Heart rate, heart rate variability and behaviour of horses during air transport.

This research article investigates the heart rate, heart rate variability, and behavioral responses of nine horses during an eight-hour air flight from The Netherlands to New York. It uncovers the direct correlation between substantial heart rate changes and stressful stages of air travel which include loading into the jet stall and the aircraft, taxiing, and turbulence. It also indicates the limitations of heart rate variability data and the necessity for additional tools to assess stress in horses during transit accurately.

Research Methodology

• The study encompassed heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and behavior score (BS) measurements from nine horses during an eight-hour air travel event.
• HR and HRV parameters were consistently calculated every five minutes throughout the journey.
• An evaluation was conducted during different stages of travel – loading into the jet stall, loading into the aircraft, taxiing, transit, and periods of in-flight turbulence.

Research Findings

• Mean HRs observed were significantly higher during stress-inducing events such as loading into the jet stall and aircraft, taxiing, and in-flight turbulence than during transit.
• Individual horses exhibited differences in mean and peak HRs during flight, providing evidence for individual-based stress reactions.
• The study found no significant differences in heart rate variability data between either different stages of air travel or between individual horses. This emphasizes caution when considering HRV data to assess stress or distress in horses.
• Behavioral scores were highest during turbulence. But visible behavior did not always correlate with HR measurements, indicating some horses do not outwardly express stress despite having higher heart rates.

Implications of the Research

• The research shows that loading into the jet stall created the highest increase in HR, marking it as the most stress-inducing event for the horses.
• The study infers HR during transit was generally equitable to resting rates and that air travel is less stressful for horses compared to road transport, as suggested by previous studies.
• Finally, it is important to note that not every horse showed stress through evident behavior, suggesting the need for additional measurements like HR to assess stress reliably in horses during travel.