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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / A Preliminary Investigation into Ridden Water Submersion Tra...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(9); 2629; doi: 10.3390/ani11092629

A Preliminary Investigation into Ridden Water Submersion Training as an Adjunct to Current Condition Training Protocols in Performance Horses.

Abstract: This observational study aimed to elucidate the effects of RWST on the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems of horses and concurrently determine whether RWST limits distal limb temperature increases previously reported during gallop training on land. A group of 15 clinically sound international event horses were recruited, and heart rate (HR), speed (km/h) and thermal images of the distal limb were analysed at set intervals during RWST training. Intervals of RWST produced a total mean HR value of 65.18 ± 3.76%, which is within the parameters for increased aerobic stamina. Mean HR increased significantly ( < 0.01) while mean distal limb temperature decreased significantly ( < 0.01) between warm-up and RWST, which contrasts with positive correlations previously reported during gallop training on land. These preliminary results suggest that RWST can be classed as a moderate submaximal intensity exercise in elite international event horses whilst restricting an increase in temperature of the distal limb that is commonly associated with tendon rupture. Horses competing at very elite levels of eventing only represent a small percentage of the total performance population; therefore, further research is needed to ascertain the physiological effects of RWST in non-elite performance horses, as well as horses competing across various equestrian disciplines.
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Publication Date: 2021-09-07 PubMed ID: 34573594PubMed Central: PMC8470757DOI: 10.3390/ani11092629Google 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.

The research article investigates Ridden Water Submersion Training (RWST) in horses and its impact on their cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems. It suggests that RWST can be moderate submaximal intensity exercise, restricting an increase in distal limb temperature, commonly linked to tendon rupture.

Objective of the Study

  • The main objective of the study was to understand the effects of Ridden Water Submersion Training (RWST) on the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems of horses. The researchers also wanted to determine if RWST limited the increase in distal limb temperature during gallop training on land.

Methodology

  • A group of 15 clinically sound international event horses were chosen for the study.
  • The researchers analyzed the horses’ heart rates (HR), speed (measured in kilometers per hour), and thermal images of the distal limbs at set intervals during the RWST training.

Results

  • The study found out that intervals of RWST resulted in an average HR value of 65.18 ± 3.76%, which is within the parameters for increased aerobic stamina.
  • There was a significant increase in the mean HR, while a significant decrease was observed in the mean distal limb temperature between the warm-up and RWST.
  • This result is contrary to previous reports that suggested a positive correlation between gallop training on land and an increase in these parameters.

Implications

  • Based on these preliminary results, the researchers suggest that RWST can be classified as a moderate submaximal intensity exercise in elite international event horses. It also restricts an increase in the temperature of the distal limb, which is commonly associated with tendon rupture.
  • However, since horses competing at elite levels of eventing only represent a small percentage of the total performance population, further research is required to understand the physiological impact of RWST in non-elite performance horses and in horses that compete in various other equestrian disciplines.

Cite This Article

APA
O' Brien C, Pegg J. (2021). A Preliminary Investigation into Ridden Water Submersion Training as an Adjunct to Current Condition Training Protocols in Performance Horses. Animals (Basel), 11(9), 2629. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11092629

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 9
PII: 2629

Researcher Affiliations

O' Brien, Claire
  • Department of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK.
Pegg, Josephine
  • Higher Education Department, University Centre Sparsholt, Winchester SO21 2NF, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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