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Further studies on the metabolic effects of long distance riding: Golden Horseshoe Ride 1979.
Abstract: Blood samples were taken before and immediately after 80 km and 40 km rides held on consecutive days and analysed for haematocrit, blood glucose and lactate, plasma sodium, potassium, calcium, albumin, free fatty acids (FFA), glycerol, bicarbonate, insulin, cortisol, glucagon, urea, creatinine, uric acid, bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase. Unusually hot weather probably contributed to haemoconcentration with a significant (P < 0.001) increase in haematocrit and plasma albumin. A fall in blood glucose, with a rise in FFA and glycerol were consistent with long distance riding and were associated with a reduction in plasma insulin and a rise in cortisol and glucagon. The results suggested that the horses were working aerobically and the small increase in blood lactate was likely to be a result of reduced tissue perfusion. Plasma urea, creatinine and bilirubin increased during the 80 km ride and were still high the next morning. Blood samples were taken from 2 horses that became exhausted and were forced to retire and the results from these animals indicate the slow rate of recovery. It is suggested that haemoconcentration with reduced tissue perfusion might contribute to exhaustion during long distance exercise and that the speed of recovery might be improved by the intravenous administration of balanced electrolyte solutions.
Publication Date: 1980-10-01 PubMed ID: 7439143DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1980.tb03424.xGoogle 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.
- Journal Article
Summary
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The study delves into the metabolic changes in horses participating in a long-distance ride, focusing notably on changes in bio-markers analyzed in the blood before and after both 80km and 40km rides. The results suggest that endurance exertion leads to biochemical changes in horses and the speed of recovery could be boosted using balanced electrolyte solutions.
Study Overview
- The research scrutinizes the metabolic effects of long-distance riding on horses, specifically using the Golden Horseshoe Ride 1979 as a study case.
- Blood samples were gathered from the horses before and immediately following the rides of 80 km and 40 km on consecutive days.
- The samples were analyzed with a focus on a wide range of blood parameters like haematocrit, blood glucose and lactate, plasma sodium, potassium, calcium, albumin, free fatty acids (FFA), glycerol, bicarbonate, insulin, cortisol, glucagon, urea, creatinine, uric acid, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase.
Key Findings
- The unusually hot weather during the study led to haemoconcentration in the horses, indicated by a significant increase in haematocrit and plasma albumin.
- Metabolic changes consistent with long-distance riding included a decrease in blood glucose, an increase in FFA and glycerol, a drop in plasma insulin, and a rise in cortisol and glucagon.
- These changes suggest that the horses were operating under aerobic conditions and the minor increase in blood lactate was likely due to diminished tissue perfusion.
- Subsequent to the 80 km ride, the levels of plasma urea, creatinine, and bilirubin rose and remained high the following morning.
- Blood samples were obtained from two horses that were exhausted and forced to retire from the ride, which showed a languid rate of recovery.
Conclusions
- It is suggested that haemoconcentration due to reduced tissue perfusion could be a contributing factor to exhaustion during long-distance exercise in horses.
- The study also concludes that the rate of recovery after such strenuous efforts may possibly be enhanced via the intravenous administration of balanced electrolyte solutions.
Cite This Article
APA
Lucke JN, Hall GN.
(1980).
Further studies on the metabolic effects of long distance riding: Golden Horseshoe Ride 1979.
Equine Vet J, 12(4), 189-192.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1980.tb03424.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / blood
- Horses / metabolism
- Physical Exertion
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Wang M, Liu Y, Bi X, Ma H, Zeng G, Guo J, Guo M, Ling Y, Zhao C. Genome-Wide Detection of Copy Number Variants in Chinese Indigenous Horse Breeds and Verification of CNV-Overlapped Genes Related to Heat Adaptation of the Jinjiang Horse. Genes (Basel) 2022 Mar 28;13(4).
- Ferlazzo A, Cravana C, Fazio E, Medica P. The different hormonal system during exercise stress coping in horses. Vet World 2020 May;13(5):847-859.
- Larsson J, Pilborg PH, Johansen M, Christophersen MT, Holte A, Roepstorff L, Olsen LH, Harrison AP. Physiological parameters of endurance horses pre- compared to post-race, correlated with performance: a two race study from scandinavia. ISRN Vet Sci 2013;2013:684353.
- Maier I, Kienzle E. A Meta-Analysis on Quantitative Sodium, Potassium and Chloride Metabolism in Horses and Ponies. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 13;15(2).
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