Influence of virtual reality stallion collection simulation on student salivary cortisol levels

Stallion handling and collection require expertise in horse behavior and the ability to manage horses. This, coupled with inexperienced collegiate students enrolled in equine courses, can lead to potentially precarious situations. Providing hands-on learning opportunities is essential, and incorporating virtual reality (VR) simulations may enhance student preparedness, reducing risks to both students and animals. This study investigated the impact of a VR stallion collection simulation on student stress levels, measured through salivary cortisol concentration (SCC), before and after hands-on stallion collection, with subsequent assessment of student perceptions of the VR training. We hypothesized that VR participants would have lower SCC post stallion collection. Collegiate students enrolled in an equine production and management course, with no prior stallion handling experience, were randomly assigned to either the control (n = 27) or VR group (n = 30). Saliva samples were collected via SalivaBio oral swab 20 min before entering the breeding facility and 20 min after hands-on stallion collection. Participants in the VR group engaged in a 20-min VR stallion collection simulation immediately before the hands-on activity. Cortisol concentrations were analyzed by Salimetrics (Carlsbad, CA), and data were evaluated using a general linear model with least significant differences (SPSS). Pre-collection SCC did not differ between groups (0.226 ± 0.019 µg/dL; P = 0.657); however, post-collection SCC was lower in the VR group (0.180 ± 0.026 µg/dL) compared with control (0.271 ± 0.028 µg/dL; P = 0.019). A post-activity survey revealed 90% of students in the VR group found the VR experience enjoyable, whereas 10% reported slight motion sickness. Regarding confidence in handling or collecting a stallion, students indicated that confidence was increased not at all (0%), very little (6.67%), somewhat (56.67%), or to a great extent (36.67%). These findings suggest that the VR simulation reduced student stress during hands-on stallion collection while increasing perceived preparedness and confidence, potentially enabling greater focus and safer participation in hands-on activities.