FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
The Journal of veterinary medical science2022; 84(12); 1585-1594; doi: 10.1292/jvms.22-0378

Effects of different winter climates in Japan on body composition of young Thoroughbreds in training.

Abstract: Changes in the body composition of 50 Thoroughbreds colts and fillies, born between 2004 and 2010, were compared between those reared at the Hidaka Training and Research Center (Hidaka), Hokkaido, which is extremely cold in winter, and those reared at the Miyazaki Yearling Training Farm (Miyazaki), Kyushu, which is mildly cold in winter. The horses were divided into two sex groups and reared and trained in Hidaka or Miyazaki for 7 months from October of one year of age to April of two years of age. Body weight (BW), rump fat thickness (RFT), fat-free mass (FFM), and percentage of fat (%F) were used as parameters of body composition. This study revealed that BW and FFM were higher, and %F was lower in colts than in fillies at both training sites. Among colts, Miyazaki colts tended to have higher FFM values than Hidaka colts, and %F was significantly lower in Miyazaki colts than in Hidaka colts. Furthermore, from October to April, Miyazaki horses had a higher rate of increase in BW than Hidaka horses in both sexes and a higher rate of increase in FFM in colts. The higher rate of increase in FFM in Miyazaki colts suggests that training young Thoroughbreds in winter under mildly cold climate is more effective, than severely cold climate, particularly in colts.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2022-10-14 PubMed ID: 36244743PubMed Central: PMC9791233DOI: 10.1292/jvms.22-0378Google 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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 study examines how different winter climates in Japan affect the body composition of young Thoroughbred horses. The findings suggest that for these horses, especially the colts, training in milder winter climates leads to more effective growth.

Research Methodology

  • The body composition changes in 50 Thoroughbred horses, both colts and fillies, born between 2004 and 2010 were studied. These horses were raised in two different climate conditions, one in Hidaka, Hokkaido which is extremely cold during winters, and the other in Miyazaki, Kyushu which experiences milder winters.
  • The horses were divided into two sex groups and trained at either Hidaka or Miyazaki for a period of 7 months between October, when they were one year old, and April, when they turned two years old.
  • The researchers measured the horses’ body weight (BW), rump fat thickness (RFT), fat-free mass (FFM), and percentage of fat (%F) to track changes in body composition.

Findings

  • The results showed that the colts had higher BW and FFM, and lower %F than the fillies at both sites.
  • Comparing the colts at the different sites, those at Miyazaki tended to show higher FFM values than those in Hidaka, and Miyazaki colts also had a significantly lower %F than their Hidaka counterparts.
  • Both sex groups of horses in Miyazaki experienced a higher rate of increase in BW from October to April as compared to the horses in Hidaka. Also, the rate of increase in FFM in Miyazaki colts was higher than in Hidaka colts during the same period.

Implications

  • The findings suggest that training young Thoroughbreds under milder winter conditions, like those in Miyazaki, leads to a more effective increase in both body weight and fat-free mass, especially in colts.
  • These results could guide the choice of training locations for young Thoroughbred horses, favoring milder climates over severe winters to optimize body composition and potentially improve performance.

Cite This Article

APA
Ishimaru M, Matsui A, Seki K, Korosue K, Akiyama K, Mizukami H, Yoshida T, Taya K. (2022). Effects of different winter climates in Japan on body composition of young Thoroughbreds in training. J Vet Med Sci, 84(12), 1585-1594. https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.22-0378

Publication

The Journal of veterinary medical science
ISSN: 1347-7439
NlmUniqueID: 9105360
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 84
Issue: 12
Pages: 1585-1594

Researcher Affiliations

Ishimaru, Mutsuki
  • Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido, Japan.
  • Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido, Japan.
Matsui, Akira
  • Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido, Japan.
Seki, Kazuhiro
  • Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido, Japan.
Korosue, Kenji
  • Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido, Japan.
Akiyama, Kentaro
  • Equine Department, Japan Racing Association, Tokyo, Japan.
Mizukami, Hirotoshi
  • Miyazaki Yearling Training Farm, Japan Racing Association, Miyazaki, Japan.
Yoshida, Toshinobu
  • Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi, Japan.
Taya, Kazuyoshi
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Male
  • Japan
  • Seasons
  • Body Composition
  • Body Weight

References

This article includes 51 references
  1. Abe T, Kearns CF, Fukunaga T. Sex differences in whole body skeletal muscle mass measured by magnetic resonance imaging and its distribution in young Japanese adults.. Br J Sports Med 2003;37(5):436-40.
    doi: 10.1136/bjsm.37.5.436pmc: PMC1751351pubmed: 14514537google scholar: lookup
  2. Adams GR. Invited Review: Autocrine/paracrine IGF-I and skeletal muscle adaptation.. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2002 Sep;93(3):1159-67.
    doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01264.2001pubmed: 12183514google scholar: lookup
  3. Amthor H, Hoogaars WM. Interference with myostatin/ActRIIB signaling as a therapeutic strategy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.. Curr Gene Ther 2012 Jun;12(3):245-59.
    doi: 10.2174/156652312800840577pubmed: 22554312google scholar: lookup
  4. Arslanian S, Suprasongsin C. Testosterone treatment in adolescents with delayed puberty: changes in body composition, protein, fat, and glucose metabolism.. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1997 Oct;82(10):3213-20.
    pubmed: 9329341doi: 10.1210/jcem.82.10.4293google scholar: lookup
  5. Brodsky IG, Balagopal P, Nair KS. Effects of testosterone replacement on muscle mass and muscle protein synthesis in hypogonadal men--a clinical research center study.. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1996 Oct;81(10):3469-75.
    pubmed: 8855787doi: 10.1210/jcem.81.10.8855787google scholar: lookup
  6. Champion ZJ, Breier BH, Ewen WE, Tobin TT, Casey PJ. Blood plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in resting standardbred horses.. Vet J 2002 Jan;163(1):45-50.
    doi: 10.1053/tvjl.2001.0619pubmed: 11749135google scholar: lookup
  7. Derar R, Haramaki S, Hoque S, Hashizume T, Osawa T, Taya K, Watanabe G, Miyake Y. Immunoreactive Insulin-like growth factor in plasma during pre-and post-partum periods of thoroughbred mares pattern, physiological function and relation to other hormones.. J Equine Sci 17: 75–79.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.17.75google scholar: lookup
  8. Dhakal P, Tsunoda N, Nakai R, Kitaura T, Harada T, Ito M, Nagaoka K, Toishi Y, Taniyama H, Gen W, Taya K. Annual Changes in Day-length, Temperature, and Circulating Reproductive Hormones in Thoroughbred Stallions and Geldings.. J Equine Sci 2011;22(2):29-36.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.22.29pmc: PMC4013971pubmed: 24833985google scholar: lookup
  9. Dyson PK, Jackson BF, Pfeiffer DU, Price JS. Days lost from training by two- and three-year-old Thoroughbred horses: a survey of seven UK training yards.. Equine Vet J 2008 Nov;40(7):650-7.
    doi: 10.2746/042516408X363242pubmed: 19165934google scholar: lookup
  10. . Japanese Feeding Standard for Horses. pp. 71–73.
  11. Evans NA. Current concepts in anabolic-androgenic steroids.. Am J Sports Med 2004 Mar;32(2):534-42.
    doi: 10.1177/0363546503262202pubmed: 14977687google scholar: lookup
  12. Fonseca RG, Kenny DA, Hill EW, Katz LM. The relationship between body composition, training and race performance in a group of Thoroughbred flat racehorses.. Equine Vet J 2013 Sep;45(5):552-7.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12024pubmed: 23294231google scholar: lookup
  13. Gunn HM. Muscle bone and fat proportions and muscles distribution of Thoroughbreds and other horses. In: Equine exercise physiology: Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiolosy; August 7–11 1986, San Diego.
  14. Hintz HF, Hintz RL, Van Vleck LD. Growth rate of thoroughbreds, effect of age of dam, year and month of birth, and sex of foal.. J Anim Sci 1979 Mar;48(3):480-7.
    doi: 10.2527/jas1979.483480xpubmed: 575130google scholar: lookup
  15. . New Racing Encyclopedia. p. 235.
  16. Kane RA, Fisher M, Parrett D, Lawrence LM. Estimating fatness in horses. In: Proceedings of the 10th Equine Nutrition and Physiology Symposium. pp. 127–131.
  17. Kawabata K, Imi Y, Yoshioka Y, Shibata K, Terao J. Molecular mechanisms involved in skeletal muscle homeostasis. Konan Women’s University Researches 15: 65–71.
  18. Kearns CF, McKeever KH, Abe T. Overview of horse body composition and muscle architecture: implications for performance.. Vet J 2002 Nov;164(3):224-34.
    doi: 10.1053/tvjl.2001.0702pubmed: 12505395google scholar: lookup
  19. Kearns CF, McKeever KH, Kumagai K, Abe T. Fat-free mass is related to one-mile race performance in elite standardbred horses.. Vet J 2002 May;163(3):260-6.
    doi: 10.1053/tvjl.2001.0656pubmed: 12090768google scholar: lookup
  20. Kearns CF, McKeever KH, John-Alder H, Abe T, Brechue WF. Relationship between body composition, blood volume and maximal oxygen uptake.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2002 Sep;(34):485-90.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05470.xpubmed: 12405738google scholar: lookup
  21. Kunii H, Nambo Y, Okano A, Matsui A, Ishimaru M, Asai Y, Sato F, Fujii K, Nagaoka K, Watanabe G, Taya K. Effects of an extended photoperiod on gonadal function and condition of hair coats in Thoroughbred colts and fillies.. J Equine Sci 2015;26(2):57-66.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.26.57pmc: PMC4496423pubmed: 26170762google scholar: lookup
  22. Kyle UG, Genton L, Hans D, Karsegard L, Slosman DO, Pichard C. Age-related differences in fat-free mass, skeletal muscle, body cell mass and fat mass between 18 and 94 years.. Eur J Clin Nutr 2001 Aug;55(8):663-72.
    doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601198pubmed: 11477465google scholar: lookup
  23. Lee SJ. Regulation of muscle mass by myostatin.. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 2004;20:61-86.
    doi: 10.1146/annurev.cellbio.20.012103.135836pubmed: 15473835google scholar: lookup
  24. Lee SJ, McPherron AC. Regulation of myostatin activity and muscle growth.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2001 Jul 31;98(16):9306-11.
    doi: 10.1073/pnas.151270098pmc: PMC55416pubmed: 11459935google scholar: lookup
  25. Leleu C, Cotrel C. Body composition in young standardbreds in training: relationships to body condition score, physiological and locomotor variables during exercise.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2006 Aug;(36):98-101.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05521.xpubmed: 17402400google scholar: lookup
  26. Matsuda O, Gao F, Nihioka K, Kishida T. Regulation of Muscle Homeostasis and Metabolism by the TGF-β Superfamily Cytokine, Myostatin/growth Differentiation Factor 8 (GDF8). Journal of Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine 123: 133–141.
  27. Matsui A, Inoue Y, Asai Y, Yamanobe A. Effect of the Geographic Breeding Region on Digestible Energy Intake and Growth Rate of Thoroughbred Yearling Horses: A Comparison of the Hidaka and Miyazaki Regions of Japan. J Equine Sci 16: 19–26.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.16.19google scholar: lookup
  28. Matsui A, Ohmura H, Akiyama K, Korosue K, Ishimaru M, Yamanobe A. Gender-related changes in body composition associated with growth in Thoroughbred. In: Proceeding of the 12th AAAP, Animal Science Congress, Busan.
  29. McPherron AC, Lee SJ. Suppression of body fat accumulation in myostatin-deficient mice.. J Clin Invest 2002 Mar;109(5):595-601.
    doi: 10.1172/JCI0213562pmc: PMC150888pubmed: 11877467google scholar: lookup
  30. McPherron AC, Lawler AM, Lee SJ. Regulation of skeletal muscle mass in mice by a new TGF-beta superfamily member.. Nature 1997 May 1;387(6628):83-90.
    doi: 10.1038/387083a0pubmed: 9139826google scholar: lookup
  31. Mizukami H, Suzuki T, Nambo Y, Ishimaru M, Naito H, Korosue K, Akiyama K, Miyata K, Yamanobe A, Nagaoka K, Watanabe G, Taya K. Comparison of growth and endocrine changes in Thoroughbred colts and fillies reared under different climate conditions.. J Equine Sci 2015;26(2):49-56.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.26.49pmc: PMC4496422pubmed: 26170761google scholar: lookup
  32. Nagata S, Kurosawa M, Mima K, Nambo Y, Fujii Y, Watanabe G, Taya K. Effects of anabolic steroid (19-nortestosterone) on the secretion of testicular hormones in the stallion.. J Reprod Fertil 1999 Mar;115(2):373-9.
    doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.1150373pubmed: 10434944google scholar: lookup
  33. Nambo Y, Okano A, Kunii H, Harada T, Dhakal P, Matsui A, Korosue K, Yamanobe A, Nagata S, Watanabe G, Taya K. Effect of extended photoperiod on reproductive endocrinology and body composition in thoroughbred yearlings and weanlings. Anim Reprod Sci 121: 35–37.
    doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2010.04.185google scholar: lookup
  34. Onoda T, Yamamoto R, Sawamura K, Murase H, Nambo Y, Inoue Y, Matsui A, Miyake T, Hirai N. An approach of estimating individual growth curves for young thoroughbred horses based on their birthdays.. J Equine Sci 2014;25(2):29-35.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.25.29pmc: PMC4090356pubmed: 25013356google scholar: lookup
  35. Pagan JD, Brown-Douglas CG, Caddel S. Body weight and condition of Kentucky Thoroughbred mares and their foals as influenced by month of foaling, season, and gender. pp. 61–69.
  36. Reed SR, Jackson BF, Wood JL, Price JS, Verheyen KL. Exercise affects joint injury risk in young Thoroughbreds in training.. Vet J 2013 Jun;196(3):339-44.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.11.014pubmed: 23265863google scholar: lookup
  37. Rodriguez J, Vernus B, Chelh I, Cassar-Malek I, Gabillard JC, Hadj Sassi A, Seiliez I, Picard B, Bonnieu A. Myostatin and the skeletal muscle atrophy and hypertrophy signaling pathways.. Cell Mol Life Sci 2014 Nov;71(22):4361-71.
    doi: 10.1007/s00018-014-1689-xpubmed: 25080109google scholar: lookup
  38. Rogers CW, Bolwell CF, Gee EK, Rosanowski SM. Equine musculoskeletal development and performance: impact of the production system and early training. Anim Prod Sci 60: 2069–2079.
    doi: 10.1071/AN17685google scholar: lookup
  39. Sakuma K, Yamaguchi A. Molecular mechanism controlling skeletal muscle mass. pp. 143–170.
  40. Sengupta S, Peterson TR, Sabatini DM. Regulation of the mTOR complex 1 pathway by nutrients, growth factors, and stress.. Mol Cell 2010 Oct 22;40(2):310-22.
    doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2010.09.026pmc: PMC2993060pubmed: 20965424google scholar: lookup
  41. Shimobayashi M, Hall MN. Multiple amino acid sensing inputs to mTORC1.. Cell Res 2016 Jan;26(1):7-20.
    doi: 10.1038/cr.2015.146pmc: PMC4816134pubmed: 26658722google scholar: lookup
  42. Suzuki T, Mizukami H, Nambo Y, Ishimaru M, Miyata K, Akiyama K, Korosue K, Naito H, Nagaoka K, Watanabe G, Taya K. Different effects of an extended photoperiod treatment on growth, gonadal function, and condition of hair coats in Thoroughbred yearlings reared under different climate conditions.. J Equine Sci 2015;26(4):113-24.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.26.113pmc: PMC4739141pubmed: 26858576google scholar: lookup
  43. Tangyuenyong S, Sato F, Nambo Y, Murase H, Endo Y, Tanaka T, Nagaoka K, Watanabe G. Comparison of physical body growth and metabolic and reproductive endocrine functions between north and south climates of Japan in trained Thoroughbred yearling horses.. J Equine Sci 2017;28(3):77-86.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.28.77pmc: PMC5608960pubmed: 28955159google scholar: lookup
  44. Tanner JC, Rogers CW, Firth EC. The association of 2-year-old training milestones with career length and racing success in a sample of Thoroughbred horses in New Zealand.. Equine Vet J 2013 Jan;45(1):20-4.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00534.xpubmed: 22320408google scholar: lookup
  45. . Japan Association for International Racing and Stud Book, Bloodhorse statistics 2020. 56–57.
  46. Verheyen KL, Henley WE, Price JS, Wood JL. Training-related factors associated with dorsometacarpal disease in young Thoroughbred racehorses in the UK.. Equine Vet J 2005 Sep;37(5):442-8.
    doi: 10.2746/042516405774480085pubmed: 16163947google scholar: lookup
  47. Westervelt RG, Stouffer JR, Hintz HF, Schryver HF. Estimating fatness in horses and ponies. J Anim Sci 43: 781–785.
    doi: 10.2527/jas1976.434781xgoogle scholar: lookup
  48. White JP, Gao S, Puppa MJ, Sato S, Welle SL, Carson JA. Testosterone regulation of Akt/mTORC1/FoxO3a signaling in skeletal muscle.. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2013 Jan 30;365(2):174-86.
    doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2012.10.019pmc: PMC3529800pubmed: 23116773google scholar: lookup
  49. Yamamoto S, Asai Y, Kusunose R. Effects of sex, birth month, parity, weight of dam and farm on the growth of Thoroughbred foals and yearlings. Anim Sci J 64: 491–498.
  50. . The Racehorse Handbook. pp. 299–301.
  51. Yoon MJ, Berger T, Roser JF. Localization of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) in equine testes.. Reprod Domest Anim 2011 Apr;46(2):221-8.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01643.xpubmed: 20546172google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Iwata M, Kinugawa A, Hanazato M, Kondo K, Osaka K, Takeuchi K. Perceived indoor thermal environment and depressive symptoms among older adults in the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study. Sci Rep 2025 Aug 22;15(1):30871.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-15922-9pubmed: 40846888google scholar: lookup
  2. Ishimaru M, Kume K, Murase H, Sato F, Matsui A, Ohmura H, Taya K. Effect of birth month on endocrine function in Thoroughbred foals born in Hokkaido, the northern part of Japan. J Vet Med Sci 2025 Jul 7;87(7):804-815.
    doi: 10.1292/jvms.25-0061pubmed: 40414721google scholar: lookup
  3. Ishimaru M, Tsuchiya T, Endo Y, Matsui A, Ohmura H, Murase H, Korosue K, Sato F, Taya K. Effects of different winter paddock management of Thoroughbred weanlings and yearlings in the cold region of Japan on physiological function, endocrine function and growth. J Vet Med Sci 2024 Jul 2;86(7):756-768.
    doi: 10.1292/jvms.24-0083pubmed: 38777756google scholar: lookup
  4. Ishimaru M, Okano A, Matsui A, Murase H, Korosue K, Akiyama K, Taya K. Effects of an extended photoperiod on body composition of young Thoroughbreds in training. J Vet Med Sci 2024 Jan 10;86(1):58-65.
    doi: 10.1292/jvms.23-0349pubmed: 37967974google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,727 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.