Natural Horse Boarding Vs Traditional Stable: A Comparison of Hormonal, Hematological and Immunological Parameters.

This research study compares the impacts of traditional horse stabling and natural horse boarding on hormonal, hematological, and immunological parameters in horses. The findings suggest that horses in natural boarding conditions have lower stress levels and improved welfare, pointing to the need for changes in horse management practices.

Introduction to the Study

• The study focuses on two distinct methods of horse management: traditional stabling which often involves restricted movement and individual isolation, and natural boarding which employs a more free-roaming and social environment for the horses.
• The researchers aimed to draw a comparison by measuring and observing the hormonal, hematological, and immunological changes in horses housed under these different conditions.
• They sampled blood and horsehair from 47 horses for these comparisons.

Methods Used in the Study

• Blood and horsehair samples were collected from 47 horses.
• The researchers evaluated the concentrations of two hormones (DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, and cortisol) via radioimmunoassay (RIA) to measure stress levels in the horses.
• These hormonal parameters are commonly used indicators of the animals’ stress conditions and overall welfare.
• Blood count was conducted to provide a general picture of the horses’ health status.
• Lymphocyte subpopulations were identified using a method called flow cytometry, which is used to investigate the immune system of these animals.

Key Findings of the Study

• The study found a significantly higher concentration of DHEA and significantly lower levels of cortisol and cortisol/DHEA ratio in the horsehair of horses kept in natural boarding conditions.
• This indicates a lower stress level and overall better welfare in hoses kept under natural boarding versus those in a traditional stable.
• The results suggest that the natural boarding style is more in line with the ethological (behavioral) and physiological needs of horses.
• Additionally, the study conclusively demonstrated, for the first time, that measuring DHEA in horse hair is a valid testing methodology.

Implications and Conclusion

• The study calls for a reevaluation of traditional horse husbandry systems, given the evidence of the more positive outcomes associated with the practice of natural horse boarding.
• Through its findings, the research suggests that the welfare of horses can be elevated by modifying current management systems to more naturally align with their instinctive behavioural and physiological needs.