Effects of the level of experience of horses and their riders on Cortisol release, heart rate and heart-rate variability during a jumping course

Abstract

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.

Increased cortisol release and transport stress do not influence semen quality and testosterone release in pony stallions

“…Transport is thus not only a stressor to which most sport horses are regularly exposed but, in equine stress studies, provides a well controllable stress model. It also evokes a more pronounced stress response than equestrian training or competitions [7,8,10]. Stallions were allowed to move freely on the trailer, but transport-induced cortisol release did not differ from previous studies in which Warmblood horses were transported either facing the direction of transport [5,6] or perpendicular to the transport direction [4].…”

“…With an increase in international equestrian events by nearly 30% from 2009 to 2012 [3], both the number and the distance of horse transports have grown considerably. On the basis of analysis of cortisol release, road transport is far more stressful for horses [4][5][6] than equestrian training and competitions [7][8][9][10].…”

Stress Response of Veterinary Students to Gynaecological Examination of Horse Mares – Effects of Simulator‐Based and Animal‐Based Training

“…) but lower than in riders in studies on show jumping (Ille et al. , ). The increase in heart rate caused by the emotional challenge of a gynaecological skills assessment is therefore comparable to the combined effect of physical exercise and psychological demands on riders in equestrian sports.…”

“…) and show jumping (Ille et al. , ). Because the stress response in veterinary students during a gynaecological skills test in mares remained below the response of riders in equestrian sports, it should not be interpreted as distress but may indicate concentration on their task and awareness of the students, thus corresponding to a eustress situation.…”

“…The cardiac beat‐to‐beat interval was recorded with a mobile recording system (S810i, Polar) set to RR interval as described (Ille et al. ). Recordings were made using two electrodes fixed to the chest with an electrode transmitter belt and a recording watch placed on the wrist of the students.…”