Comparative hematological and physiological responses to ground and pool training in Colombian Paso Horses.

Overview

• This study compared the physiological and blood-related (hematological) responses of Colombian Paso Horses undergoing two types of high-intensity training: ground-based and pool (aquatic) exercises.
• The research aimed to determine how these training methods affect heart rate, blood lactate, and blood components immediately after exercise to inform better conditioning practices.

Background and Purpose

• Exercise training influences various physiological and hematological parameters in horses, which are crucial for optimizing athletic performance.
• While such responses are well-studied in many horse breeds, limited data exist for Colombian Paso Horses (CPH), a specific breed with unique gait and performance characteristics.
• Different training modalities impact horses differently: conventional ground training improves gait and speed but can increase musculoskeletal stress, whereas aquatic (pool) training reduces load on joints but its physiological effects on CPH were unclear before this study.
• The study’s main goal was to compare immediate physiological responses—heart rate, blood lactate, hemogram (red and white blood cells, hemoglobin), and blood protein levels—between ground and aquatic training in CPH.

Methods

• Participants: 10 clinically healthy Colombian Paso Horses (6 females, 4 males) aged approximately 10 years and weighing around 350 kg.
• Study Design: Each horse underwent two high-intensity exercise protocols—one on ground and one in a pool—with a 30-day break between sessions to avoid carryover effects.
• Exercise sessions lasted 40 minutes, including warm-up, a phase with moderate-to-high intensity activity, and cool-down.
• Measurements:
  • Venous blood samples from the jugular vein were taken immediately before and after exercise to assess hematological parameters (e.g., erythrocytes, hemoglobin, lymphocytes, hematocrit) and blood lactate concentration.
  • Continuous heart rate monitoring was conducted during exercise using heart rate monitors.
• Data Analysis: Statistical tests (parametric or non-parametric depending on data distribution) were used to evaluate differences, with significance defined as p < 0.05.

Results

• Both ground and pool training evoked significant physiological changes after exercise.
• Ground Exercise:
  • Significant increases in erythrocytes (red blood cells), hematocrit (percentage of red blood cells in the blood), lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell), and blood globulins.
  • Blood lactate rose sharply from ~1.04 mmol/L before exercise to ~5.80 mmol/L after exercise, indicating anaerobic metabolism and high metabolic demand.
  • Heart rate increased significantly, peaking at approximately 203 beats per minute (bpm).
• Pool Exercise:
  • Significant increases in erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were observed.
  • Blood lactate increased moderately from ~1.29 mmol/L pre-exercise to ~2.46 mmol/L post-exercise, indicating lower anaerobic stress compared to ground exercise.
  • Heart rate rose significantly, reaching around 215 bpm, slightly higher than during ground exercise.
• Long-term Adaptations:
  • Both training protocols resulted in a decreased resting heart rate over time, demonstrating cardiovascular conditioning and greater efficiency.
• Overall, ground-based exercise induced more pronounced metabolic and hematological changes, reflecting higher physiological demand compared to aquatic exercise.

Conclusions and Implications

• High-intensity exercise, whether on the ground or in a pool, significantly affects Colombian Paso Horses’ hematological and physiological parameters.
• Ground training causes greater increases in blood lactate and changes in blood cell counts and proteins, signaling higher metabolic stress and bodily strain.
• Aquatic exercise provides a beneficial alternative conditioning approach by:
  • Inducing cardiovascular benefits (improved heart rate response and efficiency)
  • Causing less metabolic stress as shown by lower blood lactate levels
  • Reducing mechanical and musculoskeletal strain due to buoyancy and reduced weight-bearing
• The study highlights the potential for integrating aquatic training into horse conditioning programs to optimize performance while minimizing injury risk and aiding recovery in Colombian Paso Horses.
• These findings may encourage trainers and veterinarians to consider a balanced approach that includes ground and pool exercises tailored to the needs of this breed.