Impact of musical rhythm on stabled horses

I sure wish they had looked at country or at least classic country, the preference in our barns. But what horse would not like George Strait?
DrO
PS Barn Design and Layout got a major face lift so if you are contemplating building, check it out.

Impact of musical rhythm on blood, physiological and welfare parameters in stabled horses
Sci Rep. 2024 Dec 28;14(1):31311. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-82637-8.
Authors
Fernanda Yumi Ueno de Oliveira 1 , Agnês Markiy Odakura 2 , Maria Fernanda de Castro Burbarelli 1 , Caio César Dos Ouros 1 , Ibiara Correia de Lima Almeida Paz 3 , Jaqueline Murbach Braz 1 , Rodrigo Garófallo Garcia 1 , Fabiana Ribeiro Caldara 1
Affiliations

1 School of Agricultural Science (FCA), Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados, MS, 79824-900, Brazil.
2 School of Agricultural Science (FCA), Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados, MS, 79824-900, Brazil. am.odakura@gmail.com.
3 Department of Animal Production and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (FMVZ), São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, 18618-687, Brazil.

PMID: 39732892
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-82637-8

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two styles of classical music, based on different tempos (BPM), on the physiological and blood parameters of horses during social isolation and restriction of movements. First experiment was carried out using nine horses of no defined breed, distributed in Control, Slow-tempo music and Moderate-tempo music .For social isolation and restriction of movement, the animals were housed daily in individual stalls for two hours and exposed to the stimuli for 60 min, and eye temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate were assessed. The second experiment was carried out using ten horses of no defined breed, distributed in a randomized design in treatments: Slow-tempo Music and Moderate-tempo Music. Blood samples were taken at the start and end of the experimental period to assess hematological and biochemical parameters and serum serotonin levels. Horses exposed to moderate-tempo music showed an increase in serum calcium levels, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and total hemoglobin concentration, as well as a reduction in lymphocytes. Both types of music led to a significant increase in serotonin levels after one week of stimulation. Both musical rhythms are appropriate for promoting the well-being and health of stabled horses.

Keywords: Environmental enrichment; Equine; Eye temperature; Heart rate; Infrared thermography; Well-being.

© 2024. The Author(s).