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Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition2025; doi: 10.1111/jpn.14134

A 6-Week Training Protocol Reduces Energy Consumption in Young Lusitano Horses Used in Dressage.

Abstract: The present work aimed to evaluate the influence of a training programme on energy expenditure (EE), cost of transport (COT, cardiac beats to move the body mass during exercise) and metabolic power (Pmet) in young Purebred Lusitano horses used in dressage. With this purpose, nine male horses, ~4 years old, were evaluated before (M1) and after 6 weeks (M2) of a training programme that included 40-80 min of preparatory dressage exercises, 6×/week, individually adjusted. In M1 and M2, the animals were examined in a dressage field test (DFT), when heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR), body temperature (BT) and blood lactate were recorded. In DFT, the horses used a cardiac monitor (Polar H10) for calculation using the formulas: EE (J/kg/min) = 0.0566 × HR1.9955, COT = (HReffort-HRbasal)/kg/m × 103 and Pmet (beats/min/kg) = (HR - 35)/min/kg. The training led to a significant reduction in EE (799.9 vs. 682.8 J/min; p = 0.037) and COT (0.73 vs. 0.59 bpm/kg/m × 103; p = 0.042), without change in Pmet. Furthermore, a significant increase in peak of speed was observed (5.81 vs. 7.36 m/s; p = 0.0161). It was possible to conclude that the proposed training protocol led to greater efficiency in locomotion costs, with lower EE and COT values.
© 2025 Wiley‐VCH GmbH. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-06-11 PubMed ID: 40499506DOI: 10.1111/jpn.14134Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research focused on evaluating the effects of a 6-week training protocol on energy expenditure (EE), cost of transport (COT), and metabolic power (Pmet) of young Lusitano horses used in dressage. The study found that the training program led to a significant reduction in energy usage and transport cost, thereby enhancing the efficiency of locomotion.

Training Program and Evaluation

  • Nine male Lusitano horses, approximately 4 years old, participated in the study. They undertook a six-week training protocol, performing 40 to 80 minutes of preparatory dressage exercises, six days a week. Each horse’s training was adjusted to its individual needs.
  • Two measurements were taken: one (M1) before the training program and another (M2) after its completion. Various variables were recorded during a Dressage Field Test (DFT) at both measurements. These included heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), body temperature (BT), and blood lactate levels.

Methods and Formulas Used

  • The horses utilized a cardiac monitor, named Polar H10, during the DFT. This monitor facilitated the calculation of Energy Expenditure, Cost of Transport, and Metabolic Power.
  • The formulas used were:
    • EE (J/kg/min) = 0.0566 x HR,
    • COT = (HR – HR) / kg/m x 10, and
    • Pmet (beats/min/kg) = (HR – 35)/min/kg.

Findings and Conclusion

  • The training program led to a significant reduction in EE and COT. EE was found to drop from 799.9 J/min to 682.8 J/min, while COT reduced from 0.73 bpm/kg/m x 10 to 0.59 bpm/kg/m x 10. Metabolic power, on the other hand, remained unchanged.
  • Another significant find was the increase in peak speed, from 5.81 m/s to 7.36 m/s after the training.
  • Briefly, the 6-week training protocol enhanced the efficiency of horse locomotion by reducing energy expenditure and cost of transport while increasing speed.

Cite This Article

APA
Coelho C, Vintem C, Silva AS, Santos C, Santos AM, Leite A, Souza V, Siqueira R, Filho HCM, Simões J. (2025). A 6-Week Training Protocol Reduces Energy Consumption in Young Lusitano Horses Used in Dressage. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.14134

Publication

Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
ISSN: 1439-0396
NlmUniqueID: 101126979
Country: Germany
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Coelho, Clarisse
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusofona University, Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Evora University, Évora, Portugal.
  • I-MVET, Veterinary and Animal Research Centre (CECAV), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusofona University, Lisbon, Portugal.
Vintem, Carolina
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusofona University, Lisbon, Portugal.
Silva, Ana Sofia
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusofona University, Lisbon, Portugal.
Santos, Catarina
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusofona University, Lisbon, Portugal.
Santos, Ana Margarida
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusofona University, Lisbon, Portugal.
Leite, Anderson
  • Center for Studies, Extension and Research in Equidae, Federal University of Bahia (NEEPEq-UFBA), Salvador, Brazil.
Souza, Vinicius
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusofona University, Lisbon, Portugal.
Siqueira, Renata
  • São Paulo State University (FCAV-UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
Filho, Helio Cordeiro Manso
  • Núcleo de Pesquisa Equina, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, Brazil.
Simões, Joana
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusofona University, Lisbon, Portugal.
  • I-MVET, Veterinary and Animal Research Centre (CECAV), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusofona University, Lisbon, Portugal.
  • CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.

Grant Funding

  • This study was supported by FMV-Universidade Lusofona (Internal Financial Support).

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