Changes in cortisol release and heart rate and heart rate variability during the initial training of 3-year-old sport horses

Schmidt, Alice; Aurich, Jörg; Möstl, Erich; Müller, Jürgen E.; Aurich, Christine

doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.06.011

Cited by 137 publications

(140 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Factors such as fitness and age need to be taken into consideration if hormonal stress responses are to be used as a means of interpreting behavioral signs. However, in low level exercise scenarios findings suggest that anxiety-provoking situations produce increases in salivary cortisol concentration (Schmidt et al, 2010). Training per se affects baseline plasma cortisol concentration in riding horses (Fazio et al, 2006) and subsequent cortisol response to ridden events is affected by previous training (Fazio et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing ridden horse behavior: Professional judgment and physiological measures

Hall

Kay

Yarnell

2014

Journal of Veterinary Behavior

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1 These authors contributed equally to the work. AbstractThe assessment of ridden horse behavior by twelve equestrian professionals (riding instructors n=4, riders n=4, veterinary surgeons n=4) was compared with observed behavior and physiological measures (salivary cortisol and eye temperature). Horses (n=10) were ridden at walk, trot and canter in a pre-defined test of approximately 2-3 minutes. Video footage of the ridden test was analyzed using Observer XT 10 and duration of behavioral states/events recorded. Saliva was collected in the stable, after the warm up (WU) and at 0, 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes post-ridden-test (RT). The saliva was analyzed for cortisol (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and the difference between minimum and maximum concentration (ng/ml) and associated sample times recorded. Eye temperature was measured using an infrared thermal camera (MobIR® M8), using static images (stable, after WU, after RT), and video footage (WU and RT) with maximum eye temperatures derived from set intervals. Mean maximum eye temperatures during ridden work were calculated. Video footage of the ridden test was observed by the twelve equestrian professionals who each scored the horses on seven performance parameters derived from the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules for dressage events and the training scale of the German National Equestrian Federation (relaxation, energy, compliance, suppleness, confidence, motivation and happiness). These scores were compared with behavioral and physiological measures and correlations investigated (Spearman's Rank Order Correlation). Higher percentage durations of high head carriage (ranging from 0-50.75% of RT) and the nose carried at an angle in front of the vertical (0-74.29% of RT) correlated with overall less favorable assessment by the equestrian professionals (p<0.05) and 2 only the instructors associated neutral head carriage (32.76-91.92% of RT) and vertical nasal angle (0.97-68.90% of RT) as a positive sign (p=0.03and p=0.04 respectively). Increases in salivary cortisol positively correlated with the duration of low head carriage (p<0.05), suggesting that this way of going increased the demands placed on the horse. Increased eye temperature positively correlated with duration of nose carried behind the vertical when ridden (p=0.02) and negatively correlated with duration of nose carried in front of the vertical (p=0.01). Some discrepancy between physiological evidence and professional assessment of ridden horse behavior was evident as were differences between groups of professionals. Further evaluation of the association between behavioral signs and physiological measures is now required to ensure that the assessment of ridden horse performance is based on valid and consistent measures.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing ridden horse behavior: Professional judgment and physiological measures

Hall

Kay

Yarnell

2014

Journal of Veterinary Behavior

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“…Moreover, since it has been shown that horses demonstrate individual variation in heart rate parameters (Visser et al, 2002), good controls within the studies are necessary. Studies by Schmidt et al (2010a) and Jansen et al (2009) provide examples of how this measure has been used to monitor emotional responses in ridden horses. Other measures currently used are changes in heart rate variability (HRV), cortisol release and, more recently, changes in surface temperature as measured by infrared thermography (IRT).…”

Section: Physiological Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The duration of the stressor affects increases in cortisol concentration and the scales over which they should be measured (Schmidt et al, 2010a;Schmidt et al, 2010b).…”

Section: Outliers and Missing Values In Hrv Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolving protocols for research in equitation science

Pierard

Hall

Borstel

et al. 2015

Journal of Veterinary Behavior

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Within the emerging discipline of Equitation Science the application of consistent methodology, including robust objective measures, is required for sound scientific evaluation. This report aims to provide an evaluation of current methodology and to propose some initial guidelines for future research. The value of research, especially that involving small sample sizes, can be enhanced by the application of consistent methodology and reporting enabling results to be compared across studies. This paper includes guidelines for experimental design in studies involving the ridden horse. Equine ethograms currently used are reviewed and factors to be considered in the development of a riddenhorse ethogram are evaluated. An assessment of methods used to collect behavioral and physiological data is included and the use of equipment for measurements (e.g., rein-tension and pressure-sensing instruments) is discussed. Equitation science is a new discipline, subject to evolving viewpoints on research foci and design. Technological advances may improve the accuracy and detail of measurements, but must be used within appropriate and valid experimental designs.

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“…A significant increase in the salivary cortisol concentration was stated in naïve horses during the initial training. The increase was particularly significant in response to mounting by a rider (Schmidt et al 2010a, Kęd-zierski et al 2014b. Thus, measuring the cortisol concentration in saliva samples was assumed to be a useful marker of the mental stress in horses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The most common approach used to evaluate the stress level in horses, is measuring cortisol release (Peeters et al 2010, Schmidt et al 2010a. The cortisol is a natural glucocorticoid hormone synthetised by the adrenal cortex, which in turn, is stimulated by sympathetic nervous system activity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Massage or music meant to be relaxing, result in lowering salivary cortisol concentration in race horses

Kędzierski¹,

Janczarek²,

Stachurska³

et al. 2017

PHK

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Summary: At the beginning of training routine, young race horses are exposed to stressful stimuli. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of a relaxing massage which the horses received in the stable, and the influence of music piped into the stable, on the longlasting stress level of the horses. 120 Purebred Arabian horses were studied. They were examined during first racing season, which lasted for six months. At the beginning of the study, the horses were 28 -31 months old. The horses were brought to Słužewiec Horse Race Track (Warsaw, Poland) from their familiar studs and were randomly assigned to music (n = 48), massage (n = 48), or control (n = 24) groups. All horses were regularly trained and competed in official races. Once a month, saliva samples were collected from each horse to determine the cortisol concentration. Both music and massage resulted in significantly lower salivary cortisol concentration compared to control treatment.

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Changes in cortisol release and heart rate and heart rate variability during the initial training of 3-year-old sport horses

Cited by 137 publications

References 37 publications

Assessing ridden horse behavior: Professional judgment and physiological measures

Assessing ridden horse behavior: Professional judgment and physiological measures

Evolving protocols for research in equitation science

Massage or music meant to be relaxing, result in lowering salivary cortisol concentration in race horses

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