Temporary Relocation during Rest Periods: Relocation Stress and Other Factors Influence Hair Cortisol Concentrations in Horses.
Authors: Gardela Jaume, Carbajal Annaïs, Tallo-Parra Oriol, Olvera-Maneu Sergi, Álvarez-Rodríguez Manuel, Jose-Cunilleras Eduard, López-Béjar Manel
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Temporary relocation of horses during rest periods is routine practice among competition and working horse owners, yet the physiological stress response to such moves remains poorly characterised. Researchers tracked hair cortisol concentrations (HCCs) in 13 Pure Spanish police stallions across seven-month and twelve-month periods, collecting hair samples monthly and analysing cortisol via enzyme immunoassay to establish baseline stress markers and seasonal patterns. Relocated horses demonstrated significantly elevated HCCs following relocation compared to controls (p < 0.05), whilst non-relocated animals showed seasonal variation with higher cortisol during summer months and accelerated hair growth rates during winter (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that relocation-induced environmental changes trigger a measurable stress response detectable through hair cortisol analysis, potentially indicating compromised welfare during transition periods. Although sample sizes were modest, the results offer practitioners a non-invasive biomarker for assessing relocation stress and highlight the importance of careful management protocols when moving horses for rest—particularly in understanding how sudden environmental changes affect their physiological and psychological status.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Temporary relocation of horses during rest periods may induce measurable physiological stress responses; consider minimizing relocation frequency or implementing gradual acclimation strategies
- •Hair cortisol analysis may serve as a non-invasive biomarker to assess welfare impact of management changes, though seasonal variation must be accounted for
- •Monitor relocated horses more closely during transition periods and be aware that seasonal factors also influence cortisol levels independent of relocation stress
Key Findings
- •Relocated horses (n=4) exhibited significantly elevated hair cortisol concentrations compared to control horses after relocation period (p<0.05)
- •Hair cortisol concentrations were higher during summer compared to autumn and winter (p<0.05)
- •Hair growth rates were significantly higher in winter compared to other seasons (p<0.05)
- •Results suggest relocation stress causes measurable changes in welfare status, though sample size limitations warrant cautious interpretation