Behavioral and cardiac responses to a model startle test to assess retired Thoroughbred racehorses for equestrians
- Author:
Seung-Ho RYU
1
;
Kyung-Eun LEE
;
Eliot FORBES
;
Sung-Jun AN
;
Joon Gyu KIM
;
Hang LEE
;
Byung Sun KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Research Report
- From:Journal of Veterinary Science 2024;25(6):e84-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:This study aims to develop a practical procedure to assess retired Thoroughbreds for their suitability for equestrian sports or leisure purposes and to assess if horses identified as having reactive temperaments in response to a standardized startle test, will have improved test results following a period of transition training.
Methods:Behavioral reactivity data and cardiac autonomic responses to a startle test (comprising of a plastic bag applied to the neck area) were collected from twelve retired Thoroughbred racehorses (6 males and 6 females; average age: 4.33 ± 0.89 years old; average body weight 465.17 ± 25.33 kg), before and after the three-month transition training for equestrian sports. A priori power calculation indicated a requirement of 12 individuals for a power of 80%.
Results:Following the training, there was a significant reduction in the behavioral score (BS), peak heart rate (HR), and response duration (RD) of all horses compared to their pre-training scores. However, 25% of horses (3/12) retained a BS of 2 or above post-training, exhibiting significantly higher peak HR and longer RD compared to those with a BS below 2.Post-training, the females demonstrated a significant increase in the root mean square of the successive differences between normal heartbeats compared to their pre-training levels.
Conclusions:and Relevance: Transition training of retired Thoroughbreds can assist in improving horses' suitability for equestrian sports, based on their successive responses to a novel startle test.
