Equine Activities Influence Horses' Responses to Different Stimuli: Could This Have an Impact on Equine Welfare?

Overview

Journal Animals (Basel)

Date 2019 Jun 1

PMID 31146422

Citations 10

Authors

Tiago Mendonca

Cecile Bienboire-Frosini

Izabela Kowalczyk

Julien Leclercq

Sana Arroub

Patrick Pageat

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The learning and cognitive challenges that horses may face differ according to the activities in which they are involved. The aim of this investigation was to study the influence of equine activities on the behavioral responses and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity of adult horses. Forty-one horses were divided into four groups: dressage (9), jumping (10), eventing (13) and equine-assisted activity/therapy (9). A test was created to compare the horses' behavioral and physiological responses to different stimuli. The goal was always to obtain a treat. To study the ANS activity, heart rate variability was assessed using the standard deviation of the R-R intervals (SDNN), square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between successive interbeat-intervals (RMSSD) and low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF). To assess behavioral responses, video analysis was performed considering the following behaviors: exploration, interactions with another horse, and latency to approach. Significant differences in SDNN (DF = 3; F = 3.36; = 0.0202), RMSSD (DF = 3; F = 4.09; = 0.0078), LF/HF (DF = 3; F = 4.79; = 0.0031), exploration (DF = 3; F = 5.79; = 0.0013) and latency to approach (DF = 3; F = 8.97; < 0.0001) were found among horses from different equine activities. The activity that adult horses practice appears to influence behavioral and physiological responses to different stimuli, thus impacting equine welfare.

Citing Articles

Through a Horse's Eyes: Investigating Cognitive Bias and Responses to Humans in Equine-Assisted Interventions.

Rochais C, Akoka E, Amiot Girard S, Grandgeorge M, Henry S Animals (Basel). 2025; 15(4).

PMID: 40003087 PMC: 11851653. DOI: 10.3390/ani15040607.

Living the good life? A systematic review of behavioural signs of affective state in the domestic horse () and factors relating to quality of life. Part 2: Horse-human interactions.

Hall C, Kay R Anim Welf. 2024; 33:e41.

PMID: 39469043 PMC: 11514268. DOI: 10.1017/awf.2024.41.

From Human Perception of Good Practices to Horse (Equus Caballus) Welfare: Example of Equine-Assisted Activities.

Grandgeorge M, Lerch N, Delarue A, Hausberger M Animals (Basel). 2024; 14(17).

PMID: 39272332 PMC: 11393981. DOI: 10.3390/ani14172548.

Characterizing stress during animal interaction: a focus on the human endocrine response during equine-assisted services.

Rigby B Front Vet Sci. 2024; 10:1303354.

PMID: 38188717 PMC: 10766751. DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1303354.

Horses' Tactile Reactivity Differs According to the Type of Work: The Example of Equine-Assisted Intervention.

Rochais C, Lerch N, Gueguen L, Schmidlin M, Bonamy O, Grandgeorge M Vet Sci. 2023; 10(2).

PMID: 36851434 PMC: 9959874. DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10020130.

References

Kuwahara M, Hiraga A, Kai M, Tsubone H, Sugano S . Influence of training on autonomic nervous function in horses: evaluation by power spectral analysis of heart rate variability. Equine Vet J Suppl. 2000; (30):178-80. DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05213.x. View

Visser E, van Reenen C, van der Werf J, Schilder M, Knaap J, Barneveld A . Heart rate and heart rate variability during a novel object test and a handling test in young horses. Physiol Behav. 2002; 76(2):289-96. DOI: 10.1016/s0031-9384(02)00698-4. View

Despres G, Veissier I, Boissy A . Effect of autonomic blockers on heart period variability in calves: evaluation of the sympathovagal balance. Physiol Res. 2002; 51(4):347-53. View

Paul E, Harding E, Mendl M . Measuring emotional processes in animals: the utility of a cognitive approach. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2005; 29(3):469-91. DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2005.01.002. View

Kaiser L, Heleski C, Siegford J, Smith K . Stress-related behaviors among horses used in a therapeutic riding program. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006; 228(1):39-45. DOI: 10.2460/javma.228.1.39. View

Heitor F, Oom M, Vicente L . Social relationships in a herd of Sorraia horses Part II. Factors affecting affiliative relationships and sexual behaviours. Behav Processes. 2006; 73(3):231-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2006.05.005. View

von Borell E, Langbein J, Despres G, Hansen S, Leterrier C, Marchant J . Heart rate variability as a measure of autonomic regulation of cardiac activity for assessing stress and welfare in farm animals -- a review. Physiol Behav. 2007; 92(3):293-316. DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2007.01.007. View

Boissy A, Manteuffel G, Jensen M, Moe R, Spruijt B, Keeling L . Assessment of positive emotions in animals to improve their welfare. Physiol Behav. 2007; 92(3):375-97. DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2007.02.003. View

Broom D . Animal welfare: concepts and measurement. J Anim Sci. 1991; 69(10):4167-75. DOI: 10.2527/1991.69104167x. View

10.

Cozzi A, Sighieri C, Gazzano A, Nicol C, Baragli P . Post-conflict friendly reunion in a permanent group of horses (Equus caballus). Behav Processes. 2010; 85(2):185-90. DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2010.07.007. View

11.

Hausberger M, Muller C, Lunel C . Does work affect personality? A study in horses. PLoS One. 2011; 6(2):e14659. PMC: 3036583. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014659. View

12.

Peeters M, Sulon J, Beckers J, Ledoux D, Vandenheede M . Comparison between blood serum and salivary cortisol concentrations in horses using an adrenocorticotropic hormone challenge. Equine Vet J. 2011; 43(4):487-93. DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00294.x. View

13.

Munsters C, Visser K, van den Broek J, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan M . The influence of challenging objects and horse-rider matching on heart rate, heart rate variability and behavioural score in riding horses. Vet J. 2011; 192(1):75-80. DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.04.011. View

14.

Konig von Borstel U, Euent S, Graf P, Konig S, Gauly M . Equine behaviour and heart rate in temperament tests with or without rider or handler. Physiol Behav. 2011; 104(3):454-63. DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.05.010. View

15.

von Lewinski M, Biau S, Erber R, Ille N, Aurich J, Faure J . Cortisol release, heart rate and heart rate variability in the horse and its rider: different responses to training and performance. Vet J. 2013; 197(2):229-32. DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.12.025. View

16.

Zebisch A, May A, Reese S, Gehlen H . Effect of different head-neck positions on physical and psychological stress parameters in the ridden horse. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2013; 98(5):901-7. DOI: 10.1111/jpn.12155. View

17.

Mengoli M, Pageat P, Lafont-Lecuelle C, Monneret P, Giacalone A, Sighieri C . Influence of emotional balance during a learning and recall test in horses (Equus caballus). Behav Processes. 2014; 106:141-50. DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2014.05.004. View

18.

Le Scolan N, Hausberger M, Wolff A . Stability over situations in temperamental traits of horses as revealed by experimental and scoring approaches. Behav Processes. 2014; 41(3):257-66. DOI: 10.1016/s0376-6357(97)00052-1. View

19.

Yarnell K, Hall C, Royle C, Walker S . Domesticated horses differ in their behavioural and physiological responses to isolated and group housing. Physiol Behav. 2015; 143:51-7. DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.02.040. View

20.

Borgi M, Loliva D, Cerino S, Chiarotti F, Venerosi A, Bramini M . Effectiveness of a Standardized Equine-Assisted Therapy Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2015; 46(1):1-9. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2530-6. View