Evaluation of Stress in Riding Horses, During the Horse-Assisted Therapy Activities in the Case of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autor: Ana Maria ZAGRAI (MAIEREAN), Gabriel COTOR, Gavrilă ZAGRAI, Gabriel GÂJÂILĂ, Marian GHIȚĂ, Alina Maria IONESCU, Dragos Corneliu COTOR, Aurel DAMIAN
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
Zdroj: Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca: Veterinary Medicine, Vol 79, Iss 1, Pp 66-70 (2022)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1843-5270
1843-5378
DOI: 10.15835/buasvmcn-vm:2021.0030
Popis: Animal stress is a current topic intensely addressed. The general adaptation syndrome, following short exposure to stressors with low or medium intensity, has a positive effect, inducing eustress and improving adaptive capacity. Exposure to strong stressors or over a long period of time has the effect of inducing distress. The aim was to evaluate the stressful effect they have on horses, the specific activities of equine-assisted therapy, in the case of children with autism spectrum disorders. Were used 10 riding horses (8 females and 2 males), of purebred English breed, divided into 2 groups, aged between 4-8 years. The animals had the same maintenance conditions and lifestyle. Samples were taken from the jugular vein in 5 ml heparinized tubes. The parameters were determined using a ProCyte Dx Hematology Analyzer. The data obtained were statistically analyzed, calculating the Mean and Standard Deviation (Microsoft Excel). The results show that the specific activities of equine-assisted therapy do not have a stressful effect on the pathways used. These activities were less stressful than regular recreational riding activities in a riding school, subjecting the animal to less intense physical exertion than daily activities.
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