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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Stress Responses in Horses Housed in Different Stable Design...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2024; 14(15); 2263; doi: 10.3390/ani14152263

Stress Responses in Horses Housed in Different Stable Designs during Summer in a Tropical Savanna Climate.

Abstract: Single-confinement housing can pose welfare risks to domestic horses. This study investigated horses' stress responses when confined to single stalls in different stable designs in a tropical savanna region to address a gap in the literature. In total, 23 horses were assigned to a stable with a central corridor and solid external walls (A) (N = 8), a stable with one side corridor and solid external walls (B) (N = 6), or a stable with a central corridor and no solid external walls (C) (N = 9). Air velocity, relative humidity, air temperature, and noxious gases were measured inside the stables, and the heart rate and HRV of the horses were also determined. The relative humidity was lower in stable C than in stable A ( < 0.05), while the air temperature was higher in stable C than in stable B ( < 0.05) during the day. The airflow and ammonia levels were higher in stable C than in stables B and A ( < 0.01-0.0001). Overall, horses' HRV in stable A was lower than in those in stables B and C ( < 0.05-0.01). Horses in stable A tended to experience more stress than those in other stables.
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Publication Date: 2024-08-04 PubMed ID: 39123789PubMed Central: PMC11311062DOI: 10.3390/ani14152263Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 abstract discusses a research study that focuses on the stress levels in horses when housed in different stable environments, designed differently, in a tropical savanna climate.

Research Purpose and Methodology

  • The goal of the study was to understand the effects of different stable designs on the stress levels of domestic horses, a topic that has not previously been extensively dealt with in literature. It was conducted in a tropical savanna climate where the horses were assigned to three different types of stables: one with a central corridor and solid external walls (stable A), one with one side corridor and solid external walls (stable B), and one with a central corridor but no solid external walls (stable C).
  • The researchers used a variety of measurements to study the horses’ environment, including air velocity, relative humidity, air temperature and exposure to noxious gases. In addition, the researchers also monitored the heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) of the horses as indicators of stress levels.

Findings

  • The researchers found that the relative humidity was lower in stable C than in stable A, while the air temperature was higher in stable C than in stable B during the day. Also, the airflow and ammonia levels, which can affect horses’ breathing and overall well-being, were higher in stable C than in stables B and A.
  • When it came to the horses’ heart rate variability (HRV), a commonly-used indicator of stress and well-being, the horses in stable A had a lower HRV than those in stables B and C. This suggests that the horses in stable A were experiencing more stress.

Conclusion

  • Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that the type of stable design can significantly affect the stress levels of housed horses. Specifically, the horses in stable A, which had a central corridor and solid external walls, seemed to experience more stress than those in other stables under a tropical savanna climate.
  • These insights highlight the importance of considering stable design in maintaining the well-being of horses and may be particularly valuable for horse owners, veterinarians, and stable designers in creating environments that promote horse health and welfare.

Cite This Article

APA
Poochipakorn C, Wonghanchao T, Sanigavatee K, Chanda M. (2024). Stress Responses in Horses Housed in Different Stable Designs during Summer in a Tropical Savanna Climate. Animals (Basel), 14(15), 2263. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14152263

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 15
PII: 2263

Researcher Affiliations

Poochipakorn, Chanoknun
  • Science and Innovation for Animal Health Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Bang Khen Campus, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
  • Thailand Equestrian Federation, Sports Authority of Thailand, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Wonghanchao, Thita
  • Thailand Equestrian Federation, Sports Authority of Thailand, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
  • Center for Veterinary Research and Innovation, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Bang Khen Campus, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
Sanigavatee, Kanokpan
  • Thailand Equestrian Federation, Sports Authority of Thailand, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
  • Center for Veterinary Research and Innovation, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Bang Khen Campus, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
Chanda, Metha
  • Thailand Equestrian Federation, Sports Authority of Thailand, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
  • Center for Veterinary Research and Innovation, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Bang Khen Campus, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.

Grant Funding

  • not applicable / the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Suwannarueang S, Pongkan W, Pontaema T, Kenchaiwong W, Pongthaisong P, Chompoosan C, Lerdweeraphon W. Cardiac adaptations in early equine pregnancy: heart rate elevation without heart rate variability alteration in Thai native crossbred mares. Vet World 2025 Sep;18(9):2590-2597.
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  2. Wonghanchao T, Sanigavatee K, Poochipakorn C, Huangsaksri O, Chanda M. Dynamic Adaptation of Heart Rate and Autonomic Regulation During Training and Recovery Periods in Response to a 12-Week Structured Exercise Programme in Untrained Adult and Geriatric Horses. Animals (Basel) 2025 Apr 13;15(8).
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