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Journal of animal science and technology2021; 63(3); 651-661; doi: 10.5187/jast.2021.e51

Behavioral and cardiac responses in mature horses exposed to a novel object.

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate whether breed, sex, and age affected temperament differently (more or less neophobic) in mature horses during a novel object test. The study included Jeju crossbred (n = 12, age = 9.42 ± 4.57 y), Thoroughbred (n = 15, age = 10.73 ± 3.09 y), and Warmblood horses (n = 12, age = 13.08 ± 3.55 y) with the females (n = 22, age = 11.36 ± 4.24 y) and geldings (n = 17, age = 10.65 ± 3.66 y). Jeju crossbreds (Jeju horse × Thoroughbred) are valuable considering their popular usage in Korea, but limited studies have explored temperament of Jeju crossbred horses. A trained experimenter touched the left side of the neck with a white plastic bag (novel object). The test ended when the horse stopped escape response and heart rate (HR) dropped to baseline. Behavioral score and escape duration were measured as behavioral variables. Multiple variables related to HR and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured to reflect emotional state. These included basal HR (BHR), maximum HR (MHR), delay to reach maximum heart rate (Time to MHR), standard deviation of beat-to-beat intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), and ratio of low to high frequency components of a continuous series of heartbeats (LF/HF). Statistics revealed that Thoroughbreds had significantly higher behavioral scores, and lower RMSSD than Jeju crossbreds ( < 0.05), suggesting greater excitement and fear to the novel object in Thoroughbreds. None of the behavioral or cardiac parameters exhibited sex differences ( < 0.05). Age was negatively correlated with SDNN and RMSSD ( < 0.05), indicating that older horses felt more anxiety to the novelty than younger horses. Thoroughbreds and females had distinct correlations between behavioral and HRV variables in comparison with other groups ( < 0.05), implying that escape duration might be a good indicator of stress, especially in these two groups. These results are expected to improve equine welfare, safety and utility, by providing insights into the temperament of particular horse groups, to better match reactivity levels with specific functions.
© Copyright 2021 Korean Society of Animal Science and Technology.
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Publication Date: 2021-05-31 PubMed ID: 34189512PubMed Central: PMC8203992DOI: 10.5187/jast.2021.e51Google 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.

The research article examines whether certain traits – breed, sex, and age – influence a horse’s reaction to new objects differently. The study’s results are intended to shed light on the temperament of particular horse groups, contributing to better equine welfare and utility by properly matching their reactivity levels with specific functions.

Objective of the Study

  • The primary objective of the study was to investigate how breed, sex, and age influence the way mature horses respond to a new object. The researchers aimed to understand whether these characteristics affect a horse’s temperament, making them more or less neophobic (fearful of new things or experiences).

Methodology of the Study

  • The study involved different types of horses: Jeju crossbred, Thoroughbred, and Warmblood. Females and geldings were included with different ages.
  • A trained researcher introduced a novel object, specifically a white plastic bag, by touching the left side of the horse’s neck with it.
  • The experiment ended when the horse stopped trying to escape and its heart rate returned to baseline. During this, the researchers measured variables such as the horse’s behavioral score and how long it took for the horse to stop trying to escape.
  • The researchers also assessed the horse’s emotional state by looking at multiple factors related to the horse’s heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV). This includes basil heart rate (BHR), maximum heart rate (MHR), time to reach maximum heart rate, standard deviation of beat-to-beat intervals (SDNN), and ratio of low to high frequency components of continuous heartbeats (LF/HF).

Results and Conclusions

  • Researchers found that Thoroughbreds demonstrated significantly higher behavioral scores indicating a greater sense of fear or excitement towards the new object compared to Jeju crossbreds.
  • Neither horse sex nor specific behavioral or cardiac parameters showed significant differences.
  • The study showed that older horses felt more anxiety when presented with novelty than younger horses, as age was negatively correlated with SDNN and RMSSD.
  • Different correlations were observed between behavioral and HRV variables in Thoroughbreds and female horses compared to other groups, suggesting as such that escape duration could be a good measure of stress, especially in these two groups.
  • The overall findings will help enhance equine welfare, safety, and utility by providing insights into the temperament of specific groups of horses which can contribute to accurately pair reactivity levels with appropriate functions.

Cite This Article

APA
Lee KE, Kim JG, Lee H, Kim BS. (2021). Behavioral and cardiac responses in mature horses exposed to a novel object. J Anim Sci Technol, 63(3), 651-661. https://doi.org/10.5187/jast.2021.e51

Publication

Journal of animal science and technology
ISSN: 2055-0391
NlmUniqueID: 101661694
Country: Korea (South)
Language: English
Volume: 63
Issue: 3
Pages: 651-661

Researcher Affiliations

Lee, Kyung Eun
  • Center for Animal Welfare Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.
Kim, Joon Gyu
  • Department of Equine Science, Cheju Halla University, Jeju 63092, Korea.
Lee, Hang
  • Center for Animal Welfare Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.
Kim, Byung Sun
  • Department of Equine Science, Cheju Halla University, Jeju 63092, Korea.

Conflict of Interest Statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

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