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Home / Equine Research Bank / Am J Vet Res / Comparison of echocardiographic measurements in elite and no...
American journal of veterinary research2014; 75(10); 893-898; doi: 10.2460/ajvr.75.10.893

Comparison of echocardiographic measurements in elite and nonelite Arabian endurance horses.

Abstract: To determine whether echocardiographic variables differed between successful (elite) and less successful (nonelite) Arabian endurance horses. Methods: 34 Arabian horses that competed in endurance racing. Methods: Horses were assigned to either an elite or nonelite group on the basis of results of a previous competition, and a standardized echocardiographic examination was performed on each horse within 1 to 4 weeks after that competition. Multivariable logistic regression with backward stepwise elimination was used to create a prediction model for the determination of horse status (elite or nonelite) as a function of the measured echocardiographic variables. Results: The elite and nonelite groups consisted of 23 and 11 horses, respectively. One horse in the nonelite group had a frequent ventricular dysrhythmia that could have negatively affected its performance and rider's safety, whereas none of the horses in the elite group had remarkable cardiac abnormalities. The left ventricular internal diameter during systole and diastole and left ventricular mass and stroke volume were significantly greater for horses in the elite group, compared with those for horses in the nonelite group. The final logistic regression model correctly predicted the horse status for all of the horses in the elite group and 8 of 11 horses in the nonelite group. Conclusions: Results indicated that heart size was significantly associated with performance for Arabian endurance horses in a manner similar to findings for Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses in active competition.
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Publication Date: 2014-09-26 PubMed ID: 25255178DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.75.10.893Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 study is about comparing the echocardiographic measurements between elite and nonelite Arabian endurance horses, indicating that heart size significantly impacts their performance.

Research Methodology

  • The study involved 34 Arabian horses that compete in endurance racing.
  • These horses were divided into two groups – elite and nonelite, depending on their performance in a previous competition.
  • A standardized echocardiographic examination was carried out on each horse, ranging from 1 to 4 weeks after the competition to measure various aspects of their heart health and performance.
  • A multivariable logistic regression with backward stepwise elimination method was utilized to create a prediction model. It served to determine the category of horse (elite or nonelite) based on the measured echocardiographic variables.

Key Findings

  • In this group, the elite category comprised 23 horses, and the nonelite category included 11 horses.
  • One horse in the nonelite group exhibited a recurring ventricular dysrhythmia that potentially could have adversely affected its performance and the rider’s safety. Notably, no significant cardiac abnormalities were found in the elite group.
  • The echocardiographic examination demonstrated that the left ventricular internal diameter during systole and diastole, left ventricular mass, and stroke volume was significantly higher in the elite group compared to those for horses in the nonelite category.
  • The prediction model based on these observed echocardiographic variables correctly predicted the horse status for all the elite group horses and for 8 out of 11 horses in the nonelite group.

Conclusion

  • The results of the study illustrated a significant association between heart size and performance for Arabian endurance horses.
  • Furthermore, the study’s findings were similar to previous research outcomes for Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses actively participating in competitions.

Cite This Article

APA
Sleeper MM, Durando MM, Holbrook TC, Payton ME, Birks EK. (2014). Comparison of echocardiographic measurements in elite and nonelite Arabian endurance horses. Am J Vet Res, 75(10), 893-898. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.75.10.893

Publication

American journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 1943-5681
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 75
Issue: 10
Pages: 893-898

Researcher Affiliations

Sleeper, Meg M
  • Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Durando, Mary M
    Holbrook, Todd C
      Payton, Mark E
        Birks, Eric K

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Echocardiography / veterinary
          • Female
          • Heart / anatomy & histology
          • Heart / physiology
          • Heart Function Tests / veterinary
          • Horses / anatomy & histology
          • Horses / physiology
          • Male
          • Physical Conditioning, Animal
          • Physical Endurance / physiology

          Citations

          This article has been cited 6 times.
          1. Restan AZ, Camacho AA, Zacché E, Canola RAM, Silva SBG, Braz JB, Silva-Filho JCD, Cerqueira JA, Loureiro BA, Funnicelli MIG, Pinheiro DG, Ferraz GC. Conditioning Program Prescribed from the External Training Load Corresponding to the Lactate Threshold Improved Cardiac Function in Healthy Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2021 Dec 30;12(1).
            doi: 10.3390/ani12010073pubmed: 35011179google scholar: lookup
          2. Sacks M, Byrne DP, Herteman N, Secombe C, Adler A, Hosgood G, Raisis AL, Mosing M. Electrical impedance tomography to measure lung ventilation distribution in healthy horses and horses with left-sided cardiac volume overload. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Sep;35(5):2511-2523.
            doi: 10.1111/jvim.16227pubmed: 34347908google scholar: lookup
          3. Shave R, Howatson G, Dickson D, Young L. Exercise-Induced Cardiac Remodeling: Lessons from Humans, Horses, and Dogs. Vet Sci 2017 Feb 12;4(1).
            doi: 10.3390/vetsci4010009pubmed: 29056668google scholar: lookup
          4. Trachsel DS, Giraudet A, Maso D, Hervé G, Hauri DD, Barrey E, Robert C. Relationships between body dimensions, body weight, age, gender, breed and echocardiographic dimensions in young endurance horses. BMC Vet Res 2016 Oct 10;12(1):226.
            doi: 10.1186/s12917-016-0846-xpubmed: 27724944google scholar: lookup
          5. Wang T, Huang J, Ren W, Meng J, Yao X, Chu H, Yao R, Zhai M, Zeng Y. Cardiac-Metabolic Coupling Revealed by Lipid and Energy Metabolomics Determines 80 km Endurance Performance in Yili Horses. Biology (Basel) 2025 Nov 12;14(11).
            doi: 10.3390/biology14111581pubmed: 41300371google scholar: lookup
          6. Santos MM, Ramos GV, de Figueiredo IM, Silva TCBV, Lacerda-Neto JC. Cardiac Changes after Lactate-Guided Conditioning in Young Purebred Arabian Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 29;13(11).
            doi: 10.3390/ani13111800pubmed: 37889733google scholar: lookup
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