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Hormones and behavior2010; 58(4); 628-636; doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.06.011

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

Abstract: Based on cortisol release, a variety of situations to which domestic horses are exposed have been classified as stressors but studies on the stress during equestrian training are limited. In the present study, Warmblood stallions (n=9) and mares (n=7) were followed through a 9 respective 12-week initial training program in order to determine potentially stressful training steps. Salivary cortisol concentrations, beat-to-beat (RR) interval and heart rate variability (HRV) were determined. The HRV variables standard deviation of the RR interval (SDRR), RMSSD (root mean square of successive RR differences) and the geometric means standard deviation 1 (SD1) and 2 (SD2) were calculated. Nearly each training unit was associated with an increase in salivary cortisol concentrations (p<0.01). Cortisol release varied between training units and occasionally was more pronounced in mares than in stallions (p<0.05). The RR interval decreased slightly in response to lunging before mounting of the rider. A pronounced decrease occurred when the rider was mounting, but before the horse showed physical activity (p<0.001). The HRV variables SDRR, RMSSD and SD1 decreased in response to training and lowest values were reached during mounting of a rider (p<0.001). Thereafter RR interval and HRV variables increased again. In contrast, SD2 increased with the beginning of lunging (p<0.05) and no changes in response to mounting were detectable. In conclusion, initial training is a stressor for horses. The most pronounced reaction occurred in response to mounting by a rider, a situation resembling a potentially lethal threat under natural conditions.
Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2010-06-23 PubMed ID: 20600048DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.06.011Google 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 study investigates the stress levels in Warmblood horses, both stallions and mares, during initial training by analyzing changes in cortisol release and heart rate variability. The research suggests that the most stressful part of training for these horses is when the rider mounts.

Study Design

This study involved observing 9 Warmblood stallions and 7 mares during a 9 to 12-week initial training program. The goal was to determine the possible stressful parts of equestrian training. Such identification was done by measuring:

  • Salivary cortisol concentrations – often used to identify stress since the body produces more cortisol in stressful situations
  • Heart Rate Variability (HRV) – the variability in time intervals between consecutive heartbeats (beat-to-beat or RR interval)

Within the HRV measurements, researchers computed the variables Standard Deviation of RR interval (SDRR), Root Mean Square of Successive RR Differences (RMSSD), and the geometric means Standard Deviation 1 (SD1) and Standard Deviation 2 (SD2).

Findings

The study found that almost every training unit was linked with an increase in salivary cortisol concentrations, thereby suggesting an increase in stress levels during training, with considerable variability detected between individual training units.
In terms of sex differences, it was observed that the stress response was occasionally more pronounced in mares compared to stallions.

The RR interval, an indicator of heart rate variability, typically displayed a slight decline when the horses were lunged prior to the rider mount. A major decline was noted when the rider was mounting, even before the horse began any physical activity.

In tandem with this decisive fall, the HRV variables SDRR, RMSSD, and SD1 also decreased in response to the training, with the lowest values observed during the mounting of a rider. These values then started to increase again after the mounting stage.

However, SD2, another HRV variable, showed a different pattern with an increase observed at the beginning of lunging. Uniquely, no changes in SD2 were detected in response to mounting.

Conclusion

The study concluded that initial training indeed acts as a stressor for horses. The most significant stress reaction was seen during the process of rider mounting, which the study describes as a “situation resembling a potentially lethal threat under natural conditions” for horses. This finding underscores the importance of introducing proper training techniques to mitigate stress during the initial training of horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Schmidt A, Aurich J, Möstl E, Müller J, Aurich C. (2010). Changes in cortisol release and heart rate and heart rate variability during the initial training of 3-year-old sport horses. Horm Behav, 58(4), 628-636. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.06.011

Publication

Hormones and behavior
ISSN: 1095-6867
NlmUniqueID: 0217764
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 58
Issue: 4
Pages: 628-636

Researcher Affiliations

Schmidt, Alice
  • Graf Lehndorff Institute for Equine Science, Neustadt (Dosse), Germany.
Aurich, Jörg
    Möstl, Erich
      Müller, Jürgen
        Aurich, Christine

          MeSH Terms

          • Age Factors
          • Animals
          • Electrocardiography
          • Female
          • Heart Rate / physiology
          • Horses / metabolism
          • Horses / physiology
          • Hydrocortisone / analysis
          • Hydrocortisone / metabolism
          • Individuality
          • Male
          • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
          • Saliva / chemistry
          • Saliva / metabolism
          • Sports / physiology
          • Time Factors

          Citations

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