Preliminary results suggest an influence of psychological and physiological stress in humans on horse heart rate and behavior

• Published in: Journal of veterinary behavior 2014-09, Vol.9 (5), p.242-247
• Main Authors: Merkies, Katrina, Sievers, Anja, Zakrajsek, Emily, MacGregor, Helen, Bergeron, Renée, von Borstel, Uta König
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: behavior; emotional state; fear; heart rate; horse–human interaction; human nervousness
• ISSN: 1558-7878
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2014.06.003

People may involuntarily emit fear or distress signals when around horses, and interpreting how horses respond to these messages is important, particularly for human safety around horses. No studies have been done to determine if horses can differentiate between humans who are physiologically stressed (e.g., after exercising) as opposed to psychologically stressed (e.g., afraid). Horses (N = 10) loose in a round pen were randomly subjected to the presence of a stationary blindfolded human in each of 4 treatments: (1) calm human comfortable around horses (CALM), (2) physically stressed human (PHYS; exercised to 70% maximum heart rate [HR]), (3) psychologically stressed human (PSYCH; afraid of horses), or (4) no human (CONTROL). Both humans and horses were equipped with an HR monitor. Physiological and behavioral observations (gait, head position relative to the withers, distance and orientation toward human) were recorded and analyzed using a mixed model with horse and human as random effects. Increasing human fearfulness was associated with a decrease in horse HR (P = 0.0156). Horses moved at a slower gait in PSYCH (P < 0.0001), and horse head position was lower during PHYS and PSYCH compared with CALM or CONTROL (P < 0.0001). Human HR was highest in PHYS (P < 0.0001) and decreased over time in all treatments. Human HR increased when the horse was facing away (P = 0.0395). Overall, horses appear less stressed in the presence of a stationary fearful or physically stressed human than a calm person. Thus, horses in the presence of fearful humans, particularly where participants may not be comfortable around horses, should not pose any additional risk provided normal safety precautions are used.