A new study from Czech researchers examines stress responses in dressage horses, finding that behaviors indicating stress rise with competition difficulty despite compliant noseband fittings. Published in the journal Animals, the research analyzed over 200 horse-rider combinations at national events. Judges' scores from medium level upward did not account for observed stress indicators.
Researchers from the Czech Republic, led by Simona Fialová of Brno University of Technology, investigated how noseband tightness affects stress expression in dressage horses during national competitions. The study, published in Animals, initially focused on noseband fit using the FEI tool but found nearly all of the more than 200 evaluated combinations compliant. Instead, the team shifted to analyzing stress behaviors across levels from elementary to grand prix, considering noseband types, bridle choices, and judges' scores.
Stress-related behaviors increased with test difficulty. At lower levels, horses displayed a wider variety, such as mouth opening, tail swishing, behind-the-vertical posture, or reluctance. At higher levels, behaviors were fewer in type but more frequent, with mouth-related responses dominating. Horses in double bridles showed more conflict behaviors than those in snaffles. Notably, from medium level upward, judges' scores did not reflect the extent of stress behaviors observed.
Fialová highlighted key surprises: "The disconnect between stress and judging above medium level was striking. Even when horses showed high levels of conflict behaviour – over 70% of the test at grand prix – scores remained unaffected." She also noted the impact of noseband style at lower levels: "horses ridden with a Swedish crank noseband (with leverage buckles) showed significantly fewer mouth-related issues compared with a plain English cavesson and flash. This deserves deeper investigation, because the reason may relate to pressure distribution."
The findings align with prior research on how technical demands elevate stress but add new insights, including data across six national levels showing narrowing stress expression as levels rise and high FEI noseband rule compliance. Fialová emphasized judges' challenges at grand prix, suggesting a dedicated harmony or welfare mark.
Danish veterinarian Mette Uldahl described the work as "thought-provoking," stating: "While noseband tightness is central to the research question, the findings reinforce something that has been shown repeatedly: discipline and level significantly influence the horse’s lived experience under saddle." She added that higher-level horses consistently show more reactivity and open-mouth behavior.