Influence of localized massage on biobehavioral responses of mature horses during exposure to unfamiliar stimuli
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Date
2024-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Exposure to unfamiliar stimuli can lead to increased heart rate (HR), an increased incidence of locomotor behaviors, and changes to facial expressions. Responses of horses to unfamiliar stimuli can have important consequences for both horse and human safety. Horses preferentially groom conspecifics in preferred areas, and imitating grooming of horses in this location has been shown to decrease horse HR. The objective of this study was to determine if localized massage along the preferred area would influence HR, behavior, and facial expressions during exposure to unfamiliar stimuli. Eleven Quarter Horse mares (11.6 ± 4.9 yr) were fitted with a Polar H10 Equine HR monitor and led from their group housing area to an open-front, 3.1 x 3.1 m grooming stall in a barn. After 5 min pre-stimulus (P1), hair clippers were turned on and held 30.5 cm from the horse’s left ear for 3 min consisting of: stimulus/pre-massage (45 sec; P2), stimulus/massage (90 sec; P3) and stimulus/post-massage (45 sec; P4). Afterward, the clippers were turned off for 5 min (P5: post-stimulus). HR and video recording occurred throughout the experiment. Scan sampling of videos was used every 15 sec during P1 and P5, and every 5 sec during P2-P4 to determine counts of behavior and facial expressions. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS v. 9.4. Significant differences in HR, locomotor behaviors, and facial expressions were observed between horses in the study, highlighting the role of individual variation among horses. No differences were observed in HR during P2-4 compared to P1 and P5. Horses moved their hind feet more frequently during exposure to the clippers once the localized massage stopped (p < 0.05). The frequency of ears facing the same or different directions in a relaxed position was greater during P3 (p < 0.01). Horses lowered their heads more often during exposure to the stimuli, except during P3 (p < 0.01). Although these findings indicate that localized massage may reduce stress-related behaviors and facial expressions during exposure to unfamiliar stimuli, more research in this area is needed.
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Keywords
Stress, Heart Rate, Behavior, Allogrooming
Citation
S. Maddocks, N. Lorig, J. McNally, H. Largen, K. Cole. "Influence of localized massage on biobehavioral responses of mature horses during exposure to unfamiliar stimuli." Journal of Equine Veterinary Science: Volume 124, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104404