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Equestrian sports require the cooperation of two species, horses and humans, but it is unknown to what extent stress responses in the rider affect the horse. In this study, the stress response of experienced and less-experienced horses and riders at showjumping was analysed. Sixteen sport horses were divided into two groups (n = 8 each) by experience and were ridden by highly experienced professionals (n = 8) and less-experienced riders (n = 8). Riders jumped a course of obstacles with an experienced and a less-experienced horse and horses took part with an experienced and less-experienced rider. Salivary cortisol, heart rate and heart-rate variability (HRV) variables, standard deviation of RR interval (SDRR) and root mean square of successive RR differences (RMSSD) were analysed. Cortisol and heart rate increased and HRV decreased in all riders and horses. In less-experienced riders, cortisol release was higher on a lessexperienced versus an experienced horse but the horses' cortisol release was not affected by experience of their riders. Heart rate did not differ between groups of horses and was not affected by experience of the rider but was higher in less-experienced versus experienced riders. The HRV decreased in horses and riders and SDRR was lower in less-experienced versus experienced riders. Thus, lower experience of riders appears not to affect physiological stress parameters in their horses during a showjumping course.

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Traditionally, horse riding has been restricted to men but today equestrian sports are dominated by women. We hypothesised that men and women differ with regard to riding and the response they evoke in their horse. Cortisol and heart rate variability (HRV) were studied in male (n=8) and female riders (n=8) and in horses (n=8) ridden by men and women over a jumping course. Saliva for cortisol analysis was collected, cardiac beat to beat (RR) intervals were recorded and heart rate and HRV variables SDRR (standard deviation of RR interval) and RMSSD (root mean square of successive RR differences) calculated. In another experiment, saddle pressure was compared between male and female riders (n=5 each). Cortisol did not differ between male and female riders and increased in horses (P<0.001) irrespective of the sex of the rider. Heart rate in riders increased from walk to jumping (P<0.001) while HRV decreased (P<0.001) to the same extent in men and women. In horses, heart rate increased (P<0.001) and SDRR and RMSSD decreased during walk and remained low at trot and canter (P<0.001) irrespective of the riders’ sex. In trot (P<0.05) and canter (P<0.01) saddle pressure was slightly lower in female versus male riders. This is due to weight differences and not to a different seat. In conclusion, no fundamental differences existed in the physical effort, stress response and seat between male and female riders and in the response of horses to men and women.

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