Estimation of metabolic energy cost and heat production during a 3-day-event.
Abstract: The metabolic power required for sustained exercise in the horse is proportional to running speed. Moderately fast speeds require substantial energy expenditure and result in the generation of a massive metabolic heat load. Quantitative estimates of energy expenditure and heat production of horses at various running speeds were developed using empirically derived data from treadmill studies. Total metabolic power represents the sum of aerobic power indicated by the rate of oxygen consumption and net anaerobic power indicated by the rate of plasma lactate accumulation. These data were applied to typical running speeds and distances for each of the 4 phases of the endurance day of an Olympic level (CCI) 3-day-event to provide an estimate of the energy expenditure and heat production during each phase. In a given horse, the rates of energy expenditure and heat production are determined by running speed, while total energy expenditure and heat production are determined by a combination of running speed and duration of exercise at that intensity. The highest calculated rate of energy expenditure and heat production occurred during Phase B, the steeplechase, followed closely by Phase D, the cross-country course. Interestingly, the highest total energy expenditure and heat production occurred on Phase C, Roads and Tracks, which is usually considered a period for cool down and recovery between the relatively high speed steeplechase and the demanding cross-country course. Nevertheless, because the rate of energy expenditure is low during this phase, the horses would be expected to lose heat and lower body temperature during this interval. In hot and humid climates, dissipation of the exercise-induced heat load may be compromised, leading to a narrower range of safety between the rate of heat production and the ability of the horse to dissipate this heat to the environment. The results of this study could be used, should environmental conditions dictate, to provide quantitative guidelines as to how specific alterations of speed or distance of the various phases of the event would affect heat production.
Publication Date: 1995-11-01 PubMed ID: 8933081DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb05004.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research examines the correlation between a horse’s running speed and the resulting metabolic power demands and heat production. The study’s findings are applied to the four phases of an Olympic level 3-day horse riding event, identifying instances of highest energy expenditure and heat output to help set guidelines for healthier performance in varying environmental conditions.
Investigation Methodology
- In this research, the scientists undertook a critical analysis of the genetic makeup of metabolic power requirements during a continuous exercise in horses. The metabolic power requirement was observed to be proportional to the riding speed of the horse.
- Data from previous treadmill studies were used to create quantitative estimates of energy expenditure and heat production at different running speeds.
Measures of Metabolic Power
- The total metabolic power of a horse during exercise was determined as the sum of aerobic power, corresponding with the rate of oxygen consumption, and anaerobic power, demonstrated by the accumulation rate of plasma lactate.
- These empirical findings were then applied to the typical running speeds and distances for each of the four stages of an Olympic level 3-day-event. This aimed to provide estimates of the energy expenditure and heat produced during each phase.
Correlation of Speed, Energy Expenditure and Heat Production
- In a horse, the rates of energy expenditure and heat output are influenced by its running speed. On the other hand, the total energy expenditure and heat output are determined by a combination of the running speed and the duration of exercise at that intensity.
- The highest rate of energy expenditure and heat output was found during Phase B (steeplechase) and Phase D (cross-country course). However, the highest total energy expenditure and heat output was determined during Phase C, Roads and Tracks. Despite being a cool down and recovery phase, the energy released during Phase C was significant due to its longer duration.
Impact of Environmental Conditions
- In hot and humid climates, the dissipation of heat generated during exercise may be compromised, introducing a thinner margin of safety between heat production and the horse’s ability to dissipate this heat into the environment.
- The insights from this study can contribute to setting quantitative guidelines about adjusting the speed or distance in varying phases of the 3-day-event, depending on environmental conditions, to help control heat production.
Cite This Article
APA
Jones JH, Carlson GP.
(1995).
Estimation of metabolic energy cost and heat production during a 3-day-event.
Equine Vet J Suppl(20), 23-30.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb05004.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Body Temperature Regulation
- Energy Metabolism
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Horses / physiology
- Lactates / blood
- Oxygen Consumption
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Running / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Liedtke AM, Meijer H, Horstmann S, von Reitzenstein C, Rump I, Kirsch K. Modelling Energy Demands of Cross-Country Tests in 2-Star to 5-Star Eventing Competitions. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jun 17;15(12).
- Takahashi Y, Takahashi T, Mukai K, Ebisuda Y, Ohmura H. Changes in muscle activation with graded surfaces during canter in Thoroughbred horses on a treadmill. PLoS One 2024;19(6):e0305622.
- Trigg LE, Lyons S, Mullan S. Risk factors for, and prediction of, exertional heat illness in Thoroughbred racehorses at British racecourses. Sci Rep 2023 Mar 14;13(1):3063.
- Verdegaal EJMM, Howarth GS, McWhorter TJ, Delesalle CJG. Is Continuous Monitoring of Skin Surface Temperature a Reliable Proxy to Assess the Thermoregulatory Response in Endurance Horses During Field Exercise?. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:894146.
- Verdegaal EJMM, Howarth GS, McWhorter TJ, Boshuizen B, Franklin SH, Vidal Moreno de Vega C, Jonas SE, Folwell LE, Delesalle CJG. Continuous Monitoring of the Thermoregulatory Response in Endurance Horses and Trotter Horses During Field Exercise: Baselining for Future Hot Weather Studies. Front Physiol 2021;12:708737.
- Kang H, Zsoldos RR, Woldeyohannes SM, Gaughan JB, Sole Guitart A. The Use of Percutaneous Thermal Sensing Microchips for Body Temperature Measurements in Horses Prior to, during and after Treadmill Exercise. Animals (Basel) 2020 Dec 2;10(12).
- Birks EK, Ohmura H, Jones JH. Measuring V̇O(2) in hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions using dynamic gas mixing with a flow-through indirect calorimeter. J Equine Sci 2019;30(4):87-92.
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