你的恐惧有“味道”？
A new study suggests that horses can smell human fear. Researchers believe that when people are scared, horses may sense it through their body smell. This finding could be important for riders, trainers, and anyone else who works closely with horses.
In the study, scientists collected sweat from volunteers who had just watched either a scary movie or a happy film. They then placed cotton pads containing these sweat samples near the horses’ noses. The results showed clear differences in how the horses reacted. When exposed to the “fear sweat”, the horses were more easily startled, had faster heart rates, and were less likely to approach their handlers compared to when they smelled sweat from people who had watched joyful scenes.
The researchers explain that this may mean fear can spread between humans and horses. Just as humans can sense each other’s emotions, horses might pick up on human fear through smell, which acts as a warning signal. One researcher noted, “Unconsciously, we can pass our emotions to animals, and this can strongly affect how they feel in return.”
Smell is a very basic and powerful sense used for communication. While most research looks at how animals of the same species communicate through smell — like finding a mate — this study shows that scent signals can also cross species lines. Horses, it seems, can detect emotional changes in humans through body smell.
The researchers advise that people who work with horses should be aware of their own emotions. Arriving in a relaxed and positive mood can lead to better interactions with the horse. If a person is afraid, the horse may also become fearful and react more strongly in a new or uncertain situation. This study highlights just how closely connected humans and animals can be.
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