Priming for welfare: gut microbiota is associated with equitation conditions and behavior in horse athletes

Sci Rep. 2020 May 20;10(1):8311. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-65444-9.

Abstract

We simultaneously measured the fecal microbiota and multiple environmental and host-related variables in a cohort of 185 healthy horses reared in similar conditions during a period of eight months. The pattern of rare bacteria varied from host to host and was largely different between two time points. Among a suite of variables examined, equitation factors were highly associated with the gut microbiota variability, evoking a relationship between gut microbiota and high levels of physical and mental stressors. Behavioral indicators that pointed toward a compromised welfare state (e.g. stereotypies, hypervigilance and aggressiveness) were also associated with the gut microbiota, reinforcing the notion for the existence of the microbiota-gut-brain axis. These observations were consistent with the microbiability of behaviour traits (> 15%), illustrating the importance of gut microbial composition to animal behaviour. As more elite athletes suffer from stress, targeting the microbiota offers a new opportunity to investigate the bidirectional interactions within the brain gut microbiota axis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal*
  • Biodiversity
  • Cohort Studies
  • Environment
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / physiology*
  • Health Status
  • Horses / microbiology*
  • Horses / physiology
  • Male
  • Phenotype
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Sports