Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the influence of various stimuli that confound interpretation of assessed indicators of horse welfare during rest and working period by the use of non-invasive methods of sampling. In total, 40 horses of different breeds and used for different purposes in Slovakia were used. The following indicators were tested: concentration of cortisol in saliva and 11,17-dioxoandrostanes in faeces measured by Elisa methods, heart rate and heart rate variability recording with the Polar Heart Rate Monitor and presence of stereotypical behaviour assessed with a horse questionnaire survey. The evaluated physiological responses were mostly affected by the type of work undertaken, especially horse movement intensity (P < 0.001) and horse equipment used during the working period (P < 0.01). Horses that showed stereotypical behaviour were less stressed during rest (P < 0.05) compared to horses without stereotypical behaviour. Horse breed, age, sex and stabling conditions affected only some of the heart rate indicators. The type of riding style had no fundamental influence on evaluated indicators. These observations highlight the difficulties in determining the welfare status in horses, since measurements can be affected by many factors that need to be investigated for achieving relevant outcomes. This is the first study in Slovakia focusing on the evaluation of horse welfare by non-invasive sampling.
Highlights
Horse welfare and stress-related disorders are becoming subjects of growing interest for increasing number of horse owners, breeders and riders
The following indicators were tested: concentration of cortisol in saliva and 11,17-dioxoandrostanes in faeces measured by Elisa methods, heart rate and heart rate variability recording with the Polar Heart Rate Monitor and presence of stereotypical behaviour assessed with a horse questionnaire survey
The evaluated physiological responses were mostly affected by the type of work undertaken, especially horse movement intensity (P < 0.001) and horse equipment used during the working period (P < 0.01)
Summary
Horse welfare and stress-related disorders are becoming subjects of growing interest for increasing number of horse owners, breeders and riders. A number of biologically relevant issues (e.g. effect of sex, age, reproductive status, daily and seasonal patterns, effects of captivity, dietary effects, species-specific responses in stress responses) complicate the interpretation of animal welfare research results. These and many other confounding factors need to be investigated for the purpose of obtaining biologically relevant results. Factors affecting glucocorticoid concentrations in blood affect their concentration in saliva and faeces, too These factors involve individual and interspecies differences, daily rhythms and seasonal patterns in secretion and the excretion of glucocorticoids, the effect of weather, sex, age and reproductive status, sensitization and habituation (Touma and Palme 2005).
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