Hearing, Smell, & Taste (AGEQ 141)

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on equine sensory perception notes covering hearing, localization, smell, taste, and neural processing concepts.

Loudness

The perceived difference in volume or strength of sound from quiet to loud, measured in decibels ($dB$).

Pitch

The perceived differences in auditory frequency, such as between bass and soprano, which is measured in Hertz ($Hz$).

Hertz ($Hz$)

A unit of frequency where one hertz equals one vibration per second.

Bone Conduction

The process of hearing vibrations through the teeth and jaw bones while a horse is grazing.

Auditory Cortex

The area of the brain's surface and the most highly organized processing unit where sound is processed.

Auditory Agnosia

A condition caused by damage to the auditory cortex.

Amusia

Specific damage to the brain that interferes with music perception.

Localization

The ability to know where a noise is coming from when it is heard.

Whinny

An equine vocalization with an average length of $1.5\,\text{seconds}$ that consists of a high frequency intro, a rhythmic collection of medium frequencies, and a lower-frequency end.

Cross Modal Perception

The brain's process of perceiving through multiple organs simultaneously and integrating information from different sounds, sights, and touches.

Vomeronasal Organ

Also known as "Jakobson's organ," it is a horse's second nose that processes odors, specifically pheromones.

Pheromones

Natural chemicals that trigger behavior in animals.

Flehmen Response

The lifting of the upper lip to trap air inside the vomeronasal organ.

Sensory Compensation

The way the brain overcomes the loss of one sense by increasing the use of another through neural and behavioral reorganization.

Neural Fatigue

The natural time limit of a neuron's ability to remain activated, where neurons adapt to stimulation and require change to fire.

Categorical Perception

The brain's bias in which items with individual variation are automatically grouped together to be treated as a whole.

Pitch Detection Range (Horse)

The auditory frequency spectrum horses can hear, ranging from $55\,Hz$ to $35,000\,Hz$.

Localization Accuracy (Horse)

The ability of a horse to locate sound, which is within a range of $22-30^{\circ}$.

Ear Anatomy (Muscles)

The physical structure of each equine ear, which contains $16$ muscles allowing for independent movement.

Tongue Physical Characteristics

The equine tongue weighs approximately $2.5\,lbs$ and is $16\,in$ long.