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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Equine Sci / Effect of restraint inside the transport vehicle on heart ra...
Journal of equine science2022; 33(1); 13-17; doi: 10.1294/jes.33.13

Effect of restraint inside the transport vehicle on heart rate and heart rate variability in Thoroughbred horses.

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the effect of transportation and restraint in a van on heart rate (HR) and HR variability in Thoroughbreds. Eight healthy Thoroughbreds were exposed to four conditions, each for a duration of 30 min: stall rest (REST), restraint inside a van (VAN), restraint inside a van with the engine running (V + E), and road transportation (TRANS). Electrocardiograms were recorded to determine HR, low-frequency (LF) power, high-frequency (HF) power, and LF/HF ratio. During TRANS, HR was significantly greater than during REST and V + E. There was a significant increase during VAN compared with REST. These results demonstrated that restraint inside the transport vehicle was one of the major stressors that may cause physiological changes during transportation.
©2022 The Japanese Society of Equine Science.
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Publication Date: 2022-04-19 PubMed ID: 35510074PubMed Central: PMC9018462DOI: 10.1294/jes.33.13Google 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 evaluated how transportation and confinement in a vehicle affect the heart rate and heart rate variability of Thoroughbred horses. The researchers found that restraint within a transport vehicle was a significant stressor which could lead to changes in the horse’s physiological state.

Objective of the Study

  • The main purpose of this research was to understand the impact of transportation and restriction within a vehicle on a Thoroughbred’s heart rate and heart rate variability. This was imperative as transportation of such animals often requires confinement within a moving vehicle, and the effect of such an environment on their health had not yet been adequately documented.

Methodology

  • The study was carried out with eight healthy Thoroughbreds. The horses underwent four conditions for a sprinkled duration of 30 minutes: resting in a stall (REST), confinement within a van (VAN), confinement within a van with the engine running (V + E), and while on a road transport journey (TRANS).
  • The researchers used Electrocardiograms (ECGs) to record the horses’ heart rate, low-frequency (LF) power, high-frequency (HF) power, and LF/HF ratio.

Results of the Study

  • Results confirmed that during transportation (TRANS), the horses’ heart rates were significantly higher than when they were resting (REST) and when they were in the van with the engine running (V + E).
  • The heart rate in the VAN condition was also significantly higher than the REST condition, implying that the stress of restraint within a vehicle was a key factor leading to physiological changes in the horse.
  • The results of both the LF and HF powers and the LF/HF ratio weren’t mentioned within the abstract, an important detail since these are components of heart rate variability, a critical assesment of an animals’ physiological stress.

Significance of the Study

  • This study gave important insights into the stress that Thoroughbred horses undergo during transportation. As horses are frequently transported for various reasons (including for racing, breeding, and veterinary care), understanding the physiological stress they experience in these situations can help in formulating ways to minimize the stress and ensure better equine health.
  • By indicating that restraint within a vehicle is a major stressor, the study suggests that better transportation measures and vehicle designs could be looked into, to lessen the physical stress on horses during transportation.

Cite This Article

APA
Ohmura H, Hiraga A. (2022). Effect of restraint inside the transport vehicle on heart rate and heart rate variability in Thoroughbred horses. J Equine Sci, 33(1), 13-17. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.33.13

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 1
Pages: 13-17

Researcher Affiliations

Ohmura, Hajime
  • Sports Science Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan.
Hiraga, Atsushi
  • Sports Science Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
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