Changes in the eye blink and half-blink rates in horses as a reaction to a stressor: A preliminary study

IF 2.2 2区农林科学 Q1 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Applied Animal Behaviour Science Pub Date : 2024-11-01 DOI:10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106430

Jarosław Łuszczyński , Iwona Janczarek , Bogusława Długosz , Karolina Wałek , Beata Kaczmarek , Joanna Barłowska

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Abstract

It was assumed that the full-blink and half-blink rates (eye blink rate, EBR) increased in horses after stress, with these rates decreasing gradually after that. This study aimed to analyze the horses’ EBR for three minutes following exposure to a stressor. The tests were conducted on ten horses at rest /before test/ after a test involving a new object. The EBR was analyzed using Kinovea software [version 0.9.5]. Moreover, HR was measured with a stethoscope, and behavior was assessed using a 5-point scale. Compared to rest and pre-test, HR post-test increased significantly, and scores for behavior decreased during the test. There were no significant differences between EBRs in consecutive minutes at rest and pre-test. After the test, only the frequency of half-blinks and full-blinks and half-blinks together decreased significantly in the following minutes of measurement. Significant differences between EBR at rest and after the test and between EBR before and after the test occurred at each minute of the test. Only in the case of behavioral assessment and HR, the results correlated significantly. It was concluded that the analysis of EBR as a method for assessing horse stress should not be regarded as fully reliable and effective at this stage of research, as the results from this range did not correlate with the HR and the scores for behavior. In addition, it was suggested that the full-blink rate was worth using for further research.

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马的眨眼和半眨眼率变化是对压力的一种反应：初步研究

据推测，马匹在受到应激后，全眨眼和半眨眼的频率（眨眼率，EBR）会增加，之后会逐渐降低。本研究旨在分析马匹在受到压力后三分钟内的眨眼率。测试对象是十匹马，它们在静止状态下/测试前/测试后接受了涉及新物体的测试。EBR使用Kinovea软件[0.9.5版]进行分析。此外，还使用听诊器测量了心率，并使用 5 点量表对行为进行了评估。与休息和测试前相比，测试后心率显著增加，而测试期间的行为评分则有所下降。休息时和测试前连续几分钟的心率没有明显差异。测试后，只有半眨眼、全眨眼和半眨眼的频率在随后几分钟的测量中明显下降。在测试的每一分钟，静息时和测试后的眨眼次数之间以及测试前和测试后的眨眼次数之间都存在明显差异。只有行为评估和心率的结果有明显的相关性。结论是，在现阶段的研究中，EBR 分析作为评估马匹压力的一种方法不应被视为完全可靠和有效，因为该范围的结果与心率和行为评分不相关。此外，有专家建议，全眨眼率值得进一步研究。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Applied Animal Behaviour Science 农林科学-行为科学

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

21.70%

发文量

191

审稿时长

18.1 weeks

期刊介绍： This journal publishes relevant information on the behaviour of domesticated and utilized animals. Topics covered include: -Behaviour of farm, zoo and laboratory animals in relation to animal management and welfare -Behaviour of companion animals in relation to behavioural problems, for example, in relation to the training of dogs for different purposes, in relation to behavioural problems -Studies of the behaviour of wild animals when these studies are relevant from an applied perspective, for example in relation to wildlife management, pest management or nature conservation -Methodological studies within relevant fields The principal subjects are farm, companion and laboratory animals, including, of course, poultry. The journal also deals with the following animal subjects: -Those involved in any farming system, e.g. deer, rabbits and fur-bearing animals -Those in ANY form of confinement, e.g. zoos, safari parks and other forms of display -Feral animals, and any animal species which impinge on farming operations, e.g. as causes of loss or damage -Species used for hunting, recreation etc. may also be considered as acceptable subjects in some instances -Laboratory animals, if the material relates to their behavioural requirements