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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Effect of a 14-Day Period of Heat Acclimation on Horses Usin...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2024; 14(4); doi: 10.3390/ani14040546

Effect of a 14-Day Period of Heat Acclimation on Horses Using Heated Indoor Arenas in Preparation for Tokyo Olympic Games.

Abstract: To optimise the performance and welfare of horses during equestrian competitions in hot climates, it is advised to acclimate them to the heat. The effects of training in a heated indoor arena were studied. Four Olympic horses (13.3 ± 2.2 years; three eventers, one para-dressage horse) were trained for 14 consecutive days in a heated indoor arena (32 ± 1 °C; 50-60% humidity) following their normal training schedule in preparation for the Tokyo Olympic games. Standardised exercise tests (SETs) were performed on Day 1 and Day 14, measuring heart rate (HR; bpm), plasma lactate concentration (LA; mmol/L), deep rectal temperature (Trec; °C), sweat loss (SL; L), and sweat composition (K+, Cl- and Na+ concentration). The data were analysed using linear mixed models. The Trec and HR were significantly decreased after acclimation (estimate: -0.106, 95% CI -0.134, -0.078; estimate: -4.067, 95% CI -7.535, -0.598, respectively). Furthermore, for all the horses, the time taken to reach their peak Trec and heat storage increased, while their LA concentrations decreased. The SL, Cl-, and Na+ concentrations decreased in three out of the four horses. Conclusions: Fourteen days of normal training in a heated indoor arena resulted in a reduction in cardiovascular and thermal strain. This is advantageous because it shows that elite sport horses can be acclimated while training as usual for a championship.
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Publication Date: 2024-02-06 PubMed ID: 38396514PubMed Central: PMC10886293DOI: 10.3390/ani14040546Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 explores the effects of daily training in a heated indoor arena for 14 consecutive days on the performance and welfare of four Olympic horses. The study shows that this heat acclimation method reduces cardiovascular and thermal strain in horses, which can be beneficial for their performance in hot climates, like the Tokyo Olympic games.

Research Methodology

  • The research involved four Olympic horses aged around 13.3 years. Among these, three were eventers and one was a para-dressage horse.
  • The horses were trained for 14 consecutive days in a heated indoor arena. The temperature and humidity in the arena were maintained at approximately 32°C and 50-60%, respectively.
  • This heat acclimation method was followed apart from their normal training schedule, which the horses were undergoing in preparation for the Tokyo Olympic games.
  • On the initial and final days of this heat acclimation period, the researchers performed Standardised Exercise Tests (SETs) on the horses. These tests measured several parameters, such as heart rate (HR), plasma lactate concentration (LA), deep rectal temperature (T), sweat loss (SL), and sweat composition (including potassium (K), chloride (Cl) and sodium (Na) concentrations).

Research Findings

  • The data collected from these tests were analysed using linear mixed models. The analysis demonstrated that the thermal strain (T) and heart rate (HR) of the horses were significantly decreased after the 14-day heat acclimation period.
  • The research also found that all the horses took more time to reach their maximum body temperature (T) and heat storage, which indicates improved thermal tolerance. Conversely, their lactate concentrations (LA)—an indicator of muscle fatigue—decreased.
  • The sweat loss (SL) and concentrations of chloride (Cl) and Sodium (Na) in the sweat decreased in three of the four horses. This could suggest improved hydration status and electrolyte balance.

Research Conclusion

  • The researchers concluded that training horses for two weeks in a heated indoor arena resulted in reducing both cardiovascular and thermal strain on the animals.
  • These results are beneficial as they imply that elite sport horses can be acclimated for competitions in hot climates while keeping up with their regular training regime.

Cite This Article

APA
Munsters C, Siegers E, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan M. (2024). Effect of a 14-Day Period of Heat Acclimation on Horses Using Heated Indoor Arenas in Preparation for Tokyo Olympic Games. Animals (Basel), 14(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14040546

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 4

Researcher Affiliations

Munsters, Carolien
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
  • Equine Integration B.V., Groenstraat 2c, 5528 Hoogeloon, The Netherlands.
Siegers, Esther
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan, Marianne
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Grant Funding

  • 1 / CSRD VA

Conflict of Interest Statement

Author Carolien Munsters is co-owner of the company Equine Integration B.V., The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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