The aims of this study were to analyze the indices of mineral, enzymatic, protein and lipid metabolism, and the antioxidant status in horses trained for jumping after prolonged exercise. A total of 10 Slovak warmblood horses (aged 6-15 years) trained for jumping were used. Blood samples were taken before and after the jumping training (control), immediately after prolonged exercise and after the following 36 h of rest. Control samplings showed no signs of exerciseinduced dehydration, but an increase of haematological indices, increased concentration of lactate and increased activity of lactate dehydrogenase whose changes may be indicative of splenic blood efflux and activation of anaerobic metabolism. On the other hand, changes of biochemical indices (such as: increased alanine aminotrasferase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase, decreased K and Fe, increased malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase) that are indicative for the muscle membrane leakage, oxidative stress and electrolyte imbalances, and alterations of intermediary metabolism were found due to the non-standard prolonged exercise. Although this study demonstrates that trained horses adapted to a certain exercise regimen are exposed to oxidative and metabolic stress by non-standard prolonged workload, further research is required to assign an appropriate resting regime needed to compensate for the induced biochemical changes.
Equine, metabolic indices, antioxidants, performanceAs published by Robert et al. (2010), studies on endurance and prolonged exercising horses often report only descriptive results, and physiological explanation of changes responsible for the observed alterations is rarely provided. It is probably due to the alterations of plasma volume which vary in horses subjected to the different physical performance on a variety of environmental conditions, as reviewed by Carlson (1987). Hypovolaemia caused by exercise-induced dehydration is a problem to which mostly endurance and prolonged exercising horses must respond.It is well known that during prolonged exercise in horses, loss of water and electrolyte via sweat may develop exhaustion with hypovolaemia and electrolyte changes, which subsequently result in fatigue, metabolic disturbances, fractures and even death. For example, positive correlation between exercise intensity and gastric ulceration severity was proven by Bezdekova et al. (2005). Physiologically speaking, correct interpretation of the metabolic changes after prolonged or endurance exercise in horses is required, because it can help the veterinarian, trainer, or owner to choose appropriate training and post-exercise recovery as well as adequate dietary supplementation.The aim of this study was to determine the influence of a non-standard prolonged exercise in horses trained for jumping on chosen haematological and biochemical indices which are related to mineral, enzymatic, protein and lipid metabolism and to the antioxidant status.
Material and Methods
AnimalsTen clinically healthy Slovak warmblood ...