Changes in selected physiological and laboratory measurements in elite horses competing in a 160 km endurance ride.
Abstract: Limited information exists about the physiological changes and clinical problems that occur in elite horses competing in high-speed 160 km endurance races. Objective: To provide initial data describing changes in physiological and laboratory measurements in horses competing in a high-speed, 160 km endurance race under temperate conditions and to compare data between horses that successfully completed the race and those that failed to finish. Methods: Body mass (BM) was measured, blood samples were collected, and veterinary examinations performed on horses before, during, and at the finish of a CEI*** 160 km endurance race. Results: Of 36 horses participating in the study, 22 (61%) completed the race. Twelve horses were eliminated for lameness and 2 for persistent heart rate elevation. Mean speed of finishers was 15.2 km/h. Mean +/- s.d. BM loss of finishers at the end of the race (5.7 +/- 2.6%) was not different (P = 0.58) from BM loss of nonfinishers at elimination (6.7 +/- 34%). Similarly, there were no significant differences in heart rate or veterinary assessment of hydration at the race end for finishers as compared to the elimination point for nonfinishers. PCV increased while sodium, chloride and potassium concentrations decreased with exercise but differences between finishers and nonfinishers were not detected. In contrast, both total and ionised calcium concentrations decreased in successful horses but remained unchanged in nonfinishers. Conclusions: Elite endurance horses are more likely to be eliminated from competition for lameness than metabolic problems; however, it remains unclear whether these conditions are entirely distinct. The magnitude of the decrease in sodium concentration in both finishers and nonfinishers was greater than in previous reports of 160 km rides. Conclusions: These data should be of use for both organisers and participants in elite 160 km endurance races. The tendency toward hyponatraemia as well as the difference in calcium concentrations between finishers and nonfinishers warrant further study.
Publication Date: 2007-04-04 PubMed ID: 17402389DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05510.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research paper investigates the physiological changes and potential clinical concerns in elite horses participating in a 160 km endurance race. It finds that horses are more likely to be eliminated from competition for lameness than metabolic issues but cannot definitively determine if these issues are completely separate.
Objective and Methodology
- The primary objective of the research was to gather initial data on the physiological and laboratory changes in horses participating in a 160 km endurance race under temperate conditions. The study also aimed to differentiate between horses that were able to complete the race and those that couldn’t.
- The research involved measuring the body mass of the participants, collecting blood samples and conducting veterinary examinations before, during, and after the race. The race in question was a CEI*** 160 km endurance race.
Key Findings
- Of the 36 participating horses, 22 (approximately 61%) completed the race. The remaining were eliminated mostly due to lameness or persistent heart rate elevation.
- The average speed of the finishers was found to be 15.2 km/h. The average body mass loss of the horses at the end of the race was not significantly different between the finishers and eliminated participants.
- There were no significant differences observed in heart rate or hydration levels at the end of the race between the two groups.
- Regarding blood profile, there were increases in Hematocrit (PCV) as well as decreases in sodium, chloride, and potassium concentrations noted with exercise throughout the competition. However, again there were no discernable differences between finishers and non-finishers.
- In contrast, total and ionised calcium concentrations decreased in successful horses but remained unchanged in non-finishers.
Conclusions and Future Recommendations
- The research highlights that lameness, rather than metabolic issues, is a common reason for horse elimination in a 160 km endurance race.
- The decrease in sodium concentration was greater than that recorded in previous reports of such races.
- Data compiled could be valuable for those involved in organizing and participating in elite 160 km endurance races.
- According to the authors, further research is needed to explore the trend towards hyponatremia (low sodium levels in blood) observed in both finishers and non-finishers and to investigate the disparity in calcium concentrations between the two groups.
Cite This Article
APA
Schott HC, Marlin DJ, Geor RJ, Holbrook TC, Deaton CM, Vincent T, Dacre K, Schroter RC, Jose-Cunilleras E, Cornelisse CJ.
(2007).
Changes in selected physiological and laboratory measurements in elite horses competing in a 160 km endurance ride.
Equine Vet J Suppl(36), 37-42.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05510.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Body Weight / physiology
- Calcium / blood
- Chlorides / blood
- Heart Rate / physiology
- Horses / blood
- Horses / physiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Physical Endurance / physiology
- Potassium / blood
- Sodium / blood
- Time Factors
- Weight Loss / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Brito G, Damián JP, Suárez G, Ruprechter G, Trigo P. Characterization of Raid Hipico Uruguayo Competencies by Ride Type: Causes of Death and Risk Factors.. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 10;13(10).
- Marichal G, Trigo P, Soto C, Meikle A, Suárez G. Hydroelectrolytic and Acid-Base Parameters after 80 to 115 km Endurance Races (Raid Uruguayo) and Their Association with the Comfort Index.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 14;13(4).
- Bravo-Barriga D, Serrano-Aguilera FJ, Barrasa-Rita R, Habela MÁ, Chacón RB, Ezquerra LJ, Martín-Cuervo M. Effects of Competitive ELISA-Positive Results of Piroplasmosis on the Performance of Endurance Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 3;12(5).
- Bollinger L, Bartel A, Küper A, Weber C, Gehlen H. Age and Hydration of Competing Horses Influence the Outcome of Elite 160 km Endurance Rides.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:668650.
- Legg KA, Weston JF, Gee EK, Bolwell CF, Bridges JP, Rogers CW. Characteristics of Endurance Competitions and Risk Factors for Elimination in New Zealand during Six Seasons of Competition (2010/11-2015/16).. Animals (Basel) 2019 Aug 27;9(9).
- Younes M, Robert C, Cottin F, Barrey E. Speed and Cardiac Recovery Variables Predict the Probability of Elimination in Equine Endurance Events.. PLoS One 2015;10(8):e0137013.
- Valberg SJ, McKenzie EC, Eyrich LV, Shivers J, Barnes NE, Finno CJ. Suspected myofibrillar myopathy in Arabian horses with a history of exertional rhabdomyolysis.. Equine Vet J 2016 Sep;48(5):548-56.
- Ermon V, Yazwinski M, Milizio JG, Wakshlag JJ. Serum chemistry and electrolyte alterations in sled dogs before and after a 1600 km race: dietary sodium and hyponatraemia.. J Nutr Sci 2014;3:e26.
- Walker WT, Callan RJ, Hill AE, Tisher KB. Effects of oral powder electrolyte administration on packed cell volume, plasma chemistry parameters, and incidence of colic in horses participating in a 6-day 162-km trail ride.. Can Vet J 2014 Aug;55(8):765-71.
- Le Moyec L, Robert C, Triba MN, Billat VL, Mata X, Schibler L, Barrey E. Protein catabolism and high lipid metabolism associated with long-distance exercise are revealed by plasma NMR metabolomics in endurance horses.. PLoS One 2014;9(3):e90730.
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