them - instead of getting out the tranquilizers. It works really well for most horses. If the horse is already in crisis, it doesn't work very well. You give it to them before stressful events - such as the vet, trailering, going to a show, etc. __________________ Horses are not my whole life, but horses make my life whole.