Impact of a Riding Event and Ambient Temperature on the Heart Rate of Gotlandsruss Ponies.

Visitors to zoos present unpredictable visual and auditory stimulation for captive animals. Coupled with high ambient temperatures this might prove stressful for animals involved in human interactions. This study aims to determine if Gotlandsruss ponies are stressed by visitors during a childrens riding event at Slottsskogen, a zoo park, in Gothenburg, Sweden and whether ambient temperature also had an impact. Decibel level, temperature, and the ponies heart rate were monitored during the event. Each pony's maximum rate during exercise and resting heart rate were measured to compare with heart rates during the riding event. The impact of sound from visitors and environmental temperature on heart rate was also investigated. The ponies' heart rate during the event would not suggest that they find the event stressful. The resting heart rate was equal that measured on their break during the event and the event heart rate was much lower than that during exercise. Only a few significant correlations could be found between decibel level and heart rate measures, suggesting sound was not an important factor. Temperature and heart rate were however correlated, thus heart rate does increase with temperature. Since the thermal conditions affected heart rate, facilities holding such events should consider methods of increasing shadow coverage for the animals, as well as a temperature limit after which the event will pause for a time. Ambient temperature affected Gotlandsruss ponies, thus providing animals opportunities to cool down in warmer conditions may increase animal welfare.