FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2007; (36); 274-278; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05552.x

Hormone response to training and competition in athletic horses.

Abstract: It is recognised that the amount of psychological stress that an animal encounters determines the degree of response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In human athletes, the added emotive stress of competition is an important element in the adrenal response. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of show-jumping as well as dressage on stress levels by comparing horses' stress response at a horse show compared to their familiar home. Methods: Fifty-one horses involved in competition were used. EDTA blood samples were collected before exercise, upon arrived to the schooling area (control), and k over a jump or dressage course. After sampling, plasma was separated and stored at -80 degrees C until determinations of cortisol and ACTH were performed. Fourteen healthy horses not involved in competition were used as control group. Results: Competition induced a significant increase in cortisol and ACTH responses in both, jumping and dressage horses and this effect was more apparent in dressage horses. When horses were most experienced, cortisol and ACTH responses were much lower. Conclusions: This study shows that competition elicits a classic physiological stress response in horses and that different training programmes induce different responses. It suggests that horses involved in competition can provide a good model to study the exercise-induced stress response.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2007-04-04 PubMed ID: 17402431DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05552.xGoogle 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.

The study looks into the stress levels of athletic horses in competitions using hormonal responses as the measure. It finds that competition indeed incites a stress response, more noticeably in dressage horses than in show-jumpers, and that more experienced horses exhibit lower stress responses.

Research Methods

In the study, the research team used fifty-one competitive horses, specifically those involved in show-jumping and dressage.

  • The horses’ stress responses were measured in a competition setting and then compared to their stress levels while in a familiar environment.
  • Blood samples were collected at various points: before exercise, upon arrival to the school area, and after completing either a show-jumping or a dressage course.
  • The plasma was separated from the collected blood samples and stored at -80 degrees Celsius until tests could be run for levels of cortisol and ACTH, hormones associated with stress.
  • A group of fourteen healthy horses that were not involved in competition served as the control group.

Results of the Study

The results indicated a few key findings from the measured levels of cortisol and ACTH:

  • There was a significant increase in these hormone levels in both performance categories of horses during competition.
  • Dressage horses displayed a more pronounced stress response compared to jumping horses.
  • Those horses which had more experience and exposure to the competition had much lower stress responses, showing that experience might mitigate the impact of competition-induced stress.

Conclusion and Implications

The paper concludes that competitive environments incite a typical physiological stress response in horses, and the type of training the horses undergo causes different stress responses. These findings could significantly inform the training protocols and routines for competition horses, aiming at reducing their stress for improved performance and welfare.

Moreover, the document suggests that competition horses could be a useful model for studying exercise-induced stress responses, opening a potential research avenue for understanding human athletic stress.

Cite This Article

APA
Cayado P, Muñoz-Escassi B, Domínguez C, Manley W, Olabarri B, Sánchez de la Muela M, Castejon F, Marañon G, Vara E. (2007). Hormone response to training and competition in athletic horses. Equine Vet J Suppl(36), 274-278. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05552.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 36
Pages: 274-278

Researcher Affiliations

Cayado, P
  • Hospital SL., Madrid, Spain.
Muñoz-Escassi, B
    Domínguez, C
      Manley, W
        Olabarri, B
          Sánchez de la Muela, M
            Castejon, F
              Marañon, G
                Vara, E

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / blood
                  • Animals
                  • Case-Control Studies
                  • Horses / blood
                  • Horses / physiology
                  • Horses / psychology
                  • Hydrocortisone / blood
                  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
                  • Sports
                  • Stress, Psychological

                  Citations

                  This article has been cited 30 times.
                  1. Bolesławska-Szubartowska J, Kucharczuk M, Skrabska A, Zbysław A, Adamowicz J, Alszko A, Domagalska-Stomska K, Durska M, Dziekcierów A, Janiszewska Z, Korzeniowska R, Kraujutowicz K, Kulesza K, Marciniak P, Pacyna Z, Przeborowska J, Siwek Z, Leonard M, Rapacz-Leonard A. Introducing an Innovative Pain Scale for Assessing Postpartum Pain in Mares: Preliminary Clinical Evaluation. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 30;15(23).
                    doi: 10.3390/ani15233454pubmed: 41375512google scholar: lookup
                  2. Hennes N, Tutin L, Foury A, Vancassel S, Bourguignon H, Duluard A, Ruet A, Lansade L. Exploring the association between stress-related hormonal changes, behaviours and facial movements after an interval training exercise in French Standardbred. PLoS One 2025;20(11):e0328430.
                    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0328430pubmed: 41191577google scholar: lookup
                  3. Menzies-Gow NJ. Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction. Vet Sci 2025 Aug 20;12(8).
                    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12080780pubmed: 40872730google scholar: lookup
                  4. Sedeño J, Ruiz S, Martín G, Gardón JC. Hematological, Enzymatic, and Endocrine Response to Intense Exercise in Lidia Breed Cattle During the Roping Bull Bullfighting Celebration. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 6;15(15).
                    doi: 10.3390/ani15152303pubmed: 40805093google scholar: lookup
                  5. Krieber J, Nowak AC, Geissberger J, Illichmann O, Macho-Maschler S, Palme R, Dengler F. Fecal Cortisol Metabolites Indicate Increased Stress Levels in Horses During Breaking-In: A Pilot Study. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jun 7;15(12).
                    doi: 10.3390/ani15121693pubmed: 40564245google scholar: lookup
                  6. Cravana C, Medica P, Fazio E, Satué K, Brancato G, La Fauci D, Bruschetta G. Circulating ACTH and Cortisol Investigations in Standardbred Racehorses Under Training and Racing Sessions. Vet Sci 2025 May 19;12(5).
                    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12050493pubmed: 40431586google scholar: lookup
                  7. Rişvanli A, Şen İ, Canuzakov K, Tulobayev A, Taş A, Salykov R, Ceylan N, Türkçapar Ü, Alimov U, Kazakbayeva A, Cunuşova A, Abdimnap Uulu N, Yuksel BF, Turanli M, Uz M, Bayraktar M, Ruzikulov N. The Effect of Victory and Defeat on the Correlations of Stress Parameters Between the Horse and Rider in Kök-Börü Equestrian Teams. Vet Med Sci 2025 May;11(3):e70356.
                    doi: 10.1002/vms3.70356pubmed: 40273095google scholar: lookup
                  8. Lindqvist A, Nyman G, Rydén A, Wattle O. Effect of an adjustable ceiling to prevent premature rising attempts after general anesthesia in healthy ponies and horses: A pilot study. Vet Surg 2025 Jul;54(5):851-859.
                    doi: 10.1111/vsu.14181pubmed: 39887480google scholar: lookup
                  9. Lertratanachai S, Poochipakorn C, Sanigavatee K, Huangsaksri O, Wonghanchao T, Charoenchanikran P, Lawsirirat C, Chanda M. Cortisol levels, heart rate, and autonomic responses in horses during repeated road transport with differently conditioned trucks in a tropical environment. PLoS One 2024;19(9):e0301885.
                    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301885pubmed: 39241089google scholar: lookup
                  10. Poochipakorn C, Wonghanchao T, Sanigavatee K, Chanda M. Stress Responses in Horses Housed in Different Stable Designs during Summer in a Tropical Savanna Climate. Animals (Basel) 2024 Aug 4;14(15).
                    doi: 10.3390/ani14152263pubmed: 39123789google scholar: lookup
                  11. Sanigavatee K, Poochipakorn C, Huangsaksri O, Wonghanchao T, Yalong M, Poungpuk K, Thanaudom K, Chanda M. Hematological and physiological responses in polo ponies with different field-play positions during low-goal polo matches. PLoS One 2024;19(5):e0303092.
                    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303092pubmed: 38753824google scholar: lookup
                  12. Rişvanlı A, Şen İ, Canuzakov K, Tülöbayev A, Taş A, Saklykov R, Ceylan N, Türkçapar Ü, Alimov U, Kazakbayeva A, Cunuşova A, Uulu NA, Yuksel BF, Turanli M, Uz M, Bayraktar M. Physiological and metabolic responses in Kök-Börü horses: Correlations with game outcomes. Vet Med Sci 2024 May;10(3):e1457.
                    doi: 10.1002/vms3.1457pubmed: 38686465google scholar: lookup
                  13. Ayodele BA, Pagel CN, Mackie EJ, Armour F, Yamada S, Zahra P, Courtman N, Whitton RC, Hitchens PL. Differences in bone turnover markers and injury risks between local and international horses: A Victorian Spring Racing Carnival study. Equine Vet J 2025 Mar;57(2):333-346.
                    doi: 10.1111/evj.14098pubmed: 38634210google scholar: lookup
                  14. Massányi M, Halo M, Mlyneková E, Kováčiková E, Tokárová K, Greń A, Massányi P, Halo M. The effect of training load stress on salivary cortisol concentrations, health parameters and hematological parameters in horses. Heliyon 2023 Aug;9(8):e19037.
                    doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19037pubmed: 37636408google scholar: lookup
                  15. Arfuso F, Rizzo M, Giannetto C, Giudice E, Piccione G, Fazio F, Cirincione R, Cassata G, Cicero L. Inflammatory-like status and acute stress response in horses after road transport. Sci Rep 2023 Jun 17;13(1):9858.
                    doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-37069-1pubmed: 37330619google scholar: lookup
                  16. Grzędzicka J, Dąbrowska I, Malin K, Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O. Exercise-related changes in the anabolic index (testosterone to cortisol ratio) and serum amyloid A concentration in endurance and racehorses at different fitness levels. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1148990.
                    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1148990pubmed: 37138908google scholar: lookup
                  17. Holtby AR, McGivney BA, Browne JA, Katz LM, Murphy KJ, Hill EW. Variation in salivary cortisol responses in yearling Thoroughbred racehorses during their first year of training. PLoS One 2023;18(4):e0284102.
                    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284102pubmed: 37023093google scholar: lookup
                  18. Coelho CS, Silva ASBA, Santos CMR, Santos AMR, Vintem CMBL, Leite AG, Fonseca JMC, Prazeres JMCS, Souza VRC, Siqueira RF, Manso Filho HC, Simões JSA. Training Effects on the Stress Predictors for Young Lusitano Horses Used in Dressage. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 6;12(23).
                    doi: 10.3390/ani12233436pubmed: 36496958google scholar: lookup
                  19. Čebulj-Kadunc N, Frangež R, Kruljc P. Fluctuations of Physiological Variables during Conditioning of Lipizzan Fillies before Starting under Saddle. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 25;12(7).
                    doi: 10.3390/ani12070836pubmed: 35405826google scholar: lookup
                  20. de Mira MC, Lamy E, Santos R, Williams J, Pinto MV, Martins PS, Rodrigues P, Marlin D. Salivary cortisol and eye temperature changes during endurance competitions. BMC Vet Res 2021 Oct 14;17(1):329.
                    doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-02985-9pubmed: 34649565google scholar: lookup
                  21. Tsuchiya T, Noda R, Ikeda H, Maeda M, Sato F. Relationship between endogenous plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone concentration and reproductive performance in Thoroughbred broodmares. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Jul;35(4):2002-2008.
                    doi: 10.1111/jvim.16145pubmed: 34028083google scholar: lookup
                  22. Ferlazzo A, Cravana C, Fazio E, Medica P. The different hormonal system during exercise stress coping in horses. Vet World 2020 May;13(5):847-859.
                    doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2020.847-859pubmed: 32636578google scholar: lookup
                  23. Sauer FJ, Hermann M, Ramseyer A, Burger D, Riemer S, Gerber V. Effects of breed, management and personality on cortisol reactivity in sport horses. PLoS One 2019;14(12):e0221794.
                    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221794pubmed: 31790402google scholar: lookup
                  24. Banse HE, Andrews FM. Equine glandular gastric disease: prevalence, impact and management strategies. Vet Med (Auckl) 2019;10:69-76.
                    doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S174427pubmed: 31406687google scholar: lookup
                  25. Sykes BW, Bowen M, Habershon-Butcher JL, Green M, Hallowell GD. Management factors and clinical implications of glandular and squamous gastric disease in horses. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Jan;33(1):233-240.
                    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15350pubmed: 30499188google scholar: lookup
                  26. Banse HE, MacLeod H, Crosby C, Windeyer MC. Prevalence of and risk factors for equine glandular and squamous gastric disease in polo horses. Can Vet J 2018 Aug;59(8):880-884.
                    pubmed: 30104780
                  27. Bohák Z, Harnos A, Joó K, Szenci O, Kovács L. Anticipatory response before competition in Standardbred racehorses. PLoS One 2018;13(8):e0201691.
                    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201691pubmed: 30071079google scholar: lookup
                  28. De Santis M, Contalbrigo L, Borgi M, Cirulli F, Luzi F, Redaelli V, Stefani A, Toson M, Odore R, Vercelli C, Valle E, Farina L. Equine Assisted Interventions (EAIs): Methodological Considerations for Stress Assessment in Horses. Vet Sci 2017 Sep 8;4(3).
                    doi: 10.3390/vetsci4030044pubmed: 29056702google scholar: lookup
                  29. Kang OD, Yun YM. Influence of Horse and Rider on Stress during Horse-riding Lesson Program. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 2016 Jun;29(6):895-900.
                    doi: 10.5713/ajas.15.1068pubmed: 27004819google scholar: lookup
                  30. Yi SS. Effects of exercise on brain functions in diabetic animal models. World J Diabetes 2015 May 15;6(4):583-97.
                    doi: 10.4239/wjd.v6.i4.583pubmed: 25987956google scholar: lookup
                  Subscribe to our newsletter
                  Join 99,780 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.