History
When was the flehmen response first "discovered"
1732
What is the flehmen response
The lip flicking "smiling" response in horses that can be used for a multitude of reasons but mainly to investigate surroundings and smells.
T or F - The flehmen Response is in only Males
F - It was originally thought that the Flehmen response was only in males to seek out if a female was in the right stage of estrus, but in fact, some females show it as well.
What behavior is sometimes performed after the flehmen response?
Urine marking
Main sense used in the flehmen response
Smell
Who discovered the flehmen response
Frederik Ruysch in 1732, later examined by Ludwig jacobson in 1813
What organ is used in the flehmen response (either answer)
Jacobsons Organ - or Vomeronasal organ
Is the Flehmen response only in Horses
No - the Flehmen response is in all ungulates, except pigs like horses, Sheep, Goat, Deer, and Cattle.
Can horses learn information from other horses smells using the flehmen response
Yes, studies show that horse odors can provide information about other horses.
Cattle studies found stronger Flehmen responses to estrous urine, while horses didn't find that difference. Different animals could use the response differently
what does Flehmen mean
To bare the upper teeth - in German
What is the body positioning of the horse when the flehmen response is active
Retracting of the upper lip, wrinkling of the nose, baring of the gums, deep breath with an extension and raise of the head
Is there a definite purpose of the flehmen response
NO
T or F - Foals will react similarly with the flehmen response when interactily to estrou and non estrous urine
T - Foals respond similary to both types of urine
Why is it difficult to identify one purpose for the flehmen response
They may use it for multiple different reasons and not all studies provide one explanation.
Whow first described the flehmen response in horses in textbook form
Where can you find the jacobsons organ and what is the purpose
You can find Jacobson's organ in the roof of the mouth. When the Flehmen response is active, curling the lip opens the tiny ducts behind the front teeth.
Does the Flehmen response from a male always mean they are interested in mating
No - it can be used for multiple different reasons like investigating smells or surroundings
Open ended - Could the flehmen response in foals help them find their mothers
(rough response)
Possibly - odor recognition is a big part of the Flehmen response, if foals recognized their mothers scent, then it could help them locate their mothers.
Open ended - Could the flehmen response in foals help them find their mothers
(rough response)
Possibly - odor recognition is a big part of the Flehmen response, if foals recognized their mothers scent, then it could help them locate their mothers.
What was the flehmen response sometimes called
Horse Laugh - or Lip curl
What are some other reasons horses will do the flehmen response
1 - scent tracking
2 - pain - unexplained lip curling can be a sign of pain
3 - Investigating new smells
4 - Mating and Social use
Do horses only use smell or flehmen response to understand other horses
No. They can use auditory and visual senses too
How would a horses age effect the Flehmen response
Researchers found that young male and female foals are more likely to express the flehmen response in their first 4 weeks of like. This is because new experiences and smells are what is happening and surrounding them all the time
Why is it important for us to understand the Flehmen response? How can we apply it?
It can help us get a better understanding of horses and how they behave. You can use the information to be a better handler, owners, and caregiver.