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Biological markers and metabolic energy indexes of show jumping horses during a field exercise test in Portugal.
Abstract: Show jumping is a popular and complex equestrian modality practiced by a athletes of different levels. However, most studies focus on elite athletes. Objective: The aim of this work was to assess the effect of a show jumping test (SJT), designed for novice athletes, on the physiological biomarkers and energy indexes of a group of horses, bred and trained in Portugal. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, thirteen horses and their riders performed a SJT with obstacles set at 80 cm height using a heart rate monitor (M430 with H10 sensor). Physical examination and blood samples, for complete blood count and sera biochemical analysis (total protein, albumin and muscle enzymes), were performed at four timepoints. Metabolic energy indexes - energy expenditure (EE), cost of transport (CoT) and metabolic power (Pmet) - were estimated based on heart rate and speed registered during the SJT. Results: Exercise affected the animals' heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, glycaemia, lactatemia, albuminemia, and the number of white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes and erythrocytes, and also haemoglobin and haematocrit values (P ≤ 0.05). Estimated energy expenditure was 431.0 ± 222.5 J/kg/min, CoT was 0.10 ± 0.05 beats·kg·m·103 and Pmet was 0.02 ± 0.01beats/min/kg. Conclusions: The SJT significantly influenced some of the studied biomarkers and the animals performed a submaximal effort and maintained an aerobic metabolism during exercise. This work offers some references for future assessment of novice showjumping horses, which can be used for future comparative analysis and for optimizing training programs.
Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2025-06-18 PubMed ID: 40553788DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105634Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates the impacts of a show jumping exercise on the physiological and energy metrics of a set of horses trained in Portugal. It offers valuable data for future analysis and optimization of training programs for beginner level show jumpers.
Objective
The primary goal of this research was to analyze the impacts of a beginner’s level show jumping test on the physiological markers and energy expenditure of a group of horses bred and trained in Portugal. The researchers wanted to fill in the lack of data regarding horses beneath the elite level of equestrian sport.
Methodology
- The researchers conducted a prospective cross-sectional study involving thirteen horses and their riders.
- The horses underwent a show jumping test (SJT) with obstacles fixed at 80cm height.
- They employed a heart rate monitor (M430 with H10 sensor) for observing and recording the horses’ heart rates and speed during the test.
- A pre- and post-test check-up of the horses was conducted, during which blood samples were collected; these samples were analyzed for a complete blood count and serum biochemical properties.
- Energy expenditure, cost of transport, and metabolic power were estimated based on the heart rate and speed measurements captured during the SJT.
Results
- The test demonstrated significant influences on the horses’ heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, glycaemia, lactatemia, albuminemia, and the count of white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, erythrocytes, as well as haemoglobin and haematocrit values.
- Estimated energy expenditure, cost of transport, and metabolic power values were recorded for their potential use in future analysis and comparative studies.
Conclusion
This research reveals that the SJT significantly affects certain biological markers. The exercise induced a suboptimal effort and maintained aerobic metabolism in the horses throughout the exercise. The study delivers a point of reference for future evaluations of novice show-jumping horses and is potentially useful for optimizing training strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
Simões J, Santos AM, Santos C, Silva AS, Vintém C, Fonseca J, Coelho C.
(2025).
Biological markers and metabolic energy indexes of show jumping horses during a field exercise test in Portugal.
J Equine Vet Sci, 151, 105634.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105634 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University-Lisbon University Centre, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal; I-MVET- Research in Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University- Lisbon University Centre, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal; Veterinary and Animal Research Center (CECAV), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal; Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), Portugal. Electronic address: joana.simoes@ulusofona.pt.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University-Lisbon University Centre, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University-Lisbon University Centre, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University-Lisbon University Centre, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University-Lisbon University Centre, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University-Lisbon University Centre, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal; I-MVET- Research in Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University- Lisbon University Centre, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal; Veterinary and Animal Research Center (CECAV), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal; Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Evora University, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University-Lisbon University Centre, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal; I-MVET- Research in Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University- Lisbon University Centre, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal; Veterinary and Animal Research Center (CECAV), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal; Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Evora University, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / physiology
- Horses / blood
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Energy Metabolism / physiology
- Biomarkers / blood
- Portugal
- Male
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Female
- Heart Rate
- Exercise Test / veterinary
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of competing interest None of the authors has any financial or personal relationships that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper.
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