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Frontiers in veterinary science2024; 11; 1456733; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1456733

Autonomic regulation in athletic horses repetitively participating in two novice jumping classes on consecutive days.

Abstract: Animal welfare is of great concern in equestrian sports and has been evaluated in athletic horses competing at different levels. However, the impact of consecutive days of jumping competition and the extent of resultant stress responses remains unclear. To address this point, the present study compared the changes in stress response via heart rate variability (HRV) in horses participating in two national jumping events on consecutive days. Unassigned: The study involved six experienced horses equipped with heart rate monitoring devices. HRV variables were measured before, during, and after jumping at 10-min intervals for 60 min on each competition day. Unassigned: Multiple HRV variables decreased to varying degrees on both days from warm-up until 30 min post-jumping. Meanwhile, the mean heart rate increased during jumping and returned to normal levels at 50 min post-jumping on the first day (for all intervals,  < 0.05-0.001), while it remained elevated beyond 60 min post-jumping on the second day (for all intervals,  < 0.01-0.001). Additionally, maximum heart rate and respiratory rate were higher on the second day than in the first round during the warm-up phase ( < 0.05 for both variables). The proportion of the HRV low-frequency band was higher during riding on the second day ( < 0.05), while the proportion of the high-frequency band was reduced during warm-up on the first day ( < 0.05) and during course riding on the second ( < 0.01). Meanwhile, the sympathetic nervous system index took longer to return to baseline on the second day than on the first. Unassigned: These results suggest that autonomic regulation differed in horses between jumping rounds on two consecutive days, with horses experiencing higher sympathetic activity and potentially increased stress in the second round. This information is important for riders, highlighting the need to be mindful of potential stress that could, at least in part, impact the welfare of horses participating in the same jumping competition on consecutive days.
Copyright © 2024 Wonghanchao, Huangsaksri, Sanigavatee, Poochipakorn, Chanprame, Wongkosoljit, Chotiyothin, Rattanayanon, Kiawwan and Chanda.
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Publication Date: 2024-10-22 PubMed ID: 39502949PubMed Central: PMC11534818DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1456733Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study investigates the stress response in athletic horses competing in two consecutive days of jumping events, measured by heart rate variability (HRV). The research indicates horses experience an increase in stress and sympathetic activity on the second day of competition, which has implications for animal welfare in equestrian sports.

Research Methodology

  • The study involved six experienced horses, each fitted with heart rate monitoring devices for the duration of two national jumping events held on consecutive days.
  • HRV variables were measured and tracked at ten-minute intervals before, during, and after each jumping event. The interval continued for 60 minutes each competition day.

Key Findings

  • Results show significant changes in a horse’s HRV during competition. From warm-up until 30 minutes post-jumping, HRV variables decreased to various extents on both competition days.
  • The mean heart rate of the horses increased during jumping and returned to normal levels around 50 minutes after jumping on the first day. However, on the second day, the mean heart rate remained elevated even an hour after completing the jumping round.
  • Maximum heart rate and respiratory rate were found to be higher on the second day during the warm-up phase. These changes reflect a higher level of stress in the horses on the second day of competition.
  • The study also found that the proportion of the low-frequency band of the HRV was higher during riding on the second day, while the high-frequency band was reduced during the warm-up on the first day and during the course riding on the second day. These results indicate increased sympathetic activity, correlating to increased stress.
  • The sympathetic nervous system index, which responds to stress, also took longer to return to normal levels on the second day than the first, further suggesting an increase in stress on the second competition day.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study concludes that there are significant differences in autonomic regulation in horses jumping on two consecutive days. The findings suggest that horses experience higher levels of stress and sympathetic activity on the second day of competition.
  • This research has important implications for equestrian sports where animal welfare is a concern. Notably, it highlights the potential negative impact of consecutive days of competitive jumping on the stress levels of horses.
  • The findings could inform better practices in equestrian sports, including potentially avoiding scheduling high-stress events like jumping competitions on consecutive days.

Cite This Article

APA
Wonghanchao T, Huangsaksri O, Sanigavatee K, Poochipakorn C, Chanprame S, Wongkosoljit S, Chotiyothin W, Rattanayanon N, Kiawwan R, Chanda M. (2024). Autonomic regulation in athletic horses repetitively participating in two novice jumping classes on consecutive days. Front Vet Sci, 11, 1456733. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1456733

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Pages: 1456733
PII: 1456733

Researcher Affiliations

Wonghanchao, Thita
  • Veterinary Clinical Study Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphangsaen, Thailand.
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphangsaen, Thailand.
  • Thailand Equestrian Federation, Sports Authority of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand.
Huangsaksri, Onjira
  • Veterinary Clinical Study Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphangsaen, Thailand.
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphangsaen, Thailand.
  • Thailand Equestrian Federation, Sports Authority of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand.
Sanigavatee, Kanokpan
  • Veterinary Clinical Study Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphangsaen, Thailand.
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphangsaen, Thailand.
  • Thailand Equestrian Federation, Sports Authority of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand.
Poochipakorn, Chanoknun
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphangsaen, Thailand.
  • Thailand Equestrian Federation, Sports Authority of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand.
Chanprame, Sarisa
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphangsaen, Thailand.
Wongkosoljit, Sirapatch
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphangsaen, Thailand.
Chotiyothin, Wanlapa
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphangsaen, Thailand.
Rattanayanon, Nontaruj
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphangsaen, Thailand.
Kiawwan, Ratsamin
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphangsaen, Thailand.
Chanda, Metha
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphangsaen, Thailand.
  • Thailand Equestrian Federation, Sports Authority of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Wonghanchao T, Sanigavatee K, Pongnarudech P, Suchairat T, Jitsopin S, Wanichayanon B, Rattanakarn D, Jantakanangkoon P, Jaraswutiwong T, Kalanuson N, Simasurapoj N, Srisujja W, Tippayaratsoontorn S, Kranpan P, Charoenchanikran P, Poochipakorn C, Chanda M. Heart rate and heart rate variability responses during three exercise tests and recovery in horses participating in the Fédération Équestre Internationale Eventing World Challenge. BMC Vet Res 2025 Oct 24;21(1):631.
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