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BMC veterinary research2025; 21(1); 631; doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-05090-3

Heart rate and heart rate variability responses during three exercise tests and recovery in horses participating in the Fédération Équestre Internationale Eventing World Challenge.

Abstract: Horses competing in eventing competitions encounter significant challenges that increase their risk of severe injuries and metabolic disorders. Numerous studies have focused on the risk of such injuries and disorders during the cross-country segment. While one study has examined autonomic responses during this segment, research on these responses across all three phases of competition, particularly during one-day events, is still limited. The objective of this study was to analyse the autonomic responses of horses by measuring heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) during three exercise tests and their recovery while competing in the Fédération Équestre Internationale Eventing World Challenge. HR and HRV were monitored in 10 horses during the competition; however, data were collected from only nine horses, as one was eliminated. Results: Beat-to-beat (RR) interval decreased from control (1742 ± 202.3 ms) during dressage (D), jumping (J) and cross-country (CC) tests, lasting 60 min after cross-country (60-CC) (D: 594.6 ± 40.2 ms, J: 420.6 ± 94.5 ms, CC: 358.0 ± 66.9 ms and 60-CC: 1424.2 ± 98.3 ms vs. control: 1742.0 ± 202.3 ms, p < 0.05-0.001). HR increased during the exercise tests, extending to 60-CC (D: 101.4 ± 7.0 beats/min, J: 148.2 ± 30.5 beats/min, CC: 172.0 ± 27.0 beats/min and 60-CC: 42.2 ± 3.0 beats/min vs. control: 34.8 ± 3.7 beats/min, p < 0.05-0.001). Various HRV metrics were lower during J than D, including standard deviation of normal-to-normal RR interval (D: 25.4 ± 9.1 ms vs. J: 9.8 ± 6.2 ms, p < 0.01), total power band (D: 512.4 ± 261 ms vs. J: 126.8 ± 180.4 ms, p < 0.05) and standard deviation 2 (D: 35.0 ± 12.5 ms vs. J: 13.4 ± 8.9 ms, p < 0.01). Changes in the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system indices corresponded with RR interval and HR modifications, respectively. Conclusions: The study found that autonomic responses were significantly pronounced during three exercise tests, with notably stronger reactions observed during the jumping and cross-country segments of the Eventing World Challenge. This preliminary study provides valuable insight into the autonomic regulation of horses during these phases of one-day eventing competitions.
© 2025. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2025-10-24 PubMed ID: 41137117PubMed Central: PMC12553158DOI: 10.1186/s12917-025-05090-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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Overview

  • This study investigated how heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV), which indicate autonomic nervous system activity, change in horses during the three phases of eventing competition and their recovery period.
  • The research provides insight into how horses’ autonomic nervous system responds in dressage, jumping, and cross-country tests within the Fédération Équestre Internationale Eventing World Challenge.

Research Context

  • Eventing is a demanding equestrian sport with three phases: dressage, jumping, and cross-country, each posing challenges and risks to horses, including injuries and metabolic stress.
  • Previous studies have primarily focused on injury risk during the cross-country segment while autonomic responses (heart rate and HRV) during all three phases, especially for one-day events, are less studied.

Study Objectives

  • To analyze autonomic responses by measuring heart rate and heart rate variability during the exercise tests and recovery.
  • To compare cardiovascular responses across the three exercise tests — dressage (D), jumping (J), and cross-country (CC) — and during the 60-minute recovery after the cross-country test (60-CC).

Methodology

  • Participants: 10 horses competing in the Eventing World Challenge; data collected from 9 horses (1 eliminated).
  • Measures:
    • Beat-to-beat (RR) interval: the time between heartbeats, inversely related to heart rate.
    • Heart rate (HR): beats per minute.
    • HRV metrics: including standard deviation of normal-to-normal RR intervals (SDNN), total power band, and standard deviation 2 (SD2), which reflect autonomic nervous system balance.
  • HR and HRV were recorded during the control (rest) period, each test phase, and recovery.

Key Findings

  • Beat-to-beat (RR) intervals:
    • Significantly decreased from control baseline (~1742 ms) during dressage, jumping, and cross-country tests, indicating increased heart rates.
    • Values during the tests were: Dressage (594.6 ms), Jumping (420.6 ms), Cross-country (358.0 ms), and partially recovered 60 minutes after cross-country (1424.2 ms).
  • Heart rate (HR):
    • Increased notably in each test compared to control (about 34.8 beats/min resting): Dressage (~101 beats/min), Jumping (~148 beats/min), Cross-country (~172 beats/min).
    • HR remained somewhat elevated during the 60-minute recovery phase post-cross-country (~42 beats/min vs 34.8 control).
  • Heart rate variability (HRV) metrics:
    • Jumping phase showed significantly lower HRV than dressage, indicating increased sympathetic (stress) activation and reduced parasympathetic (rest) tone.
    • Notable reductions in:
      • SDNN: 25.4 ms (D) vs. 9.8 ms (J)
      • Total power: 512.4 ms (D) vs. 126.8 ms (J)
      • SD2: 35.0 ms (D) vs. 13.4 ms (J)
  • Autonomic nervous system responses:
    • Parasympathetic activity (associated with rest and recovery) decreased during tests, consistent with reduced RR intervals.
    • Sympathetic activity (stress/fight-or-flight) increased, corresponding with elevated heart rates.

Conclusions

  • The autonomic nervous system response in horses is strongly influenced by the specific demands of each eventing phase.
  • The jumping and cross-country tests evoke more pronounced autonomic stress responses than dressage.
  • This study provides initial data on cardiovascular regulation during different eventing phases, which may help understand physiological stress and recovery in horses.
  • Findings could be useful for improving horse welfare, training methods, and risk assessments during demanding one-day eventing competitions.

Cite This Article

APA
Wonghanchao T, Sanigavatee K, Pongnarudech P, Suchairat T, Jitsopin S, Wanichayanon B, Rattanakarn D, Jantakanangkoon P, Jaraswutiwong T, Kalanuson N, Simasurapoj N, Srisujja W, Tippayaratsoontorn S, Kranpan P, Charoenchanikran P, Poochipakorn C, Chanda M. (2025). Heart rate and heart rate variability responses during three exercise tests and recovery in horses participating in the Fédération Équestre Internationale Eventing World Challenge. BMC Vet Res, 21(1), 631. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-05090-3

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 1
Pages: 631
PII: 631

Researcher Affiliations

Wonghanchao, Thita
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
  • Thailand Equestrian Federation, Sports Authority of Thailand, Bangkok, 10300, Thailand.
Sanigavatee, Kanokpan
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
  • Thailand Equestrian Federation, Sports Authority of Thailand, Bangkok, 10300, Thailand.
Pongnarudech, Piyamaporn
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
Suchairat, Temhuajai
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
Jitsopin, Supatchaya
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
Wanichayanon, Boonbaramee
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
Rattanakarn, Dalad
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
Jantakanangkoon, Pongkan
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
Jaraswutiwong, Tharaporn
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
Kalanuson, Nattanit
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
Simasurapoj, Napat
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
Srisujja, Wanwalee
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Maha Sarakham University, Talat Subdistrict, Mueang District, Maha Sarakham, 44000, Thailand.
Tippayaratsoontorn, Salinthip
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Maha Sarakham University, Talat Subdistrict, Mueang District, Maha Sarakham, 44000, Thailand.
Kranpan, Pannawat
  • Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Maha Sarakham University, Talat Subdistrict, Mueang District, Maha Sarakham, 44000, Thailand.
Charoenchanikran, Ponlakrit
  • Army Veterinary Hospital, Veterinary and Remount Department, the Royal Thai Army, Nakorn Pathom, 73000, Thailand.
Poochipakorn, Chanoknun
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand. chanoknun.p@ku.th.
  • Thailand Equestrian Federation, Sports Authority of Thailand, Bangkok, 10300, Thailand. chanoknun.p@ku.th.
Chanda, Metha
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand. fvetmtcd@ku.ac.th.
  • Thailand Equestrian Federation, Sports Authority of Thailand, Bangkok, 10300, Thailand. fvetmtcd@ku.ac.th.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / physiology
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
  • Exercise Test / veterinary
  • Male
  • Female
  • Autonomic Nervous System / physiology

Grant Funding

  • VET.KU2024-RPDF05 / Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The animal studies were approved by Kasetsart University’s Institute of Animal Care and Use Committee (ACKU65-VET-003). The studies were conducted in accordance with local legislation and institutional requirements. Informed consent was obtained from the owners to use the horses in the current study. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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