Heart Rate Reduction by Grooming in Horses (Equus caballus) (2002)

Normando, S., Haverbeke, A., Meers, L. et al.

Abstract

Methods: We proposed to repeat the Feh and de Mazieres' study using telemetric recording of HR while grooming four areas, using a more homogenous population of horses and by using a Latin Square design.Results: Grooming all four areas significantly decreased (F4=41.43, p<0.0001) HR compared to HR during the control period (mane: 10.8%, shoulder: 14.3%, hip: 15.2%, average: 15.6%), but the effect was significantly stronger when the withers were groomed (22.1%). Conclusion: The main conclusion is that in horses grooming the withers has a calming effect.