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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2019; 9(7); 397; doi: 10.3390/ani9070397

Behavioral and Physiological Differences between Working Horses and Chilean Rodeo Horses in a Handling Test.

Abstract: Non-invasive measures are preferred when assessing animal welfare. Differences in behavioral and physiological responses toward a stressor could be the result of the selection of horses for specific uses. Behavioral and physiological responses of working and Chilean rodeo horses subjected to a handling test were assessed. Five behaviors, number of attempts, and the time to cross a bridge were video recorded and analyzed with the Observer XT software. Heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV), to assess the physiological response to the novel stimulus, were registered with a Polar Equine V800 heart rate monitor system during rest and the bridge test. Heart rate variability data were obtained with the Kubios software. Differences between working and Chilean rodeo horses were assessed, and within-group differences between rest and the test were also analyzed. Chilean rodeo horses presented more proactive behaviors and required significantly more attempts to cross the bridge than working horses. Physiologically, Chilean rodeo horses presented lower variability of the heart rate than working horses.
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Publication Date: 2019-06-29 PubMed ID: 31261934PubMed Central: PMC6681051DOI: 10.3390/ani9070397Google 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 research examines the difference in behavioral and physiological responses of working horses and Chilean rodeo horses when subjected to a handling test. The study found that Chilean rodeo horses exhibit more proactive behaviors and have lower heart rate variability than working horses.

Study Overview

  • The research was conducted to understand the behavioral and physiological differences between working horses and Chilean rodeo horses when subjected to a specific handling test.
  • The handling test was designed to assess the response of the horses to a novel stimuli in the form of a bridge.
  • The assumption is that the differences in responses could be attributed to selection of horses for specific uses.

Methodology

  • The non-invasive measures preferred in animal welfare assessment, such as behavioral observations and physiological responses, were used in this study.
  • Five behaviors, the number of attempts, and the time taken to cross a bridge were recorded and analyzed with the help of the Observer XT software.
  • The heart rate and heart rate variability of each horse before and during the bridge test were monitored with a Polar Equine V800 heart rate monitor to assess the physiological response to the novel stimulus.
  • The heart rate variability data were processed using the Kubios software.
  • The researchers assessed and compared differences between the two categories of horses and also analyzed within-group differences between the resting state and during the test.

Findings

  • Chilean rodeo horses exhibited more proactive behaviors than working horses. They required significantly more attempts to cross the bridge during the handling test.
  • The physiological measurements showed that Chilean rodeo horses had a lower variability in heart rate compared to working horses, indicating a distinct physiological response pattern to the novel stimulus.

Implications

  • The study provides useful insights into the behavioral and physiological differences between working horses and Chilean rodeo horses, possibly due to their selection for specific roles. This can be useful in understanding the well-being and performance of horses in different roles and environments.
  • The findings can also be used to improve training procedures and handling for horses based on their behavioral and physiological characteristics.

Cite This Article

APA
Rosselot P, Mendonça T, González I, Tadich T. (2019). Behavioral and Physiological Differences between Working Horses and Chilean Rodeo Horses in a Handling Test. Animals (Basel), 9(7), 397. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9070397

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 7
PII: 397

Researcher Affiliations

Rosselot, Paula
  • Departamento de Fomento de la Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile.
Mendonça, Tiago
  • Behavioral and Physiological Mechanisms of Adaptation Department, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), 84400 Apt, France.
González, Igor
  • Programa de Magíster en Ciencias Animales y Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile.
Tadich, Tamara
  • Departamento de Fomento de la Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile. tamaratadich@u.uchile.cl.

Grant Funding

  • 1161136 / Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Cientu00edfico y Tecnolu00f3gico

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
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