Topic:Athletic Performance
Athletic performance in horses refers to the physical capabilities and endurance of horses in various equestrian activities, including racing, dressage, show jumping, and eventing. This topic encompasses the study of physiological, biomechanical, and genetic factors that influence a horse's ability to perform athletically. Research in this area often focuses on aspects such as muscle function, cardiovascular capacity, and respiratory efficiency, as well as training methods and nutritional strategies that can enhance performance. This page collates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the determinants, assessment, and enhancement of athletic performance in horses.
Effect of third carpal slab fracture and repair on racing performance in Thoroughbred horses: 31 cases (1977-1984). Between 1977 and 1984, 31 Thoroughbred horses (mean age, 2.8 years) were surgically treated for slab fractures of the third carpal bone. All fractures involved the articular surfaces of the intercarpal and the carpometacarpal joints in a frontal plane and had a cuboidal or slab shape. In 20 of the horses, the bone was fractured during racing and in 8 of the horses, the bone was fractured during race training. The right limb was affected more frequently than was the left limb (24 vs 7, P less than 0.05). Twenty-one (67.6%) horses raced at least once after recovery from the surgery. Data were av...
Effect of exercise on the partitioning of equine respiratory resistance. Pleural, tracheal, pharyngeal and mask pressures as well as airflow and tidal volume of five ponies on a treadmill (incline 8.3 degrees) were recorded simultaneously while resting, walking, trotting slowly, trotting fast, after standing for 30 secs and 5 mins after the end of the exercise. The curves obtained were used to calculate total pulmonary resistance (RL), lower airway resistance (RLA) and upper airway resistance (RUA). The latter was also divided into nasal resistance (Rnas) and laryngeal plus extrathoracic tracheal resistance (Retr + lar). Furthermore, the inspiratory and expiratory ...
Propagation of a dorsal cortical fracture of the third metacarpal bone in two horses. Seemingly, propagation of a dorsal cortical fracture in the third metacarpal bone developed after continued race performance in 2 horses. Historically, both horses had intermittent lameness that had responded to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and brief rest periods. However, lameness in both horses had increased in severity. Radiography revealed a dorsal cortical fracture of the third metacarpal bone, with propagation of the fracture plane proximally. Fractures were incomplete and healed with stall rest in both horses.
Dietary requirements and athletic performance of horses. There is no clear evidence that the chronic requirement for any non-energy yielding nutrient rises in proportion as the energy requirement increases with hard work. The need for protein, and probably that for calcium, remain a function of bodyweight daily. Some proportionality with energy may exist for certain nutrients, although the evidence has not been adduced. For example, because of an increase in both the proportion and amount of propionic acid in the volatile fatty acids of caecal contents, the tissue requirement for vitamin B12 may rise with an increase in the rate of energy metabolism...
Determination and repeatability of maximum oxygen uptake and other cardiorespiratory measurements in the exercising horse. A rapid incremental treadmill exercise test was used to determine the repeatability of the following measurements in exercising horses: maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), maximal heart rate (HRmax), velocity at a heart rate of 200 beats/min (V-200), oxygen consumption at a heart rate of 200 beats/min (VO2-200), oxygen consumption at HRmax (VO2-HRmax), work rate at a heart rate of 200 beats/min (W-200), work rate at HRmax (W-HRmax) and treadmill velocity at HRmax (V-HRmax). Six Standardbred geldings were exercised on three separate occasions on a treadmill set at an inclination of 6 degrees. ...
Cardiovascular and respiratory responses to submaximal exercise training in the thoroughbred horse. Cardiovascular and respiratory responses to submaximal exercise training were investigated in 6 thoroughbred racehorses. Oxygen uptake, heart rate (HR) and arteriovenous oxygen content difference were measured during incremental treadmill exercise tests, before and after 7 weeks of treadmill training. Cardiac output during exercise was calculated by the direct Fick technique. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was increased by 23% after training, from 129.7 ml/kg/min to 160.0 ml/kg/min. The treadmill speed at which VO2max was attained increased by 19%. The increased aerobic power after training wa...
Effect of a respiratory gas collection mask on some measurements of cardiovascular and respiratory function in horses exercising on a treadmill. The effects of a respiratory gas collection mask on arterial blood gases, acid base values, oxygen content, respiratory frequency and heart rate, were investigated in standardbred horses during treadmill exercise at speeds up to 10 m sec-1 and a treadmill slope of 10 per cent. The mask had no significant effect on heart rates during exercise, but respiratory frequency was lower when the mask was used. The increase in respiratory frequency as treadmill velocity increased was also significantly slower with the mask operative. Arterial carbon dioxide tensions were significantly higher during exer...
Diaphragmatic O2 and lactate extraction during submaximal and maximal exertion in ponies. Diaphragmatic O2 and lactate extraction were studied in 10 healthy ponies at rest and during treadmill exercise. The phrenic vein was aseptically catheterized via a lateral thoracotomy 8-35 days before the study. Arterial and phrenic venous blood samples were obtained simultaneously at rest and at 30-s intervals during 4 min of exertion. Three levels of exertion were studied (moderate, 10 mi/h; heavy, 15 mi/h; maximal, 20 mi/h), and a rest period of at least 90 min was allowed between them. Each pony was studied twice at least 2-3 days apart. At rest the diaphragmatic venous PO2, O2 saturation...
Incomplete linear tibial fractures in two horses. Incomplete linear tibial fractures were identified in two horses with the aid of scintigraphy. Both horses were treated successfully by strict stall confinement, and both returned to normal athletic activity. Scintigraphy can be used to facilitate the generally difficult diagnosis of incomplete tibial fractures.
Maximum O2 uptake, O2 debt and deficit, and muscle metabolites in Thoroughbred horses. This study determined maximal O2 uptake (VO2max), maximal O2 deficit, and O2 debt in the Thoroughbred racehorse exercising on an inclined treadmill. In eight horses the O2 uptake (VO2) vs. speed relationship was linear until 10 m/s and VO2max values ranged from 131 to 153 ml.kg-1.min-1. Six of these horses then exercised at 120% of their VO2max until exhaustion. VO2, CO2 production (VCO2), and plasma lactate (La) were measured before and during exercise and through 60 min of recovery. Muscle biopsies were collected before and at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, and 60 min after exercis...
Dynamics of cardiorespiratory function in Standardbred horses during different intensities of constant-load exercise. Six Standardbred horses were used to evaluate the time course of pulmonary gas exchange, ventilation, heart rate (HR) and acid base balance during different intensities of constant-load treadmill exercise. Horses were exercised at approximately 50%, 75% and 100% maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) for 5 min and measurements taken every 30 s throughout exercise. At all work rates, the minute ventilation, respiratory frequency and tidal volume reached steady state values by 60 s of exercise. At 100% VO2 max, the oxygen consumption (VO2) increased to mean values of approximately 130 ml/kg.min, which ...
Pulmonary mechanics during treadmill exercise in race ponies. Exercise-induced variations in their ventilatory mechanics were studied in 8 healthy ponies 4.2 +/- 1.4 years old and weighing 282 +/- 11 kg. Airflow (V), tidal volume (VT), esophageal pressure, mask pressure and electrocardiogram were simultaneously recorded before, during and after a treadmill (incline 8.3 degrees) exercise which consisted of 2 min walking (1.5 m.sec-1), 3 min slow trotting (3.0 m.sec-1) and 3 min fast trotting (3.5 m.sec-1). The results of three consecutive daily measurements were averaged for each pony. Heart rate, minute volume (Ve), respiratory frequency (f) and peak ins...
Breathing during exercise: demands, regulation, limitations. In humans alveolar ventilation (VA) is adjusted almost perfectly to the metabolic demands of mild and moderate exercise. For example, in exercise transitions and in the steady state, PaCO2 rarely deviates by more than 1 to 3 mmHg from the value at rest. This near-homeostasis contrasts to most other mammalian species; equines for example, demonstrate a progressive hypocapnia and alkalosis as exercise intensity is increased to moderate levels. In equines, the control systems seem programmed for a specific hyperventilation that contributes to maintenance of PaO2 homeostasis. Generally, during hea...
The interpretation of clinicopathologic data from the equine athlete. It is the purpose of this article to review much of the information that is available regarding the adjunctive use of clinicopathologic data in evaluations of performance horses by veterinarians. Wherever possible, distinctions are made between findings that pertain to racehorses and those that apply most specifically to horses involved in "submaximal" events like combined training and endurance races. It is hoped that the material presented will clarify some of the problems associated with the interpretation of this data, and possibly stimulate the dissemination of additional information that...
Cardiac output and oxygen consumption in exercising Thoroughbred horses. This study characterizes the effects of exercise on the cardiac output (Q) and the metabolic rate (VO2) of trained Thoroughbred racehorses. Heart rate, Q, and arteriovenous (a-v)O2 difference were measured at rest and at three levels of submaximal treadmill exercise (1.6 m/s walk and 3-4 m/s trot at 6% incline, and 6.5 m/s horizontal canter). Heart rate and (a-v)O2 difference were also measured during maximal exercise (12.5 m/s gallop, 5% incline) to obtain an estimate of maximum O2 uptake (VO2max). The walk, trot, and canter represented 25, 45, and 55% VO2max. Mean heart rate went from 48.9 (...
M-mode echocardiographs of endurance horses in the recovery phase of long-distance competition. M-mode echocardiographic structures, and cardiac function indices, PCV, and total plasma protein values were determined for 34 endurance equine athletes before (base line) and after (after race) a 161-km endurance competition and were compared. The PCV (base-line mean, 37%; after-race mean, 46%) and total plasma protein value (base-line mean, 6.9 g/dl; after-race mean, 7.5 g/dl) increased. Compared with base-line echocardiography, after-race echocardiography indicated an increase in heart rate, as determined from the simultaneous ECG recorded on the echocardiograph (base-line mean, 41 beats/mi...
A review of environmental and host factors in relation to equine respiratory disease. This paper reviews the environmental and host factors which interact to affect the incidence and severity of episodes of respiratory disease in stabled horses. The folly of accepting housing criteria and management practices for the horse, based on direct extrapolations from intensive housing of meat producing animals, is discussed. The factors which affect air hygiene and physical environment of stables are considered in terms of short-term athletic performance and long-term welfare.
Ventilatory responses of the horse to exercise: effect of gas collection systems. Experiments were undertaken to determine whether respiratory masks worn by horses exercising strenuously on a treadmill may interfere with normal gas exchange. Four collection systems, two flow-through systems and two incorporating one-way valve systems with subject-generated airflow were studied. Six horses performed standard treadmill exercise tests consisting of a 2-min warm up followed by galloping 1 min each at 8,9, and 10 m/s. Each horse exercised six times while wearing each of the four respiratory masks. Each flow-through system was used twice with flow rates of 2,360 and 3,840 l/min f...
Arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of osteochondral chip fractures in the equine carpus. The technique and results of arthroscopic surgery for the removal of osteochondral fragments from 1,000 carpal joints in 591 horses are reported. Of the 591 horses, 580 were racehorses (including 349 Quarter Horses and 220 Thoroughbreds). The distal aspect of the radial carpal bone was the most commonly affected site, followed by the proximal aspect of the intermediate carpal bone and distolateral aspect of the radius. More than one carpal joint was simultaneously operated on in 58.9% of the Quarter Horses and in 37.4% of the Thoroughbreds. Marked differences in the amount of damage were noted...
Use of acupuncture for the treatment of chronic back pain in horses: stimulation of acupuncture points with saline solution injections. Fifteen horses that could not train or perform their sport at an acceptable level because of chronic back pain of 2 to 24 months' duration, and that did not obtain lasting improvement from other previous treatments, were treated with acupuncture. The treatments consisted of injection of 1 ml of sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, with no preservatives, at 9 acupuncture points. The horses were treated once a week for a mean of 9 treatments. The mean number of treatments before obvious improvement was 4. After treatment, 13 of the 15 horses had apparent alleviation of their signs of pain and co...
Multivariate statistical analysis of stride-timing measurements of nonfatigued racing Thoroughbreds. Standard univariate and bivariate statistical methods and two multivariate methods, stepwise regression and factor analyses, were used to analyze 17 stride-timing measurements of 22 racing Thoroughbreds filmed at the beginning of races. All horses were in a right-lead transverse gallop. Data were extracted from frame-by-frame analysis of 16-mm film taken with a high-speed camera. The mean stride duration was 0.405 s and the mean stride frequency was 2.47 strides/s. Stride duration had a higher correlation to the suspension-phase duration (r = 0.864) than to stride-stance-phase duration (r = 0....