Physiological Parameters of Endurance Horses Pre- Compared to Post-Race, Correlated with Performance: A Two Race Study from Scandinavia

Abstract

Few studies have investigated the physiological parameters of endurance horses in Scandinavia. Hence, this two race study has focused on the effects of endurance racing in terms of equine clinicopathological blood parameters, heart score, and fluid use. Race A involved 15 horses (120 km). Two pre- and one post-race blood samples were taken, body condition score was assessed in triplicate pre-race, and an ECG was used to determine heart score. Race B involved 16 horses (65–120 km). One pre- and two post-race blood samples were taken. For both races, horse data as well as fluid intake estimates and cooling water were noted. Race A showed that blood haematocrit, albumin, sodium, and triglycerides increased significantly with endurance racing, whilst chloride, glucose, iron, and potassium decreased significantly. In race B, blood creatinine, cholesterol, and inorganic phosphate continued to increase significantly during the first post-race sampling period compared to pre-race levels, whilst iron, which decreased significantly during the race, increased significantly over the two post-race sampling periods. It is concluded that whilst no correlation between heart score and speed was observed, a significant correlation exists between experience and changes in blood parameters with endurance racing and between fluid intake and average speed.

The effect of exercise intensity and use of an electrolyte supplement on plasma electrolyte concentrations in the Standardbred horse

“…No significant changes were observed in the plasma chloride concentrations of the horses which participated in this trial (P > 0.05). These chloride concentrations are similar in range to values reported by Larsson et al (2013), although in some instances, they identified preand post-race differences in the plasma chloride concentrations of endurance horses (P < 0.05). White et al (1991) found plasma chloride concentrations of Thoroughbred race horses that raced for a time of approximately 1-2 min to be significantly lower than resting levels, whereas Piccione et al (2007) observed a significant, extended increase in plasma chloride concentrations in horses exercised for 1 h. As compared with resting levels, Assenza et al (2014) observed significantly reduced serum chloride concentrations in horses that took part in a 3 d jumping competition; however, when the conditions were repeated a week later, the serum chloride concentrations increased and were not significantly different from resting levels.…”

Does routine exercise induce stress and in consequence serum amyloid A (SAA) response in purebred Arabian racehorses?

“…This statement is consistent with the results of several studies which examined the effect of high-intensity exercise on the plasma SAA concentration in horses undergoing different types of training. Larsson et al (2013) have reported that the SAA concentration increase significantly by more than 1800 %, in horses participating in a 120 km endurance ride, in comparison to the resting values. T0 -at rest, T1 -immediately after the end of exercise, T2 -30 minutes after the end of the effort, T3 -24 hours after the first sampling a,b -means marked with different superscripts differ at p!0.05 !…”

Action Mechanisms and Pathophysiological Characteristics of Cortisol in Horses

“…CORT is frequently used to assess stress levels induced by exercise [70,71]. Different studies have been carried out in relation to stress in horses such as the load stress in tow [61], participation in equestrian dressage competition [72][73][74], competition of resistance [75] jumping [76], tourist driving and education [77]. It has been shown that moderate exercise in horse increases CORT by up to 29% compared to baseline levels through the stress response.…”