Influence of Horse and Rider on Stress during Horse-riding Lesson Program

Abstract

The present study aims to confirm the influence of a horse-riding lesson program (HRLP) on the stress level of horses and riders by respectively analyzing their salivary cortisol concentration. Twenty-four healthy horses and 23 riders participated in this study. The horses were randomly classified into two groups for the horse riding lesson program: Class 1 (for the beginner lesson) and Class 2 (for the intermediate lesson). The Class 1 group consisted of 12 horses and 12 riders, while the Class 2 group consisted of 12 horses and 11 riders. Salivettes cotton wool swabs were used for saliva collection and the saliva analyses were conducted using a two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures with SAS version 8. As for the results, the average salivary cortisol concentration of all horses before HRLP significantly increased compared to the baseline (p<0.001) while it decreased after the HRLP. The results of the salivary cortisol concentration of the riders were similar to the horses’ results. However, there was no difference during the HRLP between Class 1 and Class 2 in the horse or rider groups. The results suggest that the HRLP did not influence the stress level of the horses or riders. Thus, this study provides the necessary information and guidelines for future studies on stress in horses during riding and gives insight into better horse welfare and management options.

Evaluation of a Modified Bit Device to Obtain Saliva Samples from Horses

“…Cortisol is a naturally occurring hormone in equines and humans that provides a similar stress response in both. As has been found in emerging data, equines and humans tend to produce cortisol in reaction to stress induced situations in similar timeframes—with a natural diurnal rhythm, and potential peaks around 10 min of an antecedent [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Other analytes have been included alongside cortisol, such as alpha-amylase, a surrogate indicator of stress release [ 11 ].…”

“…Salivary samples are minimally invasive tools used to assess physiological changes and mechanisms of change between horses and humans. Furthermore, as a quantitative measure, salivary analysis improves scientific rigor and furthers the depth of understanding [ 7 , 10 ]. In behavioral and social sciences, there is an increasing focus on the utilization of saliva data points to supplement other non-physiological (i.e., behavioral health) measures both clinically and diagnostically, as well as in the biomedical research infrastructure [ 12 ].…”

Evaluation of stress markers in horses during hippotherapy sessions in comparison to being ridden by beginners

“…With increasing knowledge about animal welfare, behaviour and stress-related pathologies, multiple studies in horses have investigated the effects of working on stress parameters. These parameters include heart rate, and heart-rate variability, cortisol and behaviour (Munsters et al 2012 , Kang & Yun 2016 ; Uldahl et al 2021 ). Behavioural ethograms have been established to help assess signs of discomfort during ridden sessions (Henry et al 2017 ; Dyson & Pollard 2020 ; Haddy et al 2021 ).…”

Salivary cortisol concentrations changes in horses during daily routine

“…Observing circadian rhythm occurs in some studies that spectate stress levels in horse but not all and it develops when horses are accustomed to management routine, stabling, exercise and feeding (Irvine and Alexander, 1994). Several contraindications on this topic appear in the literature (Bohák et al, 2013) Therefore, it is important to make repeated monitors and observations to reach consensus in scientific community.Observation of horse salivary cortisol to follow the stress levels in horse is a model that has been used commonly in research following this subject (Kang and Yun, 2016;Strzelec et al, 2011;Ille et al, 2013). It has been repeatedly spotted that i.e.…”