Plasma cortisol and faecal cortisol metabolites concentrations in stereotypic and non-stereotypic horses: do stereotypic horses cope better with poor environmental conditions?
Authors: Fureix Carole, Benhajali Haïfa, Henry Séverine, Bruchet Anaelle, Prunier Armelle, Ezzaouia Mohammed, Coste Caroline, Hausberger Martine, Palme Rupert, Jego Patrick
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary Stereotypic behaviours in horses remain poorly understood, with competing theories suggesting they either represent maladaptive responses to poor welfare or alternatively function as genuine coping mechanisms that reduce physiological stress. Fureix and colleagues investigated this question across two large cohorts (55 and 58 horses) maintained in suboptimal conditions, measuring both plasma cortisol and faecal cortisol metabolites alongside direct observation of oral and motor stereotypies. If stereotypies truly enabled better coping, affected horses would be expected to exhibit lower glucocorticoid concentrations than their non-stereotypic counterparts; however, the researchers found contradictory patterns suggesting the relationship is more nuanced than the simple coping hypothesis predicts. The use of non-invasive faecal sampling alongside invasive plasma collection strengthened the validity of findings across different physiological windows and collection methodologies. These results have important implications for equine professionals: rather than assuming stereotypic horses are adequately adapting to poor conditions, practitioners should continue to address the underlying environmental stressors (confinement, isolation, restricted feeding) that drive these behaviours, recognising that their presence likely indicates compromised welfare requiring intervention rather than successful self-regulation.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Stereotypic behaviours should not be interpreted as evidence that a horse is coping well with poor conditions—they indicate stress, not successful coping
- •Presence of stereotypies signals need for environmental improvement (more space, social contact, enrichment) rather than acceptance of current management
- •Faecal cortisol sampling provides non-invasive stress assessment that correlates with plasma measures and can be used in field conditions
Key Findings
- •Stereotypic horses did not show lower glucocorticoid levels than non-stereotypic horses, contradicting the coping hypothesis
- •Both plasma cortisol and faecal cortisol metabolites were measured across two large samples (N=55 and N=58) in horses kept in sub-optimal conditions
- •Stereotypic behaviours occur in horses experiencing poor welfare states but are not associated with improved physiological stress markers