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Intense Leisure Exploitation Influences on Horses Hormonal Reaction—Preliminary Study

Author

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  • Izabela Dąbrowska

    (Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Jowita Grzędzicka

    (Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Katarzyna Malin

    (Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Bartosz Pawliński

    (Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Julia Mickiewicz

    (Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Olga Witkowska-Piłaszewicz

    (Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

Horses working with humans for recreational purposes are subjected to a variety of external factors that can have a negative impact on their well-being. There is an urgent need for unequivocal evidence from scientific studies to unify methods of welfare verification of working animals. The testosterone/cortisol ratio has recently been proposed as a marker of the propensity for social aggression as one of the stress reactions. In this study, we analyzed testosterone and cortisol blood concentration and ratio to evaluate the stress susceptibility of horses used for recreational purposes. The blood samples were collected from eleven ( n = 11) standardbred horses (age 6–10; geldings–mares = 6:5) during the intense leisure exploitation and after the rest season. The cortisol concentration remained unchanged, whereas, despite the small study population, we observed higher testosterone levels during the horses’ intensive exploitation compared to the resting season ( p > 0.09). Thus, the testosterone/cortisol ratio was increased during intensive exploitation. We conclude that recreational horseback riding is not an overly stressful activity for horses; however, it may lead to some behavioral abnormalities connected with high testosterone levels. However, more research is needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Izabela Dąbrowska & Jowita Grzędzicka & Katarzyna Malin & Bartosz Pawliński & Julia Mickiewicz & Olga Witkowska-Piłaszewicz, 2022. "Intense Leisure Exploitation Influences on Horses Hormonal Reaction—Preliminary Study," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-9, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:11:p:1777-:d:953750
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carole Fureix & Hervé Menguy & Martine Hausberger, 2010. "Partners with Bad Temper: Reject or Cure? A Study of Chronic Pain and Aggression in Horses," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 5(8), pages 1-6, August.
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