FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Veterinary sciences2025; 12(7); 624; doi: 10.3390/vetsci12070624

Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability Are Affected by Age and Activity Level in Athletic Horses.

Abstract: The physiological capabilities of horses begin to decline after they reach 15 years of age. However, some exceptionally talented horses can continue their sports careers beyond this age, raising concerns about their welfare. This study investigated animal welfare by observing resting heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) metrics in geriatric horses participating in similar training or physical activities compared to younger adult horses over 30 min periods. Forty-six horses of varying ages and activity levels were divided into four groups, including horses under 15 years practising structured training for dressage (AL-1; N = 13) and school riding (AL-2; N = 13) and horses aged between 15 and 20 years participating in AL-1 (N = 10) and AL-2 (N = 10). In adult horses, the HR decreased in those performing AL-1, which was observed alongside an increased RR interval compared to those participating in AL-2 ( < 0.05 for both). Meanwhile, HRV increased in adult horses (measured by pNN50) but decreased in geriatric horses (measured by SDANN, SDNNI, DC, and SD2) participating in AL-1 when compared to their counterparts in AL-2 ( < 0.05 for all). Adult horses exhibited better autonomic regulation while engaged in structured dressage training than geriatric horses. These findings underscore the necessity for the careful management of physical activities to ensure the well-being of all horses, particularly older ones.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2025-06-28 PubMed ID: 40711284PubMed Central: PMC12298298DOI: 10.3390/vetsci12070624Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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 article investigates the effects of age and activity level on the heart rate and heart rate variability in athletic horses. The findings emphasize the need for careful management of physical activities in horses, particularly older ones.

Study Overview

The central aim of the study was to determine the impact of age and level of physical activity on the heart rate and heart rate variability of athletic horses. The research team analyzed heart rate data from 46 horses of varying ages and activity levels, which were divided into four groups.

  • Group AL-1 included horses below 15 years old who were engaged in structured training for dressage.
  • Group AL-2 was made up of horses under the age of 15 years who were involved in school riding.
  • The researchers identified two more groups of horses between 15 and 20 years old, also divided into Groups AL-1 and AL-2 based on their activities.

Findings on Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability

The research found significant differences in heart rate and heart rate variability between adult and older (geriatric) horses.

  • Reductions in heart rate were observed in adult horses engaged in structured dressage training (Group AL-1), along with increased RR intervals compared to the horses involved in school riding (Group AL-2).
  • Heart rate variability increased in adult horses (pNN50) but reduced in geriatric horses (measured by metrics like SDANN, SDNNI, DC, and SD2) involved in dressage training (Group AL-1) when compared to their counterparts in group AL-2.

Implications of the Findings

The study concludes that adult horses exhibit better autonomic regulation when involved in structured dressage training as compared to older horses. This discrepancy highlights the importance of carefully managing physical activities for horse wellbeing, particular attention must be given to older horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Wonghanchao T, Sanigavatee K, Petchdee S, Chettaratanont K, Thongyen T, Wanichayanon B, Poochipakorn C, Chanda M. (2025). Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability Are Affected by Age and Activity Level in Athletic Horses. Vet Sci, 12(7), 624. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12070624

Publication

Veterinary sciences
ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 7
PII: 624

Researcher Affiliations

Wonghanchao, Thita
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
Sanigavatee, Kanokpan
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
Petchdee, Soontaree
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
Chettaratanont, Kulpreeya
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
Thongyen, Thitakorn
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
Wanichayanon, Boonbaramee
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
Poochipakorn, Chanoknun
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
Chanda, Metha
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.

Grant Funding

  • VET.KU2025 - 02 / the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; the writing of the manuscript; or the decision to publish the results.

References

This article includes 52 references
  1. Fédération Equestre Internationale The FEI Database. 2025. [(accessed on 17 April 2025)]. Available online: https://data.fei.org/default.aspx.
  2. McGowan C. Welfare of Aged Horses. Animals 2011;1:366–376.
    doi: 10.3390/ani1040366pmc: PMC4513472pubmed: 26486621google scholar: lookup
  3. McKeever K.H., Eaton T.L., Geiser S., Kearns C.F., Lehnhard R.A.. Age related decreases in thermoregulation and cardiovascular function in horses. Equine Vet. J. 2010;42:220–227.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00259.xpubmed: 21059010google scholar: lookup
  4. Walker A., Arent S.M., McKeever K.H.. Maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) in horses: A retrospective study to identify the age-related decline. Comp. Exerc. Physiol. 2009;6:177–181.
    doi: 10.1017/S1755254010000073google scholar: lookup
  5. Kim J.-s., Hinchcliff K.W., Yamaguchi M., Beard L.A., Markert C.D., Devor S.T.. Age-related changes in metabolic properties of equine skeletal muscle associated with muscle plasticity. Vet. J. 2005;169:397–403.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.03.016pubmed: 15848782google scholar: lookup
  6. Fukuda T., Kikuchi M., Kurotaki T., Oyamada T., Yoshikawa H., Yoshikawa T.. Age-related changes in the testes of horses. Equine Vet. J. 2001;33:20–25.
    doi: 10.2746/042516401776767449pubmed: 11191605google scholar: lookup
  7. Paradis M.R.. Demographics of health and disease in the geriatric horse. Vet. Clin. Equine Pract. 2002;18:391–401.
    doi: 10.1016/S0749-0739(02)00021-4pubmed: 12516924google scholar: lookup
  8. Harrington McKeever K.. Aging and how it affects the physiological response to exercise in the horse. Clin. Tech. Equine Pract. 2003;2:258–265.
    doi: 10.1053/S1534-7516(03)00068-4google scholar: lookup
  9. Rietmann T.R., Stuart A.E.A., Bernasconi P., Staﾬher M., Auer J.A., Weishaupt M.A.. Assessment of mental stress in warmblood horses: Heart rate variability in comparison to heart rate and selected behavioural parameters. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2004;88:121–136.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2004.02.016google scholar: lookup
  10. Wonghanchao T., Sanigavatee K., Poochipakorn C., Huangsaksri O., Chanda M.. Dynamic Adaptation of Heart Rate and Autonomic Regulation During Training and Recovery Periods in Response to a 12-Week Structured Exercise Programme in Untrained Adult and Geriatric Horses. Animals 2025;15:1122.
    doi: 10.3390/ani15081122pmc: PMC12024113pubmed: 40281956google scholar: lookup
  11. Nyerges-Bohák Z., Nagy K., Rózsa L., Póti P., Kovács L.. Heart rate variability before and after 14 weeks of training in Thoroughbred horses and Standardbred trotters with different training experience. PLoS ONE 2021;16:e0259933.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259933pmc: PMC8659354pubmed: 34882704google scholar: lookup
  12. Sanigavatee K., Poochipakorn C., Huangsaksri O., Vichitkraivin S., Pakdeelikhit S., Chotiyothin W., Wongkosoljit S., Wonghanchao T., Chanda M.. A structured exercise regimen enhances autonomic function compared to unstructured physical activities in geriatric horses. Sci. Rep. 2025;15:2493.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-86679-4pmc: PMC11747292pubmed: 39833241google scholar: lookup
  13. Kim H.-G., Cheon E.-J., Bai D.-S., Lee Y.H., Koo B.-H.. Stress and Heart Rate Variability: A Meta-Analysis and Review of the Literature. Psychiatry Investig. 2018;15:235–245.
    doi: 10.30773/pi.2017.08.17pmc: PMC5900369pubmed: 29486547google scholar: lookup
  14. Thayer J.F., Åhs F., Fredrikson M., Sollers J.J., Wager T.D.. A meta-analysis of heart rate variability and neuroimaging studies: Implications for heart rate variability as a marker of stress and health. Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 2012;36:747–756.
    doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2011.11.009pubmed: 22178086google scholar: lookup
  15. Schiweck C., Piette D., Berckmans D., Claes S., Vrieze E.. Heart rate and high frequency heart rate variability during stress as biomarker for clinical depression. A systematic review. Psychol. Med. 2019;49:200–211.
    doi: 10.1017/S0033291718001988pubmed: 30134999google scholar: lookup
  16. Levy W.C., Cerqueira M.D., Harp G.D., Johannessen K.-A., Abrass I.B., Schwartz R.S., Stratton J.R.. Effect of endurance exercise training on heart rate variability at rest in healthy young and older men. Am. J. Cardiol. 1998;82:1236–1241.
    doi: 10.1016/S0002-9149(98)00611-0pubmed: 9832101google scholar: lookup
  17. Gehlen H., Faust M.-D., Grzeskowiak R.M., Trachsel D.S.. Association between Disease Severity, Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Serum Cortisol Concentrations in Horses with Acute Abdominal Pain. Animals 2020;10:1563.
    doi: 10.3390/ani10091563pmc: PMC7552187pubmed: 32887514google scholar: lookup
  18. Mitchell K.J., Schwarzwald C.C.. Heart rate variability analysis in horses for the diagnosis of arrhythmias. Vet. J. 2021;268:105590.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2020.105590pubmed: 33468305google scholar: lookup
  19. Stucke D., Große Ruse M., Lebelt D.. Measuring heart rate variability in horses to investigate the autonomic nervous system activity—Pros and cons of different methods. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2015;166:1–10.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2015.02.007google scholar: lookup
  20. von Borell E., Langbein J., Després G., Hansen S., Leterrier C., Marchant J., Marchant-Forde R., Minero M., Mohr E., Prunier A.. Heart rate variability as a measure of autonomic regulation of cardiac activity for assessing stress and welfare in farm animals—A review. Physiol. Behav. 2007;92:293–316.
    doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2007.01.007pubmed: 17320122google scholar: lookup
  21. Shaffer F., Ginsberg J.P.. An Overview of Heart Rate Variability Metrics and Norms. Front. Public Health 2017;5:258.
    doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00258pmc: PMC5624990pubmed: 29034226google scholar: lookup
  22. Shaffer F., McCraty R., Zerr C.L.. A healthy heart is not a metronome: An integrative review of the heart’s anatomy and heart rate variability. Front. Psychol. 2014;5:1040.
    doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01040pmc: PMC4179748pubmed: 25324790google scholar: lookup
  23. McCraty R., Zayas M.A.. Cardiac coherence, self-regulation, autonomic stability, and psychosocial well-being. Front. Psychol. 2014;5:1090.
    doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01090pmc: PMC4179616pubmed: 25324802google scholar: lookup
  24. Singh N., Moneghetti K.J., Christle J.W., Hadley D., Froelicher V., Plews D.. Heart Rate Variability: An Old Metric with New Meaning in the Era of Using mHealth technologies for Health and Exercise Training Guidance. Part Two: Prognosis and Training. Arrhythmia Electrophysiol. Rev. 2018;7:247–255.
    doi: 10.15420/aer.2018.30.2pmc: PMC6304793pubmed: 30588312google scholar: lookup
  25. Reid K., Rogers C.W., Gronqvist G., Gee E.K., Bolwell C.F.. Anxiety and pain in horses measured by heart rate variability and behavior. J. Vet. Behav. 2017;22:1–6.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2017.09.002google scholar: lookup
  26. Ohmura H., Jones J.H.. Changes in heart rate and heart rate variability as a function of age in Thoroughbred horses. J. Equine Sci. 2017;28:99–103.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.28.99pmc: PMC5608962pubmed: 28955161google scholar: lookup
  27. Janczarek I., Kędzierski W., Wilk I., Wnuk–Pawlak E., Rakowska A.. Comparison of daily heart rate variability in old and young horses: A preliminary study. J. Vet. Behav. 2020;38:1–7.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2020.05.005google scholar: lookup
  28. Sanigavatee K., Poochipakorn C., Huangsaksri O., Wonghanchao T., Rodkruta N., Chanprame S., Wiwatwongwana T., Chanda M.. Comparison of daily heart rate and heart rate variability in trained and sedentary aged horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2024;137:105094.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105094pubmed: 38750946google scholar: lookup
  29. Frippiat T., van Beckhoven C., Moyse E., Art T.. Accuracy of a heart rate monitor for calculating heart rate variability parameters in exercising horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2021;104:103716.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103716pubmed: 34416992google scholar: lookup
  30. Kapteijn C.M., Frippiat T., van Beckhoven C., van Lith H.A., Endenburg N., Vermetten E., Rodenburg T.B.. Measuring heart rate variability using a heart rate monitor in horses (Equus caballus) during groundwork. Front. Vet. Sci. 2022;9:939534.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.939534pmc: PMC9723354pubmed: 36483490google scholar: lookup
  31. Ille N., Erber R., Aurich C., Aurich J.. Comparison of heart rate and heart rate variability obtained by heart rate monitors and simultaneously recorded electrocardiogram signals in nonexercising horses. J. Vet. Behav. 2014;9:341–346.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2014.07.006google scholar: lookup
  32. Mott R., Dowell F., Evans N.. Use of the Polar V800 and Actiheart 5 heart rate monitors for the assessment of heart rate variability (HRV) in horses. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2021;241:105401.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105401google scholar: lookup
  33. Cohen J.. Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences. 2013 p. 567.
  34. Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology the North American Society of Pacing Electrophysiology. Heart Rate Variability. Circulation 1996;93:1043–1065.
    doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.93.5.1043pubmed: 8598068google scholar: lookup
  35. Eggensperger B.H., Schwarzwald C.C.. Influence of 2nd-degree AV blocks, ECG recording length, and recording time on heart rate variability analyses in horses. J. Vet. Cardiol. 2017;19:160–174.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jvc.2016.10.006pubmed: 28117225google scholar: lookup
  36. Berntson G.G., Stowell J.R.. ECG artifacts and heart period variability: Don’t miss a beat!. Psychophysiology 1998;35:127–132.
    doi: 10.1111/1469-8986.3510127pubmed: 9499713google scholar: lookup
  37. Lipponen J.A., Tarvainen M.P.. A robust algorithm for heart rate variability time series artefact correction using novel beat classification. J. Med. Eng. Technol. 2019;43:173–181.
    doi: 10.1080/03091902.2019.1640306pubmed: 31314618google scholar: lookup
  38. Gleerup K.B., Forkman B., Lindegaard C., Andersen P.H.. An equine pain face. Vet. Anaesth. Analg. 2015;42:103–114.
    doi: 10.1111/vaa.12212pmc: PMC4312484pubmed: 25082060google scholar: lookup
  39. Dalla Costa E., Dai F., Lebelt D., Scholz P., Barbieri S., Canali E., Zanella A.J., Minero M.. Welfare assessment of horses: The AWIN approach. Anim. Welf. 2016;25:481–488.
    doi: 10.7120/09627286.25.4.481google scholar: lookup
  40. Visser E.K., Ellis A.D., Van Reenen C.G.. The effect of two different housing conditions on the welfare of young horses stabled for the first time. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2008;114:521–533.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2008.03.003google scholar: lookup
  41. Visser E.K., van Reenen C.G., van der Werf J.T.N., Schilder M.B.H., Knaap J.H., Barneveld A., Blokhuis H.J.. Heart rate and heart rate variability during a novel object test and a handling test in young horses. Physiol. Behav. 2002;76:289–296.
    doi: 10.1016/S0031-9384(02)00698-4pubmed: 12044602google scholar: lookup
  42. Porges S.W.. Cardiac vagal tone: A physiological index of stress. Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 1995;19:225–233.
    doi: 10.1016/0149-7634(94)00066-Apubmed: 7630578google scholar: lookup
  43. Mendonça T., Bienboire-Frosini C., Kowalczyk I., Leclercq J., Arroub S., Pageat P.. Equine Activities Influence Horses’ Responses to Different Stimuli: Could This Have an Impact on Equine Welfare?. Animals 2019;9:290.
    doi: 10.3390/ani9060290pmc: PMC6616897pubmed: 31146422google scholar: lookup
  44. Nyerges-Bohák Z., Kovács L., Povázsai Á., Hamar E., Póti P., Ladányi M.. Heart rate variability in horses with and without severe equine asthma. Equine Vet. J. 2025;57:611–618.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14414pmc: PMC11982436pubmed: 39275917google scholar: lookup
  45. Berger M., Pichot V., Solelhac G., Marques-Vidal P., Haba-Rubio J., Vollenweider P., Waeber G., Preisig M., Barthélémy J.-C., Roche F.. Association between nocturnal heart rate variability and incident cardiovascular disease events: The HypnoLaus population-based study. Heart Rhythm 2022;19:632–639.
    doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2021.11.033pubmed: 34864166google scholar: lookup
  46. Takase B.. Role of Heart Rate Variability in Non-Invasive Electrophysiology: Prognostic Markers of Cardiovascular Disease. J. Arrhythm. 2010;26:227–237.
    doi: 10.1016/S1880-4276(10)80021-3google scholar: lookup
  47. Ireland J.L., Clegg P.D., McGowan C.M., Duncan J.S., McCall S., Platt L., Pinchbeck G.L.. Owners’ perceptions of quality of life in geriatric horses: A cross-sectional study. Anim. Welf. 2011;20:483–495.
    doi: 10.1017/S0962728600003122google scholar: lookup
  48. Pérez Manrique L., Hudson R., Bánszegi O., Szenczi P.. Individual differences in behavior and heart rate variability across the preweaning period in the domestic horse in response to an ecologically relevant stressor. Physiol. Behav. 2019;210:112652.
    doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.112652pubmed: 31419447google scholar: lookup
  49. Ellis A.D., Stephenson M., Preece M., Harris P.. A novel approach to systematically compare behavioural patterns between and within groups of horses. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2014;161:60–74.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.09.017google scholar: lookup
  50. Physick-Sheard P.W., Marlin D.J., Thornhill R., Schroter R.C.. Frequency domain analysis of heart rate variability in horses at rest and during exercise. Equine Vet. J. 2000;32:253–262.
    doi: 10.2746/042516400776563572pubmed: 10836482google scholar: lookup
  51. Kuwahara M., Hiraga A., Kai M., Tsubone H., Sugano S.. Influence of training on autonomic nervous function in horses: Evaluation by power spectral analysis of heart rate variability. Equine Vet. J. 1999;31:178–180.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05213.xpubmed: 10659247google scholar: lookup
  52. Ohmura H., Boscan P.L., Solano A.M., Stanley S.D., Jones J.H.. Changes in heart rate, heart rate variability, and atrioventricular block during withholding of food in Thoroughbreds. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 2012;73:508–514.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.73.4.508pubmed: 22452497google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,658 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.