Changes in Eye Temperature and Stress Assessment in Horses During Show Jumping Competitions

High stress levels in horses during sporting events can influence the animal’s performance in competitions as well as their welfare. This study investigated the use of infrared thermography (IRT) measurement as a rapid, noninvasive, and accurate method for stress assessment in horses during sport competitions and compared IRT with a commonly used physiological method used for stress assessment and salivary cortisol. IRT and salivary cortisol responses were measured 3 hours before the competition, immediately following the competition, and 3 hours after the competition, each day during the 3 days of a show jumping event. Salivary cortisol values ranged from −0.11 ± 4.51 ng/mL in 5-year-old animals to 1.10 ± 2.20 ng/mL in 4-year-old animals, whereas eye temperature values ranged from 35.84 ± 1.16°C in 6-year-old animals to 36.08 ± 1.11°C in 5-year-old animals. The results obtained suggested that IRT measurements constitute an effective method for detecting stress in horses subjected to the acute events of show jumping.