The Effects of Music on Horses by Christine H. Macdonald, 2001

The Effects of Music on Horses

by Christine H. Macdonald, 2001

Christine H. Macdonald explores whether slow classical and meditation music can help horses relax and whether music could become a conditioned signal for calm behaviour. Four horses were observed while different pieces were played, with heart rates and behavioural responses used to compare their reactions.

Project abstract

This Horse Psychology Project investigates whether music has a relaxing effect on horses and whether a particular piece could become associated with calmness through conditioning.

Four horses took part: May-Cherie, Taz, Carbosa and Sophus. They were selected as two contrasting pairs, with a nervous and a calm horse in each pair. The horses were placed individually in familiar stables, with external disturbances reduced as far as possible. Their heart rates were measured before music began and after 10 and 20 minutes of listening.

Four pieces of acoustic classical or meditation music were tested: music by J.S. Bach, a reflexology meditation piece, July by Mark Pinkus and Vivaldi’s Largo e pianissimo sempre. Behavioural observations and heart rates suggested that the horses responded most calmly to the Vivaldi piece.

For one week, Vivaldi was played during twice-daily 30-minute sessions while stroking and patting were used as positive reinforcement. Christine then tested whether the music had become a conditioned signal for relaxation. The horses were startled using a large, noisy piece of cloth. One pair heard the music before and during the test, while the other heard it beforehand but not during the startling event.

Christine concluded that the music appeared to promote relaxed behaviour and lower heart rates. However, the evidence that conditioning helped the horses recover more quickly after being startled was inconclusive. She emphasised that four horses were insufficient for firm scientific conclusions and recommended a larger, more tightly controlled study.