Massage and Music Minimize Stress in Horses

Stress negatively affects multiple body systems and contributes to welfare issues in horses. While some horses enjoy the life of Riley, others lead busier, more complicated lives. Stressors for those horses can include strict training schedules, regular transport, limited turnout, and frequent acclimation to new environments.

“Unfortunately, many of these stressors cannot be eliminated. Instead, owners, trainers, and researchers seek alternative methods to minimize stress and maximize quality of life,” said Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., a nutritionist for Kentucky Equine Research.

According to a recent study*, relaxing massages and music may fit the bill. To assess whether massage and music reduces stress in horses, 60 three-year-old Arabian racehorses were recruited for the study. Horses were divided into groups and were exposed to relaxing music for one or three hours per day, massaged for 25-30 minutes by equine physiotherapists, or had no change in their regular routine. The study was conducted over a six-month period, and measures of stress included heart rate, heart rate variability, and salivary cortisol measurements at specific time points.

The researchers reported decreased heart rate, heart rate variability, and salivary cortisol levels in horses exposed to relaxing music for three hours a day but not one hour per day. Further, race performance improved in horses massaged daily.

“The most positive changes in the parameters under study were found in horses massaged every day, which shows that relaxing massages are beneficial for welfare and performance,” wrote the researchers.

“Diet also plays an important role in the overall health and well-being of your horse, especially those in competition or receiving diets rich in concentrates,” advised Crandell. “Certain horses, particularly those at risk of developing gastric ulcers or hindgut acidosis, would benefit from nutritional supplements that support the gastrointestinal tract.”

Kentucky Equine Research offers Triacton, a product specifically designed to buffer the stomach to minimize gastric ulcer development, as well as to support health of the hindgut and the resident microorganisms.

“EquiShure also helps horses by controlling the pH of the hindgut and stabilizing microbial populations. This research-proven time-released buffer is simply top-dressed on the horse’s grain ration daily,” Crandell said.

For customized diet advice, please contact a Kentucky Equine Research nutrition advisor.

*Kędzierski, W., I. Janczarek, A. Stachurska, et al. 2017. Comparison of effects of different relaxing massage frequencies and different music hours on reducing stress level in race horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 53:100-107.