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Impact of a Riding Event and Ambient Temperature on the Heart Rate of Gotlandsruss Ponies.
Abstract: Visitors to zoos present unpredictable visual and auditory stimulation for captive animals. Coupled with high ambient temperatures this might prove stressful for animals involved in human interactions. This study aims to determine if Gotlandsruss ponies are stressed by visitors during a childrens riding event at Slottsskogen, a zoo park, in Gothenburg, Sweden and whether ambient temperature also had an impact. Decibel level, temperature, and the ponies heart rate were monitored during the event. Each pony's maximum rate during exercise and resting heart rate were measured to compare with heart rates during the riding event. The impact of sound from visitors and environmental temperature on heart rate was also investigated. The ponies' heart rate during the event would not suggest that they find the event stressful. The resting heart rate was equal that measured on their break during the event and the event heart rate was much lower than that during exercise. Only a few significant correlations could be found between decibel level and heart rate measures, suggesting sound was not an important factor. Temperature and heart rate were however correlated, thus heart rate does increase with temperature. Since the thermal conditions affected heart rate, facilities holding such events should consider methods of increasing shadow coverage for the animals, as well as a temperature limit after which the event will pause for a time. Ambient temperature affected Gotlandsruss ponies, thus providing animals opportunities to cool down in warmer conditions may increase animal welfare.
© 2026 The Author(s). Zoo Biology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Publication Date: 2026-10-01 PubMed ID: 42820709DOI: 10.1002/zoo.70112Google 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.
- Journal Article
Summary
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Summary
- This study investigated whether Gotlandsruss ponies are stressed by visitors during a children’s riding event at a zoo and whether ambient temperature affects their heart rates.
- Results showed that the ponies did not appear stressed by the event itself, but higher temperatures were linked to increased heart rates.
Introduction and Purpose
- Zoo animals are often exposed to unpredictable stimuli such as noise and visual disturbances from visitors, which can be stressful.
- Children’s riding events create human-animal interactions that might add stress, especially combined with environmental factors like heat.
- The study aimed to assess:
- If Gotlandsruss ponies felt stressed by visitors during a riding event at Slottsskogen zoo park in Gothenburg, Sweden.
- How ambient temperature and noise (decibel levels) influenced the ponies’ heart rates.
Methods
- Measurements taken included:
- Decibel (sound) levels during the event to quantify visitor noise.
- Ambient temperature throughout the event.
- Ponies’ heart rates during the event, rest, and exercise.
- Resting heart rate and maximum heart rate during exercise were recorded for each pony to provide baseline comparisons.
- Correlation analyses were done to investigate relationships between:
- Heart rate and decibel levels (sound intensity).
- Heart rate and ambient temperature.
Key Findings
- Heart rate during the riding event was similar to the resting heart rate measured during breaks, and was significantly lower than during exercise, suggesting the ponies were not physiologically stressed by the event.
- There were only a few significant correlations between heart rate and noise levels, indicating that visitor sound was not a major stress factor for the ponies during the event.
- Ambient temperature had a clear correlation with heart rate — as temperature increased, so did the ponies’ heart rates.
Implications
- Since heat appears to raise ponies’ heart rates (a possible stress indicator), zoo facilities and event organizers should consider measures to reduce thermal stress, such as:
- Increasing available shade and shelter to help animals stay cool during events.
- Implementing temperature thresholds to pause or modify events when it becomes too warm.
- Providing opportunities for the ponies to cool down during warm conditions could improve their overall welfare.
Conclusion
- The study concludes that Gotlandsruss ponies do not seem stressed by visitor presence at the children’s riding event, but ambient temperature influences their physiological responses.
- Environmental temperature is an important consideration for animal welfare in outdoor zoo events, emphasizing the need for preventive steps against heat stress.
Cite This Article
APA
Ahl E, Thelin L, Sneddon LU.
(2026).
Impact of a Riding Event and Ambient Temperature on the Heart Rate of Gotlandsruss Ponies.
Zoo Biol.
https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.70112 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Göteborgs Stad, Slottsskogens djurpark, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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