Have you ever thought to yourself, do horses like music? Does the power of music extend beyond humans to benefit horses as well? For the answer, we refer to a 2015 study published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. It suggests that music might indeed positively impact the well-being of racehorses. Continue reading to learn more about this illuminating study. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.
Do Horses Like Music?
Researchers performed this study in Poland. They aimed to determine if playing music in the barn could influence equines. Specifically referring to the emotional state and performance of race horses. They conducted a study with 70 three-year-old Purebred Arabian horses in their first racing season. These equines were divided into two groups, a “Music Group” and a “No Music Group”. The experimental “Music Group” had 40 horses that listened to music for five hours each afternoon. The control “No Music Group” had 30 equines that did not listen to any music. The researchers measured the horses’ emotional states using heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) as indicators of calmness or stress, taking these measurements at rest, during saddling, and during a warm-up walk with a rider, every 30 to 35 days over six months.
The findings were exciting, with equines exposed to music showing signs of reduced stress after just one month. Their heart rate and heart rate variability measures indicated a calmer state compared to the equines that did not listen to music. The calming effects of the music were even more pronounced during the second and third months. Moreover, the equines in the music group not only appeared calmer but also performed better in races, winning more prizes than those in the no music group.
