An exploratory study of competition scores and salivary cortisol concentrations in Warmblood horses

Munk, Rikke; Jensen, Rasmus Bovbjerg; Palme, Rupert; Munksgaard, Lene; Christensen, Janne Winther

doi:10.1016/j.domaniend.2017.06.007

Cited by 20 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Also, with respect to the effect of discipline, we found no difference in adrenal cortex reactivity between horses used for dressage, show jumping, eventing or endurance. While two previous studies reported increased cortisol levels in dressage horses [56, 62] compared to horses of other disciplines in a competition environment, our results indicate no long-term effect of discipline on HPA axis responsiveness.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 90%

Effects of breed, management and personality on cortisol reactivity in sport horses

Sauer

Hermann²,

Ramseyer

et al. 2019

Preprint

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18Sport horses need to fulfill high physical and psychological requirements during training 19 and competition. These as well as certain conditions of modern husbandry may affect their 20 wellbeing. Here we aimed to (1) evaluate effects of demographic and management factors 21 as well as personality traits on stress reactivity of sport horses, (2) investigate if elite sport 22 horses have elevated stress levels compared to amateur sport horses, and (3) assess whether 23 different equestrian disciplines differentially influence horses' adrenal cortex 24 responsiveness. For this purpose, we visited 149 healthy elite (n=94) and amateur (n=54) 42 their use. 43 44 50 competition purposes and training [4, 5]. However, modern keeping conditions often bear 51 little resemblance to the horse's natural habitat and social structure and in many cases 52 allow only limited natural foraging behavior [1]. Sport horses, especially, are now mostly 53 housed in single stalls [6] and their time on pasture and the amount of roughage fed is 54 often restricted [7]. In equestrian sports, horses often complete high intensity trainings with 55 different trainers and riders, go to national and international horse shows, and are thus 56 often required to live in different stables and to travel long distances in trailers and 57 airplanes. As a consequence, modern sport horses are significantly challenged [8]. The 58 high requirements that they are expected to fulfill, as well as the conditions of modern 59 husbandry, may lead to significant stress, both acute and chronic. 60Stress is the response of the body to a demand (stressor) placed upon it [9]. Whenever a 61 stimulus is perceived as a stressor, it results in a biological response in an attempt to cope 62 with the situation [10]. This biological reaction consists of the behavioral response, the 63 sympathetic-adrenal medulla (SAM) axis response and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal 64 cortex (HPA) axis response, which are often activated concurrently and interact during 65 stressful situations [11]. Studies investigating acute or chronic stress in horses have 66 assessed either one or several of these pathways [12-14]. SAM axis parameters, such as 67 evaluation of heart rate or heart rate variability and endocrinological parameters such as 68 cortisol levels are typically used as measures of acute stress [10]. HPA axis stimulation 69 tests such as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) 70 challenge tests are described as potential tools for the assessment of long-lasting effects of 71 stress in horses [10]. Stimulated cortisol may give an impression of an animal's overall 72 adrenal capacity, with both a depression [15-17] or an exaggerated response to stimulation 73 [18-21] reflecting a long-term stress-related alteration of the HPA axis.74Several management factors as well as personality traits have been investigated in relation 75 to stress responsivity in horses. For instance, a lack of social contact was linked to changes 4 76 in stress...

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 90%

Effects of breed, management and personality on cortisol reactivity in sport horses

Sauer

Hermann²,

Ramseyer

et al. 2019

Preprint

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“…Although defining which events are stressful for horses is challenging, cortisol increases after a single bout of exercise in Thoroughbred horses [23] and Warmblood showjumpers [24], suggesting that exercise increases stress. One recent study demonstrated that Warmblood horses had increased salivary cortisol at competitions compared to levels in the home environment [25], suggesting competition may be stressful for these horses. Furthermore, horses with EGGD had an increased response to ACTH stimulation compared to horses without EGGD [26].…”

Section: Management Factors Associated With Risk Of Eggd In This Popumentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk factors for equine glandular and squamous gastric disease in show jumping Warmbloods

Pedersen

Cribb

Windeyer

et al. 2018

Equine Veterinary Journal

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“…The permissive action of this substance enables the animal to react favorably to situations of stress and exhaustion, since the main metabolic effects of CORT are the increase in hepatic gluconeogenesis, the mobility of free fatty acids and lipolysis [79]. During exercise, CORT is also useful in suppressing insulin release and maximizing blood glucose utilization [14,80,84]. Thus, the availability of energy resources necessary during physical exercise is favored.…”

Section: Exercisementioning

confidence: 99%

Action Mechanisms and Pathophysiological Characteristics of Cortisol in Horses

Ambrojo¹,

Corzano²,

Poggi³

2018

Corticosteroids

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Cortisol (CORT), also known as stress hormone, plays a vital role in physiological processes such as electrolyte and fluid balance, cardiovascular homeostasis, carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism, immune and inflammatory responses, and sexual development and reproduction. Cortisol levels are influenced by various physiological factors such as race, age, circadian rhythm, seasonality, exercise and pregnancy. Also, some stressful conditions including isolation or transport, among others, modify levels of this hormone in the body. Excesses or deficiencies of cortisol cause important clinical problems such as Cushing's and Addison's syndromes, which contribute substantially to morbidity in equine medicine. Thus, in this review, we will develop the mechanisms of synthesis and regulation, as well as the physiological factors involved and the most important diseases related to the alteration of cortisol secretion in horses and foals.

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An exploratory study of competition scores and salivary cortisol concentrations in Warmblood horses

Cited by 20 publications

References 34 publications

Effects of breed, management and personality on cortisol reactivity in sport horses

Effects of breed, management and personality on cortisol reactivity in sport horses

Risk factors for equine glandular and squamous gastric disease in show jumping Warmbloods

Action Mechanisms and Pathophysiological Characteristics of Cortisol in Horses

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