THE EFFECTS OF SHORT DURATION TRANSPORT ON SPORT HORSES WELFARE

摘要

The aim of this study was to monitor the response of sport horses during short transport to the intensity of stress, by changes in heart rate, cortisol, and behaviour. The horses included in the study were separated into 2 groups: horses that were transported for the first time (A n: 12) and horses that had been previously transported (B n: 10). The values of the indicators varied between the two groups regardless of the fact that travel length and transport conditions were almost identical. The heart rate and cortisol levels were elevated in horses from group A as compared to the ones in group B while the latter showed increased levels of these indicators upon repeating the loading and unloading (130-230 nmol/l). The behavioural responses were different in horses and influenced the welfare during transport.Transport of horses under certain conditions related to their adjusting to manhandling during loading and unloading operations, as well as the animals temper, may be considered a stress factor with significant depreciating effect on horse welfare.