BEHAVIORAL REACTIONS OF EQUINES UNDERGOING RECOVERY USING WHOLE-BODY VIBRATION AFTER INTENSE EXERCISE

Abstract

This study aims to assess behavior and facial expressions as animal-based welfare indicators in horses and to evaluate the relationship between body behavior and facial expressions with other welfare indicators, as described in the FAPESP Project number 2021/10745-3. Eight crossbreed horses were recorded during the recovery after an intense exercise session using whole-body vibration. Footages of body and face of each horse, lasting 10 minutes during the recovery phase. Heart rate and heart rate variability were recorded, blood samples were collected to analyze serum cortisol levels and infrared thermographic images of the ocular caruncle of both eyes were taken. The videos of the body will be used for body expression assessment, considering the nonspecific behavior indicators and the specific behavior indicators for limbs and feet in horses. The facial expression assessment will be performed on four video clips selected from different parts of the 10-minute footage and on the still images extracted from the facial videos according to the presence or absence of each specific facial expression feature for behavior. Statistical analysis will be made over time, both intragroup and intergroup at the same time, and the behavioral variables will be evaluated using a methodology composed of sequential strategies, which combines univariate and multivariate analyzes.