Effect of different head and neck positions on behaviour, heart rate variability and cortisol levels in lunged Royal Dutch Sport horses.
Authors: Smiet E, Van Dierendonck M C, Sleutjens J, Menheere P P C A, van Breda E, de Boer D, Back W, Wijnberg I D, van der Kolk J H
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary Concerns about restrictive head and neck positions in ridden horses warrant objective assessment, and this 2014 study evaluated five distinct positions—ranging from completely unrestrained to extreme flexion or extension—in seven Royal Dutch Sport horses during a standardised 34-minute lunge exercise incorporating walk, trot and canter. Behaviour was videoed using a defined ethogram, heart rate variability was monitored via telemetry, and salivary cortisol sampled at baseline, 5 and 30 minutes post-exercise to triangulate welfare indicators. Horses displayed significantly increased conflict behaviours (head tossing, resistance, backing) during the raised-neck, nose-near-vertical position (HNP2), alongside elevated sympathetic nervous system activity (increased low-frequency heart rate variability peaks and decreased very low-frequency components) and substantially raised cortisol concentrations at both 5 and 30 minutes post-exercise; a similar sympathetic shift appeared in the lowered-extended position (HNP4), though with fewer behavioural signs. The data suggest that moderate flexion with the nose pointing towards the chest produced the least physiological and behavioural stress markers, whilst both extreme collection and extension trigger measurable stress responses—findings that challenge conventional training paradigms and indicate that practitioners should monitor individual horses' stress indicators rather than assuming any single neck position is universally appropriate.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •The 'on the vertical' head position (HNP2) compromises horse welfare during ridden exercise, triggering measurable stress biomarkers and conflict behaviours—consider using lower or more natural neck positions when working lunged horses
- •Excessive neck raising in training may induce sympathetic nervous system activation visible in heart rate patterns; use objective welfare indicators (behaviour, cortisol, HRV) to evaluate training methods if implementing restrictive head positions
- •Lowered, flexed neck positions appear more compatible with horse welfare during standardised exercise based on reduced behavioural and physiological stress markers
Key Findings
- •Neck raised with nose vertical (HNP2) increased conflict behaviours significantly compared to unrestrained, lowered-flexed, and extended positions
- •HNP2 showed significantly increased low frequency heart rate variability peak and elevated saliva cortisol at 5 and 30 minutes post-exercise, indicating sympathetic shift and stress response
- •Lowered-flexed positions (HNP4, HNP7) produced lower conflict behaviour and cortisol responses than HNP2, despite some HRV changes in HNP4