EFFECT OF BODY DIRECTION ON HEART-RATE IN TRAILERED HORSES

To determine whether body direction in a trailer affects the degree to which a horse is excited (and presumably stressed) during transport, heart rates were measured in 8 Thoroughbred geldings transported over a 32-km route of county roads while tethered facing forward or backwar d in a 4-horse stock trailer. Heart rates also were measured on the ho rses while they were tethered facing forward or backward in the same t railer while it was parked. Heart rates decreased during the first 10 minutes for both groups, and remained stable after the first 15 minute s. Heart rates were not significantly different between horses facing forward or backward during transport or while parked. Heart rates were significantly (P < 0.05) higher for horses during transport, compared with those of horses in a parked trailer whether facing forward or ba ckward.