Hospitalization causes a transient adverse impact on horse resting pattern

Introduction: The influence of different environments on resting patterns is very investigated in humans, but it is not completely understood in horses. This study aimed to identify differences in resting patterns of athletic horses subjected to the hospital environment.

Materials and Methods: Eight Quarter Horses from the Equestrian Team of Texas A&M University were recorded by cameras for 3 days in their stalls to determine the normal resting pattern, for 5 days in the Teaching Hospital of the University, more 3 days following their return. Despite hospitalization, the horses did not undergo any procedures at the hospital.

Results: The mean times of sternal and lateral recumbency, and the number of times the horses were in sternal and lateral recumbency decreased by up to 90% on days when the horses were hospitalized (p<0.05), but the average time spent in each recumbency position did not differ between the days in the hospital. Baseline values were reached on the first night of returning to their stalls.

Discussion/Conclusion: Hospitalization for 5 days can adversely affect resting patterns in horses. All parameters returned to baseline values on the first night of their return to the normal environment. The factors that may have contributed to this negative impact were the smaller stall size, the presence of light, and less physical activity of the animal. Although not statistically significant, an 18% increase in lateral recumbency time was observed on the first day of return to the horse’s normal environment. This increase in lateral recumbency could characterize a “rebound effect”, to compensate for the restricted rest in the previous 5 days. In conclusion, the hospital environment decreases the resting times of horses transiently and the return to normality was only observed with the return to their environment.

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