Monty Roberts' Public Demonstrations: Preliminary Report on the Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability of Horses Undergoing Training during Live Audience Events.
Authors: Loftus Loni, Marks Kelly, Jones-McVey Rosie, Gonzales Jose L, Fowler Veronica L
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Monty Roberts' Join-up® technique and live demonstration methods have generated considerable discussion within equine training circles regarding their physiological impact on horses. Researchers measured heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) in ten horses during Roberts' public demonstrations in the UK, collecting beat-to-beat interval data both in the stable and whilst training, then calculating key HRV parameters including standard deviation of RR intervals (SDRR), root mean square of successive RR differences (RMSSD), and the low/high frequency ratio (LF/HF). Training significantly elevated heart rate compared to baseline stable measurements (minimum, average and maximum RR intervals all reduced, p=0.0006–0.03), whilst HRV indices—SDRR, RMSSD, SD1, SD2 and LF/HF ratio—all decreased significantly during training (p=0.001–0.049), indicating a shift towards sympathetic nervous system dominance consistent with moderate physiological stress rather than acute psychological distress. Notably, the Join-up® phase itself showed no distinct HRV signature beyond the broader training response, with only maximal RR intervals differing (p=0.007), reflecting brief periods of increased physical exertion such as cantering. These findings suggest that live demonstration training under Roberts' methods produces a low-to-moderate physiological response comparable with or less pronounced than standard training conducted outside public settings, providing objective evidence that the protocol does not appear to compromise equine psychological welfare based on autonomic nervous system indicators.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Public demonstration training environments do not appear to create excessive stress responses in horses beyond normal training conditions
- •Join-up methodology showed measurable physiological responses consistent with controlled exercise rather than distress indicators
- •Heart rate and variability monitoring can objectively assess horse welfare during training, supporting evidence-based training method evaluation
Key Findings
- •Heart rate increased significantly during training compared to stable conditions (RR intervals p=0.0006-0.03), indicating physiological stress response
- •Heart rate variability markers (SDRR, RMSSD, SD1, SD2, LF/HF ratio) were all significantly lower during training (p=0.001-0.049), suggesting sympathetic nervous system activation
- •Join-up training produced comparable HRV responses to overall training with only maximum RR interval significantly lower (p=0.007), indicating short physical exertion periods
- •Public demonstration training induced low-moderate physiological stress comparable to or less than training outside public events, with no evidence of negative psychological welfare effects