Physiological and Facial Expression Data of Pantaneiro Horses During Auditory Enrichment and Short-Term Stress

This dataset contains physiological and facial expression data collected from eight Pantaneiro horses (4 mares and 4 geldings) during exposure to auditory stimuli while subjected to social isolation and movement restriction. The study aimed to evaluate the potential of music (classical, country, and new age genres) to reduce stress responses in horses. A 4x4 Latin square design was applied in two experiments (Experiment I with mares, Experiment II with geldings), each including four auditory treatments: classical (Beethoven’s 9th Symphony), country (Hank Williams Jr.’s Ramblin’ In My Shoes), new age (Janet Marlow’s Horsing Around), and a control (no music). The dataset includes: Physiological parameters: heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), respiratory rate, ocular temperature (infrared thermography), and auricular/body surface temperature (infrared thermometer). Facial expression data: including Action Units (AUs) and Action Descriptors (ADs/EADs) such as blink (AU145), eye white increase (AD1), ear position (EAD101, EAD104), and others based on EquiFACS. Time series and summary values recorded over a 24-minute confinement period per treatment. Data are organized in CSV and/or Excel format, with clear variable definitions and metadata provided. This dataset can be reused for behavioral physiology research, auditory enrichment studies, or machine learning applications involving equine emotional states. All procedures were approved by the relevant animal ethics committee.