Heart rate response and plasma lactate concentrations of horses competing in the speed and endurance phase of 3-day combined training events.
Abstract: The exercise intensity of horses competing in 3-day combined training events at 3 different levels of competition (CCI, n = 7; CCI, n = 11; CCI, n = 23) was investigated. Environmental conditions during all events were cool with 100% cloud cover. Heart rates were continuously recorded at 5 s intervals by a heart rate monitor. Mean +/- s.d. heart rate for all horses during each phase were: Phase A = 118 +/- 11 beats/min, Phase B = 179 +/- 22.7 beats/min, Phase C = 129 +/- 13.9 beats/min and Phase D = 174 +/- 19.6 beats/min. Mean +/- s.d. heart rates on Phase A and C were significantly different from mean heart rates on Phases B and D. Plasma lactate concentrations were determined at rest, within 60 s and 10 min after the end of Phase D or the cross country test. Mean +/- s.d. lactate concentrations were highest immediately post exercise (mean = 18.4 +/- 5 mmol/l for all horses) and had declined significantly in 10 min (mean = 15 +/- 6.8 mmol/l for all horses). Mean +/- s.d. heart rates and lactate concentrations were not significantly different among levels of competition at each time period. The intensity of work of fit horses successfully competing in 3-day combined training events consists of both low intensity aerobic exercise and more intense submaximal work with significant anaerobiosis. The work intensity is remarkably constant throughout different levels of competition, despite the increasing distance, number and difficulty of jumping efforts and faster optimum speeds.
Publication Date: 1995-11-01 PubMed ID: 8933085DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb05008.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
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
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 examines the exercise intensity of horses participating in three-day combined training events across three competition levels. By monitoring the heart rate responses and plasma lactate concentrations in horses, the exercise intensity and condition at different competition stages are analyzed.
Methodology
- The exercise intensity was examined during three-day combined training events involving three distinct competition levels. The competitions included two same level competitions (CCI with 7 horses and another CCI with 11 horses) and a higher level competition (CCI with 23 horses).
- Environmental conditions were kept consistent with cool temperatures and 100% cloud cover.
- Heart rates were recorded every five seconds using a heart rate monitor.
- Plasma lactate concentrations were measured at rest, 60 seconds after, and 10 minutes after the end of Phase D or the cross-country test.
Observations
- Mean heart rates varied significantly across the separate phases. The lowest heart rates were observed during Phase A, and significantly high heart rates were recorded during Phase B and D.
- It was during Phase B and D, deemed as more strenuous parts of the training, that more intense submaximal work was witnessed in the horses. The low-intensity aerobic exercise recorded during Phases A and C alternated with this intense effort is noteworthy.
- The plasma lactate concentration increased post exercise, indicating a significant anaerobic response. However, there was a decline in lactate concentration after 10 minutes.
Conclusion
- Despite the increase in distance, difficulty of jumps, faster optimum speeds, and the number of efforts, the work intensity remained consistent across all competition levels and time frames.
- In addition to low-intensity aerobic exercise, successful completion of three-day combined training events requires horses to engage in more intense submaximal work. It’s this combination of aerobic and anaerobic work that forms the core of horse training and competition riding.
Cite This Article
APA
White SL, Williamson LH, Maykuth PL, Cole SP, Andrews FM.
(1995).
Heart rate response and plasma lactate concentrations of horses competing in the speed and endurance phase of 3-day combined training events.
Equine Vet J Suppl(20), 52-56.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb05008.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602-7385, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Heart Rate
- Horses / blood
- Horses / physiology
- Lactic Acid / blood
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Physical Endurance / physiology
- Weather
Citations
This article has been cited 3 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).
- Kirsch K, Fercher C, Horstmann S, von Reitzenstein C, Augustin J, Lagershausen H. Monitoring Performance in Show Jumping Horses: Validity of Non-specific and Discipline-specific Field Exercise Tests for a Practicable Assessment of Aerobic Performance. Front Physiol 2021;12:818381.
- Munsters CC, van den Broek J, Welling E, van Weeren R, van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM. A prospective study on a cohort of horses and ponies selected for participation in the European Eventing Championship: reasons for withdrawal and predictive value of fitness tests. BMC Vet Res 2013 Sep 13;9:182.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
