Review finds promise, but limits, for equine behavior biomarkers

A new scoping review in BMC Veterinary Research maps the evidence for neuroendocrinological biomarkers that might eventually support equine behavioral medicine in practice. The review, published April 27, 2026, examined roughly two decades of literature and found that ACTH, cortisol, and serotonin were the most commonly studied markers, with oxytocin, melatonin, dopamine, and tryptophan appearing less often. The authors conclude that wide variation in study design, sample collection, assay methods, and reporting standards makes the current clinical value of these biomarkers hard to determine, even as interest in more objective measures of equine emotional state and welfare continues to grow. (link.springer.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the paper is less a practice-changing endorsement than a reality check. It suggests biomarkers may eventually help support behavioral assessment, welfare evaluation, and perhaps treatment selection, but not yet in a standardized, clinic-ready way. That caution is important because cortisol and related markers are already widely discussed in equine welfare work, yet prior reviews have also noted contradictory findings and major confounders, including sampling effects and differences in biological matrix, timing, and context. (link.springer.com)

What to watch: Expect the next phase of work to focus on standardized protocols, clearer definitions of emotional states, and studies that test whether biomarker panels can add useful signal alongside behavioral exams in real clinical settings. (link.springer.com)