Effects of chiropractic on horse welfare: a pilot study using smart technologies

Equine chiropractic is a commonly practised medicine but is not yet supported by scientific evidence. This preliminary study aimed to investigate the effects of chiropractic on healthy horses using objective animal-based measures of heart rate variability (HRV), infrared thermography (IRT of the eye), and behavioural discomfort score (BDS). Eight mares were selected and underwent a 15-day habituation period to chiropractic care. The mares were then randomly assigned to grooming (CTRL) and chiropractic (CHIRO) sessions, both performed by the same qualified chiropractor. During CHIRO, the chiropractor assessed musculoskeletal hypomobility and treated the mares accordingly, whereas, during CTRL, grooming was performed on the same body regions as CHIRO. The experimental procedures were repeated after 10 days. Before (Pre), during (Dur), and after (Post) both sessions, HRV was continuously recorded and the horses were video-recorded. Maximum eye temperature (Te) was recorded before (T0), after (T1), and the day after (T24) each session. The effect of phase (i.e., PreBasal vs DurCTRL vs DurCHIRO vs PostCTRL vs PostCHIRO; T0Basal vs T1CTRL vsT1CHIRO vs T24CTRL vsT24CHIRO) was tested with linear mixed models. No differences were found for HRV and Te, suggesting that the autonomic response to CHIRO and CTRL was equal and not altered from the baseline value (Pre/T0). Conversely, BDS differed in CHIRO (p<0.01), increasing Dur and decreasing Post. In conclusion, chiropractic caused a transient discomfort, without any sympathetic shift. Therefore, thanks to smart technologies, we can objectively confirm that chiropractic could be performed by experts causing transient behavioural discomfort without physiological distress and pain in horses. © 2024 11th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming. All rights reserved.