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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1.1.Who would care most about this finding?
A Film makers.
B Horse handlers.
C Research scientists.
D Study volunteers.
解析：选B。1.B细节理解题。第一段明确指出，此发现对骑手、驯马师等与马密切工作的人（riders, trainers, and anyone else who works closely with horses）很重要。horse handlers（马匹照料者/驯马师）精准概括了该群体。A、C、D均为研究中涉及的其他角色，但非核心受益或关注群体。故选B。
2.2. In Paragraph 2, the underlined word “startled” most likely means ________.
A very calm
B suddenly surprised
C deeply interested
D completely tired
解析：选B。2.B词义猜测题。第二段描述马闻到“恐惧汗水”后的反应：心跳加速、不愿接近驯马师，并且“were more easily startled”。结合这些紧张行为的语境，“startled”应表示突然受惊或吓一跳，因此B项“suddenly surprised”（突然感到惊讶/惊吓）是正确释义。故选B。
3.3. What is the key finding mentioned in Paragraph 3?
A Horses enjoy human company.
B Smell is not important to horses.
C Fear can transfer to horses.
D Animals ignore human emotions.
解析：选C。3.C段落大意题。第三段首句明确指出：“这或许意味着恐惧可以在人类和马匹之间传播（fear can spread between humans and horses）”。C项“Fear can transfer to horses”（恐惧可以传递给马）是同义转述，概括了该段核心研究发现。A、B、D项均与段落主旨相反或未提及。故选C。
4.4.What is suggested for people working with horses?
A Masking scents with perfume.
B Preparing with happy movies.
C Changing research methods.
D Managing their own feelings.
解析：选D。4.D推理判断题。最后一段建议的核心是：与马相处的人应be aware of their own emotions（注意自身情绪），保持relaxed and positive mood（放松积极的心态）。D项Managing their own feelings（管理自身情绪）是对此建议的合理推断与概括。A、B项是具体但未提及的行为；C项与给从业者的建议无关。故选D。
