New Research Claims the Calming Effect of Classical Music on Horses

New research from experts at the French National Stud suggests that horses respond to hearing classical music in much the same way as humans. Namely, the report claims horses benefit from classical music's calming effects, similar to its positive impact on health and mental acuity for man.

The artfully equine hypothesis was proposed by Claire Neveux, a professor in physiologyethology and ethology at the French School of Animal Osteopathy in Caen, France, following her experiments conducted at the University of Caen and the University of Strasbourg.

The research showed that classical music "reduces intensity of stress" and "also [has] a relaxing effect" on horses, per a recent report from Horse & Hound magazine. Neveux told the publication that the classical music not only soothed the horses' nerves, it also helped their hearts:

"'During transport, the diffusion of classical music decreased several stress indicators and induced a faster post-stress heart rate recovery,' said Miss Neveux, who owns a research company called Ethonova." [...] "[C]lassical music 'appears to reduce the intensity of stress responses to these common management practices.'"

In an article from the Telegraph, the British Horseracing Authority indicated that they would be willing to further explore the effects of classical music on horses. However, they told the paper that horses are not currently allowed to wear headphones on racecourses in their official rules:

"Before we would allow a new item of equipment to be worn by a horse we would need to see definitive proof that it would be safe and beneficial to a horse's welfare, and that it could practically be used in a racecourse environment, as well as undergoing extensive testing."

According to Neveux, horses are frequently under pressure before a race and playing them classical music would calm them better than the earplugs that are sometimes used on the course today.

Below, enjoy a photo montage of horses set to classical music.

We want to hear from you. What music would you play for your horse(s)? Let us know your answer in the comments section down at the bottom of this page.

TagsClassical Music, Horses, French National Stud, Claire Neveux