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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(4); 642; doi: 10.3390/ani10040642

Temporary Relocation during Rest Periods: Relocation Stress and Other Factors Influence Hair Cortisol Concentrations in Horses.

Abstract: Horse transportation for temporary relocation during rest periods is a common and widespread practice among horse owners, either from sport competition or working tasks. This study aimed to determine the effect of a relocation period and the multiple factors associated with a rest period on hair cortisol concentrations (HCCs) in horses. Additionally, this study reports the seasonal effect on HCCs and hair growth over a year. Thirteen police horses, Pure Spanish stallions of various ages (5-13 y), were selected to participate in this study. Hair sample collection was carried out approximately every 30 d for seven months (Study 1) and a year (Study 2). Cortisol determinations were performed by enzyme immunoassay. Interestingly, Study 1 revealed that relocated horses ( = 4) exhibited elevated HCCs compared with control horses ( = 4) after the relocation period ( < 0.05). Study 2 ( = 5) showed higher HCCs during summer compared with autumn and winter, and higher hair growth rates in winter compared with the other seasons ( < 0.05). Relocated horses had higher HCCs, suggesting a change in their welfare status, probably related to the sudden change in their surrounding conditions. However, these results should be interpreted cautiously due to the low sample size used. The nature of the relationship between HCCs and horse welfare needs to be further examined.
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Publication Date: 2020-04-08 PubMed ID: 32276388PubMed Central: PMC7222751DOI: 10.3390/ani10040642Google 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 research article investigates how temporary relocation affects stress levels in horses, as indicated by the concentration of cortisol in their hair. The relevant factors considered in the study are the duration of the relocation period, the horse’s rest period, and the seasons, with the research extending over a year.

Study Design and Participants

  • The study involved thirteen police horses, specifically Pure Spanish stallions ranging from 5 to 13 years old.
  • Two different studies were conducted, both following the same horses but over different periods – one for seven months and the other for a year.
  • The hair samples were collected at 30-day intervals for analysis.

Methodology

  • Cortisol levels in hair samples were determined using an enzyme immunoassay, a method for measuring the concentration of hormones in biological samples.
  • The study was divided into two sections. The first focused on relocated horses in comparison to non-relocated horses over seven months. The second study examined hair cortisol levels in the same horses across different seasons over one year.

Key Findings

  • The first part of the study found that relocated horses displayed higher concentrations of cortisol in their hair (a marker for stress) compared to non-relocated horses.
  • The second study discovered seasonal variations, presenting higher levels of hair cortisol and faster hair growth rates in winter compared to other seasons.

Interpretation and Future Direction

  • The results suggest that the increase in cortisol levels in relocated horses may be indicative of a change in their welfare status, likely due to sudden environmental changes.
  • However, these results should be interpreted cautiously due to the small sample size.
  • The research calls for further investigation into the relationship between hair cortisol concentrations and the overall welfare of horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Gardela J, Carbajal A, Tallo-Parra O, Olvera-Maneu S, Álvarez-Rodríguez M, Jose-Cunilleras E, López-Béjar M. (2020). Temporary Relocation during Rest Periods: Relocation Stress and Other Factors Influence Hair Cortisol Concentrations in Horses. Animals (Basel), 10(4), 642. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10040642

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 4
PII: 642

Researcher Affiliations

Gardela, Jaume
  • Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
Carbajal, Annaïs
  • Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
Tallo-Parra, Oriol
  • Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
Olvera-Maneu, Sergi
  • Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
Álvarez-Rodríguez, Manuel
  • Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
  • Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Division of Children's and Women Health (BKH), Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linköping University, Linköping, 58183 Östergötland, Sweden.
Jose-Cunilleras, Eduard
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
López-Béjar, Manel
  • Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 East Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766, USA.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 9 times.
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