The Changes of Heart Rates in Horses under the Ordinary Management in the Livestock Farm

Abstract

The telemeter system was equipped with horses reared under the ordinary management in the livestock farm and the cardiotachograms were recorded successively during 48-96 hours. In that time, the behavior types of horses were recorded simultaneously every 12 seconds and were compared with the heart rate. The results obtained were as follows. 1) The instant change of cardiotachogram had direct relations with the movement or behavior types. 2) The circadian cycle of heart rates had some regularity. In addition to the inherent circadian rhythm of the body or atmospheric temperature and humidity, the management of human beings especially seemed to have great effects on it. 3) The seasonal differences of the heart rate seemed to be influenced by the atmospheric temperature. That is, the heart rate was low at temperatures of 10-20°C and was high over or under that range. 4) It seemed to be possible to estimate the behavior types from the heart rate of cardiotachograms.