New Research Highlights Gaps in Current Understanding of Stress in Dressage Horses
Dressage is widely regarded as the pinnacle of equestrian harmony, where subtlety and precision define the partnership between horse and rider. Yet recent scientific work is prompting deeper examination of how competition demands manifest in equine stress-related behaviours. A new study published in Animals provides one of the broadest datasets to date on stress responses in dressage horses across competition levels, and raises compelling questions for trainers, judges and welfare advocates alike.
Key Findings From the Latest Study
Researchers from the Brno University of Technology in the Czech Republic observed more than 200 horse-and-rider combinations competing from elementary to grand prix level. Every participant’s noseband was measured using the FEI noseband measuring device, and almost all complied with regulatory fit. Behaviour during tests was coded using an established ethogram that included mouth opening, head position, tail swishing and other conflict indicators.
The study’s major takeaways were:
Stress behaviours rise with test difficulty, with higher-level horses exhibiting more frequent conflict signals, even as the variety of behaviours becomes more concentrated.
Judges’ scores did not reflect stress patterns at medium level and above, suggesting that welfare-related behaviours may go unnoticed or unpunished within current scoring frameworks.
Double bridles were linked with more conflict behaviour than snaffles, though noseband tightness showed little direct association with stress indicators.
Lead author Simona Fialová described the divergence between observable stress and scoring as “striking,” hypothesising that judges’ cognitive focus on technical execution may leave little bandwidth for welfare-related observation.
Insights from Broader Equitation Science
This research aligns with a growing body of equitation science showing that competition leads to physiological and behavioural stress responses in horses. For example, studies by McGreevy and colleagues have repeatedly shown that rein tension patterns, bit type and noseband use influence head-neck position and conflict behaviour even in non-competitive settings. Other work has documented rises in heart rate and salivary cortisol in horses engaged in competition compared with training environments, signalling anticipatory stress that can precede arena entry. Such findings underscore the multifactorial nature of stress that goes beyond observable behaviour alone.
Further, research presented at international welfare symposia has highlighted that horses showing signs of conflict behaviour may nonetheless achieve high scores, because current judging criteria emphasise precision over indicators of comfort. The International Society for Equitation Science has advocated for expanded welfare criteria in performance assessment for several years.
Where the Evidence Could Be Stronger
While these findings are valuable, there remain important gaps:
Physiological measures alongside behaviour. Behavioural analysis is crucial, but combining it with objective biomarkers such as heart rate variability, cortisol profiles and even infrared thermography could better differentiate physical exertion from psychological stress. This multimodal approach has been recommended by leading equine welfare researchers but is not yet commonplace in competition studies.
International and diverse samples. The Czech study, while expansive, focuses on national competitions in one region. Larger datasets spanning international events, varied climates and management systems could enhance generalisability.
Judging frameworks and welfare metrics. Given the disconnect between stress behaviours and scores, controlled trials examining the impact of incorporating welfare markers into judging criteria could be highly informative. Research could evaluate whether additional scoring for indicators such as relaxation, rhythmic consistency and comfort behaviours correlates with better long-term outcomes for horses.
Longitudinal studies. Most research to date is cross-sectional, capturing snapshots of behaviour at a given event. Longitudinal work following horses over a season could reveal how repeated competition exposure affects stress trajectories and performance.
Practical Implications for the Dressage Community
For riders, trainers, officials and owners, this body of research underlines the importance of interpreting stress signals as meaningful aspects of equine experience. Tack choice, training progression, warm-up routines and competition preparation all intersect with welfare outcomes. Scientific insight offers an evidence base to refine practices that support both performance and wellbeing. Importantly, acknowledging stress-related behaviours does not inherently dismiss a horse’s ability to perform at high levels. Rather, it encourages a holistic view of athleticism that includes physiological comfort and psychological state as integral to sustainable sport.
Ultimately, equitation science continues to highlight the complex interplay between technique, behaviour and welfare in competition environments. Observing and responding to stress-related behaviours with both empathy and evidence could contribute to a more humane and resilient future for dressage at every level.
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Fialová, Simona, et al., ‘Stress Responses in Dressage Horses: Insights from FEI Noseband Measurements Across National Competition Levels’, Animals, 2024.
McGreevy, Paul D., and Andrew N. McLean, ‘Roles of Learning Theory and Ethology in Equitation’, Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2007, 2(4), pp. 108 to 118.
McGreevy, Paul D., et al., ‘The Use of the Double Bridle and Rein Tension in Dressage Horses’, Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2012, 7(5), pp. 298 to 305.
International Society for Equitation Science, ‘Position Statement on Aversive Stimuli in Horse Training’, ISES, 2018.
von Lewinski, Marion, et al., ‘Cortisol Release, Heart Rate and Behavioural Response to Competition in Sport Horses’, Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2013, 147(1 to 2), pp. 49 to 56.
International Federation for Equestrian Sports, FEI Dressage Rules, latest edition, Lausanne: FEI.
Dyson, Sue, ‘Pain Ethogram for Ridden Horses: Development and Application’, Equine Veterinary Education, 2018, 30(12), pp. 624 to 632.
