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Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2014; 202(1); 26-32; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.07.005

Effect of different head and neck positions on behaviour, heart rate variability and cortisol levels in lunged Royal Dutch Sport horses.

Abstract: Different head-and-neck positions (HNPs) are discussed in relation to potential welfare issues. To evaluate the effect on welfare, seven Royal Dutch Sport horses were studied in five predetermined HNPs: (1) unrestrained (HNP1); (2) neck raised, bridge of nose around the vertical (HNP2); (3) neck lowered and considerably flexed, bridge of nose pointing towards the chest (HNP4); (4) neck raised and extended, bridge of nose in front of the vertical (HNP5), and (5) neck lowered and flexed, bridge of nose pointing towards the carpus (HNP7). A standardised exercise test (SET) of 34 min consisted of trot, canter and walk. Behaviour was recorded with a pre-defined ethogram and R-R intervals measured using telemetry. Cortisol concentrations were taken at the start, 5 and 30 min after the SET. Behaviour around the SET was scored separately. Conflict behaviours increased significantly during HNP2 when compared with HNP1, HNP4 and HNP7 during the SET, and there was significant negative anticipation before HNP2 and HNP7. The heart rate variability (HRV) frequency domain for HNP2 showed a significantly increased low frequency peak (LFpeak) compared with other HNPs, and there was a decrease in very low frequency (VLF%) compared with HNP1. HNP4 showed a significant increase in LF% and decrease in VLF% compared with HNP1. Saliva cortisol concentrations were significantly increased in HNP2 at 5 and 30 min after exercise. Increased conflict behaviour was mostly observed in HNP2, but there was a raised HRV suggesting a sympathetic shift in HNP2 and HNP4, and increased cortisol concentrations during HNP2 indicated a stress response.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2014-07-16 PubMed ID: 25127376DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.07.005Google 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 evaluated the impact of different head and neck positions on the welfare of Royal Dutch Sport horses, monitoring behavior, heart rate variability, and cortisol levels during standardized exercise tests. The research identified specific positions that increased conflict behavior and stress responses in the horses.

About the Study

  • In the effort to assess potential welfare issues in Royal Dutch Sport horses, researchers examined seven of these horses in predetermined head and neck positions (HNPs). These positions were classified as (1) Unrestrained position, HNP1; (2) Neck raised with nose around the vertical, HNP2; (3) Neck considerably lowered and flexed with nose pointing towards the chest, HNP4; (4) Neck raised and extended, nose in front of the vertical, HNP5; and (5) Neck lowered and flexed, nose pointing towards the carpus, HNP7.
  • A standardised exercise test (SET) lasting 34 minutes, involving trotting, cantering and walking, was carried out while the horses were in these positions. Information about the horses’ behaviour, R-R intervals, and cortisol concentrations were documented at the start, 5 and 30 minutes after the SET.

Significant Findings

  • Conflict behaviours, such as resistance or discomfort, increased significantly during HNP2 when compared with HNP1, HNP4, and HNP7 during exercise. Additionally, there was significant negative anticipation (potential anxiety or aversion) prior to assuming positions HNP2 and HNP7.
  • HNP2 showed significant increases in the low frequency peak (LFpeak) of heart rate variability (HRV) compared to other positions, suggesting a shift to a more stress-responsive, sympathetic state. HNP2 also showed a decrease in very low frequency (VLF%) compared to HNP1.
  • Further, HNP4 caused a significant increase in LF%, which indicates a sympathetic (stress-process) activation, and a respective decrease in VLF% when compared to HNP1.
  • Cortisol concentrations in the saliva, commonly associated with stress levels, were significantly higher in HNP2 at both 5 and 30 minutes after exercise.

Conclusions

  • The research pointed out that certain head and neck positions can induce stress and other welfare problems in Royal Dutch Sport horses. Particularly, HNP2 was identified as problematic, causing increased conflict behaviour, a heightened stress response as indicated by elevated cortisol levels, and a shift to sympathetic activation as displayed by altered HRV results.
  • This research provides essential insights for horse trainers and riders to consider the impacts of these positions on horse welfare, especially during exercises.

Cite This Article

APA
Smiet E, Van Dierendonck MC, Sleutjens J, Menheere PP, van Breda E, de Boer D, Back W, Wijnberg ID, van der Kolk JH. (2014). Effect of different head and neck positions on behaviour, heart rate variability and cortisol levels in lunged Royal Dutch Sport horses. Vet J, 202(1), 26-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.07.005

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1532-2971
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 202
Issue: 1
Pages: 26-32
PII: S1090-0233(14)00297-4

Researcher Affiliations

Smiet, E
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Van Dierendonck, M C
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; Behavioural Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Sleutjens, J
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Menheere, P P C A
  • Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Maastricht, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
van Breda, E
  • High Performance Sports Expertise and Innovation Centre, Milaanstraat 120, NL-6135 LH Sittard, The Netherlands.
de Boer, D
  • Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Maastricht, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Back, W
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Wijnberg, I D
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: i.d.wijnberg@uu.nl.
van der Kolk, J H
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; Euregio Laboratory Services, Section Equine Metabolic and Genetic Diseases, Stadionplein 46, 6225 XW Maastricht, The Netherlands.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Female
  • Gait
  • Head
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Hydrocortisone / blood
  • Male
  • Neck
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
  • Posture

Citations

This article has been cited 16 times.
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