Recent Studies Find Horses Experience Stress When They Are Alone

All humans are sociable animals who can suffer emotionally from solitude, as the COVID-19 pandemic served as a reminder.

Recent studies have confirmed the idea that horses experience stress when left alone.

It is backed by a growing body of research that indicates horses want greater freedom and companionship than they frequently receive, however reform in customary stalling practices is probably going to take time.

Horses Are Also Prone To Stress

(Photo : Silje Midtgård/Unsplash)

In a tiny German study published recently in PLOS ONE, the physiology of horses maintained in separate stables and those kept in groups was examined, as per ABC News.

Blood tests revealed symptoms of a weakened immune system in the horses maintained in stables, such as a consistent rise in the proportion of neutrophils to lymphocytes (both types of white blood cells), but not in the horses kept together.

Sonja Schmucker of the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart and colleagues stated one of the report's authors, that the results of the present study strongly indicated that social isolation is a chronic stressor.

As a result, the horses' immunocompetence may decline, making them more susceptible to illnesses and harming their health and welfare.

Horses are sociable animals that did not develop to live apart from one another, according to Australian veterinarian Paul McGreevy of the University of New England, who was not involved in the study.

Unless they have been poorly raised, they generally enjoy each other's company, according to Professor McGreevy.

The more time they can spend together and groom each other, the better off they are.

When they groom one another, their heart rates drop.

He did, however, imply that there was a widespread notion that horses naturally belonged in stables.

Even though boxed horses had been the subject of earlier research, according to Professor McGreevy, this was the first study of its kind.

He said humans often give horses exercise under saddle if they're keeping them in stables, but people don't offer them much autonomy.

Dr. Kirrilly Thompson, a cultural anthropologist at the University of Newcastle who specializes in horse and human interactions, asserted that the urge for horses to be in a group has a long history.

It's about how people manage their emotions, not just about friendship, she continued.

Also Read: Single housing but no changes in group composition causes stress-related immunomodulation in horses

The Importance of Immune System For Horses In Handling Stress

The immune system's job is to protect the body of the horse against pathogens like bacteria, viruses, fungal invaders, foreign proteins, and parasites, which are sometimes referred to as antigens collectively, as per Equine America.

Like our immune system, the horse's immune system is incredibly complex yet generally very good at fending off pathogens.

Age, nutrition, and stress are just a few of the variables that might affect how well the immune system works.

Horses who are too young, too old, or malnourished frequently have compromised immune systems, which raises their risk of illness.

According to research, stress might also make the immune system less effective.

Intense training and competition schedules, frequent travel, boarding far from home at shows with a large number of unfamiliar horses, inconsistent feeding schedules, changes in management practices, poor nutrition, and disruptions to social relationships are some common stressors.

Therefore, both competitive and recreational horses may unintentionally be exposed to a variety of elements that could weaken their immune systems and make them more prone to illness and disease.