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).
Publication Date: 2025-10-24 PubMed ID: 41137117PubMed Central: PMC12553158DOI: 10.1186/s12917-025-05090-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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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
Researcher Affiliations
- 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.
- 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.
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kamphaeng Saen, 73140, Thailand.
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Maha Sarakham University, Talat Subdistrict, Mueang District, Maha Sarakham, 44000, Thailand.
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Maha Sarakham University, Talat Subdistrict, Mueang District, Maha Sarakham, 44000, Thailand.
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Maha Sarakham University, Talat Subdistrict, Mueang District, Maha Sarakham, 44000, Thailand.
- Army Veterinary Hospital, Veterinary and Remount Department, the Royal Thai Army, Nakorn Pathom, 73000, Thailand.
- 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.
- 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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