Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Stress Responses in Horses Housed in Different Stable Designs during Summer in a Tropical Savanna Climate. |
| Authors: |
Poochipakorn, Chanoknun1,2 (AUTHOR) chanoknun.p@ku.th, Wonghanchao, Thita2,3,4 (AUTHOR), Sanigavatee, Kanokpan2,3,4 (AUTHOR) ksanigavatee@gmail.com, Chanda, Metha2,3,4 (AUTHOR) ksanigavatee@gmail.com |
| Source: |
Animals (2076-2615). Aug2024, Vol. 14 Issue 15, p2263. 20p. |
| Subject Terms: |
*HEART beat, *EXTERIOR walls, *THERMAL comfort, *HOUSING management, *ATMOSPHERIC temperature |
| Abstract: |
Simple Summary: The use of single-box housing for domestic horses is a matter of concern due to its potential negative effects on their social interaction and movement. Horses in tropical regions may also face challenges due to heat and humidity fluctuations affecting their thermal comfort and heat dissipation. This study sought to explore the stress responses in horses housed in different stable designs in a tropical savanna region, as little research has considered this topic. The results reveal correlations across stable designs between internal humidity, air temperature, ammonia levels, and heart rate variability (HRV) modulation in horses. We also observed distinct stress responses in horses in different stable designs. These findings suggest that daily changes in the internal environment, as well as stable design, play crucial roles in affecting horses' stress responses and overall well-being in tropical savanna regions. These results have important welfare implications for the management of horse housing in such environments. Single-confinement housing can pose welfare risks to domestic horses. This study investigated horses' stress responses when confined to single stalls in different stable designs in a tropical savanna region to address a gap in the literature. In total, 23 horses were assigned to a stable with a central corridor and solid external walls (A) (N = 8), a stable with one side corridor and solid external walls (B) (N = 6), or a stable with a central corridor and no solid external walls (C) (N = 9). Air velocity, relative humidity, air temperature, and noxious gases were measured inside the stables, and the heart rate and HRV of the horses were also determined. The relative humidity was lower in stable C than in stable A (p < 0.05), while the air temperature was higher in stable C than in stable B (p < 0.05) during the day. The airflow and ammonia levels were higher in stable C than in stables B and A (p < 0.01–0.0001). Overall, horses' HRV in stable A was lower than in those in stables B and C (p < 0.05–0.01). Horses in stable A tended to experience more stress than those in other stables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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