Stress response after race and endurance training sessions and competitions in Arabian horses.

The study assesses the impact of racing and endurance training on the stress levels in Arabian horses, measured via blood cortisol concentration. The study suggests that intense physical activity such as competition events results in greater stress responses and therefore should be limited to ensure optimal welfare of the horses.

Objective of the Study

• The primary goal of this study was to investigate the influence of different physical activities’ intensity and nature, specifically racing and endurance training, on Arabian horses’ stress levels, measured via peripheral blood cortisol concentration.

Methodology

• This longitudinal study involved a total of 30 untrained Arabians horses. These included 21 race horses and 9 endurance horses.
• Blood samples were collected every three weeks from the racing horses during 4 training sessions and 2 races. The endurance horses had their blood samples taken monthly after 2 training sessions and 1 competition.
• Researchers measured cortisol concentration during rest and 30 minutes after physical effort.
• The racing horses were divided into two groups based on their performance: the best performers and the worst performers.

Results and Findings

• As per the results, cortisol concentration significantly increased after race training and competition in both groups of horses. However, the increase was more intensive in competitions than during training sessions.
• In the case of racing horses, there was a tendency for a gradual increase in cortisol levels after subsequent training during the racing season. However, the starting gate did not affect cortisol concentration.
• Interestingly, the top-performing race horses experienced a smaller increase in cortisol concentration after the race compared to those with worse performance. However, the difference in post-race cortisol concentration between these two groups was not statistically significant.

Conclusion and Implications

• The findings suggest that an optimal training program can trigger a stress response, which is unlikely to harm the athlete’s welfare.
• The study points out that high-intensity efforts associated with competition events result in greater stress responses, both in racing and endurance horses. As such, to ensure optimal animal welfare, the frequency of such events should be moderated.
• The study also indicates that horses with better performance are more adaptable to physical activity, given they experience less increase in cortisol concentration after the race.