Smith B L, Jones J H, Carlson G P, Pascoe J R
Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616.
Am J Vet Res. 1994 Jul;55(7):1007-11.
To determine whether body direction in a trailer affects the degree to which a horse is excited (and presumably stressed) during transport, heart rates were measured in 8 Thoroughbred geldings transported over a 32-km route of county roads while tethered facing forward or backward in a 4-horse stock trailer. Heart rates also were measured on the horses while they were tethered facing forward or backward in the same trailer while it was parked. Heart rates decreased during the first 10 minutes for both groups, and remained stable after the first 15 minutes. Heart rates were not significantly different between horses facing forward or backward during transport or while parked. Heart rates were significantly (P < 0.05) higher for horses during transport, compared with those of horses in a parked trailer whether facing forward or backward.
为了确定在拖车内马匹的朝向是否会影响其在运输过程中的兴奋程度（以及推测的应激程度），研究人员对8匹纯种阉马的心率进行了测量。这些马被拴在一辆可载4匹马的运畜拖车内，分别朝前或朝后，在一条32公里长的县道上运输。同时，当拖车停放时，也对这些马朝前或朝后拴着时的心率进行了测量。两组马在最初10分钟内心率均下降，在最初15分钟后保持稳定。运输过程中或停放时，朝前或朝后的马的心率没有显著差异。与停在拖车内的马（无论朝前或朝后）相比，运输过程中的马的心率显著更高（P < 0.05）。
