Research

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14 pages, 1109 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Lactate Minimum Speed-Guided Training on the Fluid, Electrolyte and Acid-Base Status of Horses

by Angélica C. Titotto, Maíra M. Santos, Gabriel V. Ramos, Milena dos S. Adão, Guilherme V. Benvenuto, Luciana C. C. De Lacerda, Júlio A. N. Lisbôa and José C. Lacerda-Neto

Animals 2023, 13(20), 3290; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13203290 - 21 Oct 2023

Viewed by 857

Abstract

The effect of lactate minimum speed (LMS)-guided training on horses’ homeostasis is still unknown. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of an LMS-guided training program on the fluid, electrolyte and acid-base status of horses. Ten untrained Arabian horses were submitted to [...] Read more.

The effect of lactate minimum speed (LMS)-guided training on horses’ homeostasis is still unknown. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of an LMS-guided training program on the fluid, electrolyte and acid-base status of horses. Ten untrained Arabian horses were submitted to an LMS test on a treadmill before and after six weeks of training. The training intensity was 80% of the LMS in the first three sessions and 100% of the LMS in the other sessions. The venous blood was collected before (T-1) and after (T-2) training at rest, during and after the LMS test for lactate, pH, pCO₂, HCO₃⁻, and electrolyte measurements. The LMS and strong ion difference (SID₄) were calculated. A mild increase in the mean values (p > 0.05) was observed at rest in T-2 in comparison with T-1 in the following variables: pH (from 7.436 ± 0.013 to 7.460 ± 0.012), pCO₂ (from 42.95 ± 1.58 to 45.06 ± 0.81 mmHg), HCO₃⁻ (from 27.01 ± 1.02 to 28.91 ± 0.86 mmol/L), and SID₄ (from 33.42 ± 1.45 to 35.06 ± 2.94 mmol/L). During T-2, these variables were more stable than during T-1. Despite the improvement in fitness, the LMS did not indicate a significant difference (from 5.40 ± 0.55 to 5.52 ± 0.20 m/s). The results confirmed that the LMS-guided training program had a positive impact on the horses’ acid-base status, although some adaptations are still required to improve their fitness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Equine Physiology)

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15 pages, 3435 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Equine Behavioural and Physiological Responses to Auditory Stimuli in the Presence and Absence of Noise-Damping Ear Covers

by Clare Hole, Rachel Murray, David Marlin and Paul Freeman

Animals 2023, 13(9), 1574; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13091574 - 08 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4127

Abstract

Despite numerous studies investigating responses to visual perception, there is limited research into how horses respond to different auditory stimuli. Although ‘noise-damping’ ear covers are frequently used on sport horses to minimise distraction from external auditory stimuli, the effectiveness of ear covers has [...] Read more.

Despite numerous studies investigating responses to visual perception, there is limited research into how horses respond to different auditory stimuli. Although ‘noise-damping’ ear covers are frequently used on sport horses to minimise distraction from external auditory stimuli, the effectiveness of ear covers has not been established. This study aimed to (i) investigate the responses of horses to different sounds commonly present in a competition environment, and (ii) compare these responses in the presence and absence of ear covers. A total of 18 horses were presented with 5 sounds commonly heard in competition or stable environments both with and without ear covers, in a randomised order crossover design. Behavioural and heart rate responses were recorded. Responses were compared between sounds and with/without ear covers. Differences in physiological and behavioural responses to different complex auditory stimuli were shown. An overall difference in physiological and behavioural responses with and without ear covers was detected, although the only difference in heart rate between ear covers and no ear covers that individually achieved significance was the feed sound. These findings suggest that horses can discriminate sounds and alter their responses based on the individual stimulus, and these responses are reduced when wearing ear covers with varying effectiveness for different sounds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Equine Physiology)

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15 pages, 934 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Longitudinal Training and Workload Assessment in Young Friesian Stallions in Relation to Fitness: Part 1

by Esther Siegers, Emma van Wijk, Jan van den Broek, Marianne Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan and Carolien Munsters

Animals 2023, 13(4), 689; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040689 - 16 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2001

Abstract

Friesian stallions have to complete a 10-week studbook approval test (70-day test) consisting of dressage and driving training for acceptance as a breeding stallion. Training response of the horses to this approval program was evaluated. External workload (EW) of 16 stallions (3.2 ± [...] Read more.

Friesian stallions have to complete a 10-week studbook approval test (70-day test) consisting of dressage and driving training for acceptance as a breeding stallion. Training response of the horses to this approval program was evaluated. External workload (EW) of 16 stallions (3.2 ± 0.4 years old) was registered during the 9 weeks preceding the 70-day test (preparation period) and during 70-day test. Ridden indoor standardized exercise tests (SET), measuring heart rate (HR) and plasma lactate concentration (LA) at walk, trot and canter, were performed in week 1 (SET-I), 6 (SET-II) and 10 (SET-III) of the 70-day test. Linear mixed effect models were used to analyze HR and LA related to SETs and EW related to the phase of the study, using Akaike’s information criterion for model reduction. EW was higher in the 70-day test compared to the preparation period, with longer duration of training sessions. Compared to SET-I, horses showed increased HR and LA after canter in SET-II and SET-III, indicating that they were more fatigued. The fact that the fitness of these Friesian stallions decreased during the 70-day test suggests overtraining. To optimize training effects and welfare of these horses, the workload of the training program needs to be adjusted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Equine Physiology)

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14 pages, 797 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Longitudinal Training and Workload Assessment in Young Friesian Stallions in Relation to Fitness, Part 2—An Adapted Training Program

by Esther Siegers, Jan van den Broek, Marianne Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan and Carolien Munsters

Animals 2023, 13(4), 658; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040658 - 14 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1757

Abstract

Young Friesian stallions have to complete a 10-week training program (70-day test) for acceptance as a breeding stallion. Part one of this study showed that the 70-day test was too intense and led to reduced fitness. In the present (part two) study, the [...] Read more.

Young Friesian stallions have to complete a 10-week training program (70-day test) for acceptance as a breeding stallion. Part one of this study showed that the 70-day test was too intense and led to reduced fitness. In the present (part two) study, the effects of an adapted training program were studied. Training frequency and minutes of cantering per week were lowered compared with part one. The external workload (EW) of sixteen stallions (3.4 ± 0.8 years) was monitored during the 6-weeks before testing (preparation period) as well as during the 70-day test. Standardized exercise tests (SETs) were performed in week 1 (SET-I), 6 (SET-II), and 10 (SET-III) of the 70-day test, measuring heart rate (HR) and plasma lactate concentration (LA). Linear mixed effect models were used to analyze the EW, and the HR and LA related to the SETs. The EW increased from the preparation period to the 70-day test; this increase in the EW was lower compared with the original training program. The horses showed lower HR and LA levels in SET-III compared with SET-I. The young Friesian horses were at risk to be overtrained in part one, but the adapted training program resulted in increased fitness. This study shows that a carefully chosen program is necessary to improve the performance and welfare of (young) horses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Equine Physiology)

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9 pages, 262 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Variability Factors on Hair Cortisol, Blood Count and Milk Production of Donkeys

by Federica Salari, Chiara Mariti, Iolanda Altomonte, Angelo Gazzano and Mina Martini

Animals 2022, 12(21), 3009; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12213009 - 02 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1114

Abstract

The increased interest in donkeys because of their milk has led to changes in their farm management. Little is known about the effect of the farming systems on donkey health and welfare. Measuring hair cortisol concentrations is an emerging method to assess stress [...] Read more.

The increased interest in donkeys because of their milk has led to changes in their farm management. Little is known about the effect of the farming systems on donkey health and welfare. Measuring hair cortisol concentrations is an emerging method to assess stress in animals. To the best of our knowledge, no cortisol assessment has been done on dairy donkeys; similarly, only a few studies have investigated donkey haematological values. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the lactation phase, parity and season on blood parameters, milk yield and quality and hair cortisol in dairy donkeys. Individual samples of milk, blood and mane hair were taken from twenty jennies at 1, 6 and 10 months after parturition. Higher values of hair cortisol were found in the first sampling, suggesting temporary stress during the peri-parturition. The parity influenced the number of blood cells, which was lower in the pluriparous jennies. The season affected milk quality and mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. The latters might represent the adaptation to the environmental conditions. This study contributes to a better understanding of the biochemical processes occurring in lactating jennies, and to their physiological and wellbeing status. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Equine Physiology)

12 pages, 1308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Acute Phase Response Biomarkers in Racing Endurance Horses

by Karla Mihelić, Zoran Vrbanac, Krunoslav Bojanić, Tara Kostanjšak, Blanka Beer Ljubić, Jelena Gotić, Dražen Vnuk and Nika Brkljača Bottegaro

Animals 2022, 12(21), 2993; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12212993 - 31 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1587

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate if exercise-induced acute phase response (APR) occurs in endurance horses in response to the race. The study included 23 horses competing in an endurance competition with a successfully passed clinical examination before the race. Blood samples were collected [...] Read more.

This study aimed to evaluate if exercise-induced acute phase response (APR) occurs in endurance horses in response to the race. The study included 23 horses competing in an endurance competition with a successfully passed clinical examination before the race. Blood samples were collected before the start and within 30 min after the end of the race. Haematological and biochemical tests were performed and correlated to acute phase biomarkers changes. Values of calprotectin and haptoglobin (Hp) decreased after the races compared to values before, while concentrations of ceruloplasmin and albumin recorded a significant increase. Greater changes in calprotectin values were noted in Arabian horses compared to other breeds. Values of Hp showed a significantly greater decrease after longer races. Based on study results, endurance racing induces APR in horses characterised by significant changes in selected acute phase biomarkers. More pronounced changes were noted at races with higher average speeds, suggesting the need for thorough horse monitoring during exhausting races. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Equine Physiology)

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19 pages, 1791 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Circular Exercise Diameter on Bone and Joint Health of Juvenile Animals

by Alyssa A. Logan, Brian D. Nielsen, Kristina M. Hiney, Cara I. Robison, Jane M. Manfredi, Daniel D. Buskirk and John M. Popovich, Jr.

Animals 2022, 12(11), 1379; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12111379 - 27 May 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3243

Abstract

Circular exercise is used in many equestrian disciplines and this study aimed to determine if circle diameter impacts juvenile animal forelimb bone and joint health. On day 0, 24 calves at 9 weeks of age were assigned the following exercise treatments: small circle [...] Read more.

Circular exercise is used in many equestrian disciplines and this study aimed to determine if circle diameter impacts juvenile animal forelimb bone and joint health. On day 0, 24 calves at 9 weeks of age were assigned the following exercise treatments: small circle (12 m clockwise), large circle (18-m clockwise), treadmill, or non-exercised control. Exercise was initiated at 1.1–1.5 m/s for 5 min/d and increased 5 min weekly until reaching 30 min/d. On day 49, synovial fluid was collected from multiple joints, cartilage was collected from the proximal surface of fused third and fourth metacarpi (MC III and IV), and forelimbs underwent computed tomography scans. A statistical analysis (PROC mixed) was performed in SAS 9.4. The inside leg of the small circle treatment had a larger MC III and IV dorsopalmar external diameter than the outside (p = 0.05). The medial proximal phalanx had a greater mediolateral diameter than the lateral proximal phalanx of the small circle treatment (p = 0.01). Fetlock nitric oxide was greater in the large circle and treadmill treatments (p < 0.0001). Cartilage glycosaminoglycan concentration was greater in the outside leg of the small circle exercise treatment than the inside leg (p = 0.03). Even at slow speeds, circular exercise diameter can impact joint and bone health, but faster speeds may have greater alterations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Equine Physiology)

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Review

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14 pages, 325 KiB

Open AccessReview

Impacts of Adiposity on Exercise Performance in Horses

by Shannon Pratt-Phillips and Ahmad Munjizun

Animals 2023, 13(4), 666; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040666 - 14 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2702

Abstract

There is ample research describing the increased risk of health concerns associated with equine obesity, including insulin dysregulation and laminitis. For athletes, the negative effect of weight carriage is well documented in racing thoroughbreds (i.e., handicapping with weight) and rider weight has been [...] Read more.

There is ample research describing the increased risk of health concerns associated with equine obesity, including insulin dysregulation and laminitis. For athletes, the negative effect of weight carriage is well documented in racing thoroughbreds (i.e., handicapping with weight) and rider weight has been shown to impact the workload of ridden horses and to some degree their gait and movement. In many groups of competitive and athletic horses and ponies, obesity is still relatively common. Therefore, these animals not only are at risk of metabolic disease, but also must perform at a higher workload due to the weight of their adipose tissue. Excess body weight has been documented to affect gait quality, cause heat stress and is expected to hasten the incidence of arthritis development. Meanwhile, many equine event judges appear to favor the look of adiposity in competitive animals. This potentially rewards horses and ponies that are at higher risk of disease and reinforces the owner’s decisions to keep their animals fat. This is a welfare concern for these animals and is of grave concern for the equine industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Equine Physiology)

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