2018 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program: Seattle, Washington, June 14 - 15, 2018

No significant changes were observed in maternal or fetal RR intervals and HR. In the fetuses, the standard deviation of beat-to-beat interval (SDNN) decreased significantly from 38.08 ± 2.6 ms to 28. 9 ± 2.4 ms (p < 0.05), but the root mean square of successive beat-to-beat differences (RMSSD) did not change significantly. Fetal heart rate and RR interval differed statistically from the day before delivery (163 ± 7.5 bpm; 381 ± 24.2 ms) to the day after calving (131 ± 5 bpm; 472 ± 16. The equine maternal pheromone (EMP) has been used as a tool to calm equines facing new or stressful situations, which forces physiological adaptations and alterations related mainly to increases in heartrate (HR) and behavioral alterations. This study aims at assessing the effects of EMP treatment in colts undergoing hoof trimming for the first time, employing the behavior of heartrate variability (HRV) as the main parameter. We assessed 20 colts with average age of 9 months that underwent hoof trimming for the first time. The animals were divided in two groups and a randomized double blind experimental design was employed. The treatments (EMP and placebo) were administered and the Holter monitor was put in place. After 20 minutes, the procedure was started. The HR (measured through the conventional method) and HRV were measure at two moments: 20 minutes before trimming (M1) and immediately after trimming (M2 The measurement of heart rate variability (HRV) was reported as an acceptable method for assessing the level of stress and numerically express the neurohormonal effect exerted on the heart rate. Normal values for physiological parameters in larger breeds are often used as reference values in ponies. However, heart rate increases in smaller animals and, in adult ponies, is higher than in adult warmblood horses.