The Horse:Your Guide To Equine Health Care provides monthly equine health care information to horse owners, breeders, veterinarians, barn/farm managers, trainer/riding instructors, and others involved in the hands-on care of the horse.
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25 October 2015 THE HORSE TheHorse.com blood samples from 21 horses participat- ing in the Sartiglia, which is a costumed horseback joust. They found increased sugar, enzymes, cortisol, beta-endor- phins, and reactive oxygen metabolites on the day of competition, but those values returned to baseline levels quickly by the day after the competition. In light of these results, the authors suggested that owners and riders try to minimize the stress horses in similar tournaments might experience. Housing-related stress In another 2015 study, researchers from Not- tingham Trent University, in the U.K., evaluated 16 horses housed in four different scenarios for five days each. When housed individually and with no contact with other horses, study subjects had higher fecal cortisol levels and were more difficult to handle than when housed in groups or individually with horses nearby. Eye temperature, a noninvasive measure of stress, was significantly lower in horses in group housing. The study authors concluded that both physiological and behavioral measures indicated that social contact during housing of domestic horses could improve equine welfare. Take-Home Message It is our responsibility to provide the best possible environment to minimize stress and ultimately maximize our horses' quality of life. Try not to be too hard on yourself if you've only just identified certain situa- tions you didn't realize were stressful for your horse. Managing stress is not the same as minimizing or avoiding stress altogether, says Heleski. "For example, for me, giving oral presentations is somewhat 'stressful,' but it is also invigorating and an important part of my job," she says. "This is similar to taking my horses to a show. I am reasonably certain that this is somewhat 'stressful,' but I try to manage their stress by getting to the show early and allow- ing them time to settle, making sure they have a lot of hay while they are at the show so they can perform foraging behavior during much of their stalled time, etc. Meanwhile, in their home environment, I try to minimize stressors by allowing them a great deal of time at pasture with lots of foraging opportuni- ties and the chance to socialize with other familiar equids. I work to keep most of their routines as consistent as possible." Importantly, Heleski adds, "Where possible, I try to reduce environmental stressors by providing the option of shel- ter during extreme weather conditions. By maintaining a veterinarian-approved health protocol, I work to reduce the stressors of disease and parasites." h ABOUT THE AUTHOR Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc, is a freelance medical writer based out of Saratoga Springs, New York. Her areas of interest are nutrition, supplements, and osteoarthritis, and she contributes to scientific journals, magazines, and tabloid publications. Tired of guessing what supplement your horse needs? Ask your vet. Developed by: BoneWise TM Supports strong, well-developed bones throughout a horse's lifetime. TH 2015-06b No more guesswork. No more worries. Available only through your veterinarian. Developed by: KPPvet.com, 859-873-2974 I try to minimize stressors by allowing (my horses) a great deal of time at pasture with lots of foraging oppor- tunities and the chance to socialize with other familiar equids." DR. CAMIE HELESKI