A nonnatural head-neck position (Rollkur) during training results in less acute stress in elite, trained, dressage horses.

This research article investigates the difference in stress levels between elite dressage horses that are trained with an unnatural head-neck position (Rollkur) and recreational horses that are trained using conventional methods. The study suggests that elite dressage horses trained this way experience less acute stress after physical exercise.

Methods

• The study involved two groups of horses: a group of seven recreational, trained horses (REC) and a group of five elite dressage horses trained at the International Grand Prix level (DRES). The elite dressage horses were trained using a non-natural head-neck posture known as Rollkur, while such training methods aren’t commonly used on the recreational horses.
• Stress was measured in both groups of horses using heart rate variability analysis for a period of half an hour after a morning meal and for half an hour after a morning training session.

Results

• When at rest, no significant difference was found in the stress levels of the recreational and elite dressage horses.
• However, following a training session, the stress levels of the elite dressage horses were noticeably different from those of the recreational horses. In particular, the dressage horses showed less sympathetic (fight or flight) activity and increased parasympathetic (rest and digest) dominance.

Conclusion

• The results from this study suggest that elite dressage horses tend to experience less immediate stress after exercise than recreational horses, despite their training involving an unnatural head-neck position.
• This conclusion implies that the non-natural biomechanical positions used in the training of elite dressage horses do not negatively affect their health or well-being. On the contrary, these elite horses appear to cope with such training better than their recreational counterparts in terms of stress response.