The following year, in 2007, Marie Peeters began her doctoral research, which directly prolonged the work carried out at the end of the Master cycle. She began by scientifically validating the use of saliva for cortisol dosage. This method resulted in undoubted progress with regard to the well-being of the animal in applied research, because it made it possible from that point on to use the concentrations of cortisol in the saliva as a basis for studying the stress level of the horse (1).   

The objective of the rest of the thesis is two-fold: it involves studying the stress level of a horse during a competition, but also in a hospital environment. “Two situations of domestication, two moments in the life of a horse likely to cause stress in the animal” believes Marie Peeters. In addition, the researcher also intends to verify the existence of a link between the temperament of a horse and its level of stress through her work.

Eustress of the horse, distress of the rider

The stress caused by the competition can stem from the physical effort involved, the transportation, the change of physical and social environment and, hypothetically, the stress felt by the rider himself. Several questions are raised: firstly, does the competition generate significant stress for the horse or for the rider? Is it possible in practice to study this level of stress? Is there a correlation between the stress of the horse and its performances?  “This question can seem pointless as the answer appears to be obvious, however, this correlation, and the nature thereof has never been demonstrated” the researcher points out. And finally, is there a relationship between the temperament of the horse and the stress it feels during a competition?

(1) Peeters, M., J. Sulon, et al. (2011). "Comparison between blood serum and salivary cortisol concentrations in horses using an adrenocorticotropic hormone challenge." Equine Veterinary Journal 43(4): 487-493.