FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Hydroelectrolytic and Acid-Base Parameters after 80 to 115 k...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2023; 13(4); 670; doi: 10.3390/ani13040670

Hydroelectrolytic and Acid-Base Parameters after 80 to 115 km Endurance Races (Raid Uruguayo) and Their Association with the Comfort Index.

Abstract: The Raid Uruguayo (RAID) is an equestrian endurance competition. This study characterized the hydroelectrolytic parameters (Na, K, Cl, tCa, and iCa), hematocrit (Ht), total plasma protein (TPP), and blood pH from 900 equine athletes (finishers and non-finishers) competing over distances of 80 to 115 km under different climate conditions. Paired blood samples were taken prior to the start of the competition (sample 1) and at the end of the race or at the time of leaving the competition (sample 2). The association of the comfort index (CI: low, moderate, and high) with blood parameters was evaluated. Of the 900 horses included, 550 were not able to finish the trial. The comfort index was not associated with success in completing the race. In the horses that finished the race, the CI was not associated with Ht, pH, TPP, or Na concentrations in samples taken after finishing the RAID. In contrast, the decreases in chloride, K, tCa, and iCa concentrations found after the race were more pronounced at moderate and high CI values when compared with low CI values. In horses that did not finish the race, the CI was associated with all variables except for Ht. The data confirmed the relevance of considering the impact of the comfort index in hydroelectrolytic losses in the RAID, as it influence ssuccess or failure in the performance of endurance horses finishing the competition.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2023-02-14 PubMed ID: 36830457PubMed Central: PMC9951660DOI: 10.3390/ani13040670Google 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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 studied blood and electrolyte parameters in horses competing in an endurance race named Raid Uruguayo (RAID). It aimed to understand if a measure of physical comfort during the race, referred to as the ‘comfort index,’ could predict successful race completion. The result indicated that the comfort index showed some linkage with electrolyte levels in the horses, but did not predict race completion.

Study Outline

  • In this study, the researchers examined the hydroelectrolytic parameters—a term referring to the levels of electrolytes sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), total calcium (tCa), and ionized calcium (iCa)—in 900 equine athletes participating in the RAID, an endurance race spanning 80 to 115 km.
  • Hematocrit (Ht) levels, total plasma protein (TPP), and blood pH were also measured from these horses. Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood, and total plasma protein relates to the total protein content in the plasma, both of which can reflect the hydration and nutritional status of the horses.
  • The researchers took paired blood samples—first before the race started, and then at the endpoint of the race or the moment of dropout if a horse didn’t finish.
  • A ‘comfort index’ (CI), a metric indicating the ease or difficulty experienced by the horses during the race under various climate conditions, was evaluated. This CI was categorized into low, moderate, and high.

Key Findings

  • Out of the total of 900 horses, 550 didn’t manage to finish the race. However, the study found no association between the comfort index and the horses’ ability to complete the race, illustrating that race completion cannot be predicted by the comfort index alone.
  • For horses that did complete the race, their comfort index was independent of changes in hematocrit, blood pH, total plasma protein, or sodium levels measured after the race but it was associated with decreases in chloride, potassium, and both forms of calcium levels.
  • In contrast, for horses that did not finish the race, the comfort index was linked with all variables except for hematocrit levels.

Conclusion

  • The study emphasized the significance of considering the comfort index when studying the regulation of electrolyte balance in horses during endurance races such as RAID. Even though the comfort index could not predict race completion, it showed an association with certain electrolyte levels which play a crucial role in athletic performance and overall horse’s health. Therefore, understanding this association could assist in enhancing performance and welfare in endurance horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Marichal G, Trigo P, Soto C, Meikle A, Suárez G. (2023). Hydroelectrolytic and Acid-Base Parameters after 80 to 115 km Endurance Races (Raid Uruguayo) and Their Association with the Comfort Index. Animals (Basel), 13(4), 670. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040670

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 4
PII: 670

Researcher Affiliations

Marichal, Gonzalo
  • Unidad de Clínica y Cirugía de Equinos, Departamento Hospital y Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay.
Trigo, Pablo
  • IGEVET CONICET CC La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de la Plata, La Plata 1900, Argentina.
Soto, Carlos
  • Departamento Hospital y Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay.
Meikle, Ana
  • Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Metabolismo Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay.
Suárez, Gonzalo
  • Unidad de Farmacología y Terapéutica, Departamento Hospital y Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 34 references
  1. Fielding CL, Magdesian KG, Rhodes DM, Meier CA, Higgins JC. Clinical and biochemical abnormalities in endurance horses eliminated from competition for medical complications and requiring emergency medical treatment: 30 cases (2005-2006).. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio) 2009 Oct;19(5):473-8.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1476-4431.2009.00441.xpubmed: 19821889google scholar: lookup
  2. Nagy A, Murray JK, Dyson SJ. Descriptive epidemiology and risk factors for eliminations from Fédération Equestre Internationale endurance rides due to lameness and metabolic reasons (2008-2011).. Equine Vet J 2014 Jan;46(1):38-44.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12069pubmed: 23574513google scholar: lookup
  3. Foreman JH. The exhausted horse syndrome.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 1998 Apr;14(1):205-19.
    doi: 10.1016/S0749-0739(17)30220-1pubmed: 9561696google scholar: lookup
  4. Marlin DJ, Scott CM, Schroter RC, Mills PC, Harris RC, Harris PA, Orme CE, Roberts CA, Marr CM, Dyson SJ, Barrelet F. Physiological responses in nonheat acclimated horses performing treadmill exercise in cool (20 degrees C/40% RH), hot dry (30 degrees C/40% RH) and hot humid (30 degrees C/80% RH) conditions.. Equine Vet J Suppl 1996 Jul;(22):70-84.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb05034.xpubmed: 8894553google scholar: lookup
  5. Lindinger M.I.. Sweating, dehydration and electrolyte supplementation: Challenges for the performance horse. Proceedings of the 4th European Equine Health & Nutrition Congress; Wageningen, The Netherlands. 18 April 2008.
  6. Flaminio MJ, Rush BR. Fluid and electrolyte balance in endurance horses.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 1998 Apr;14(1):147-58.
    doi: 10.1016/S0749-0739(17)30217-1pubmed: 9561693google scholar: lookup
  7. Poškienė I., Juozaitienė V., Gruodytė R., Antanaitis R.. The effect of 60 km endurance exercise on serum electrolytes and acid–base balance in the Žemaitukai horses. Acta Veter. Brno 2020;89:125–131.
    doi: 10.2754/avb202089020125google scholar: lookup
  8. Di Battista C, Conte M, Pepe M, Petrizzi L, Beccati F. Epidemiology and risk factors for eliminations from Fédération Equestre Internationale endurance rides between 2004-2015 in Italy.. Prev Vet Med 2019 Oct 1;170:104737.
    doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2019.104737pubmed: 31421491google scholar: lookup
  9. Jones S.. Horseback Riding in the Dog Days. Anim. Sci. e-News 2009 2:3–4.
  10. R Core Team. R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing; Vienna, Austria: 2021.
  11. Nagy A, Murray JK, Dyson S. Elimination from elite endurance rides in nine countries: a preliminary study.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2010 Nov;(38):637-43.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00220.xpubmed: 21059073google scholar: lookup
  12. Younes M, Robert C, Cottin F, Barrey E. Speed and Cardiac Recovery Variables Predict the Probability of Elimination in Equine Endurance Events.. PLoS One 2015;10(8):e0137013.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137013pmc: PMC4556447pubmed: 26322506google scholar: lookup
  13. Bennet ED, Parkin TDH. Fédération Equestre Internationale endurance events: Risk factors for failure to qualify outcomes at the level of the horse, ride and rider (2010-2015).. Vet J 2018 Jun;236:44-48.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.04.011pubmed: 29871749google scholar: lookup
  14. Beccati F., Conte M.. Cause di eliminazione in gare di endurance riservate ai giovani cavalli in Italia nel periodo 2004–2013 studio epidemiologico. Proceedings of the XXI National Congress of Italian Society of Equine Practitioners (SIVE); Rome, Italy. 15–18 October 2015.
  15. Muñoz-Alonzo L., Silva A.B., Leal J.C., Luengo M.B.. Motivos de eliminación en competencias de enduro internacional, categoría jinete adulto, en Chile (2007–2014). Rev. Investig. Vet. Perú 2016;27:259.
    doi: 10.15381/rivep.v27i2.11654google scholar: lookup
  16. Page AE, Stewart JC, Fielding CL, Horohov DW. The Effect of a 160-Kilometer Competitive Endurance Ride on Inflammatory Marker mRNA Expression in Horses.. J Equine Vet Sci 2019 Aug;79:45-49.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.05.017pubmed: 31405499google scholar: lookup
  17. Djoković S., Marković L., Djermanović V., Trailović R.. Indicators of exhaustion and stress markers in endurance horses. Med. Weter. 2021;77:331–336.
    doi: 10.21521/mw.6545google scholar: lookup
  18. Bollinger L, Bartel A, Küper A, Weber C, Gehlen H. Age and Hydration of Competing Horses Influence the Outcome of Elite 160 km Endurance Rides.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:668650.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.668650pmc: PMC8160124pubmed: 34055954google scholar: lookup
  19. Andrews F.M., Ralston S.L., Williamson L.H., Maykuth P.L., White S.L., Provenza M.. Weight loss, water loss and cation balance during the endurance test of a 3-day event. Equine Veter. J. 1995;27:294–297.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb04940.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  20. Bernardi N.S., Gomide L.M.W., Antunes A.D., Gravena K., Dias D.P.M., Queiroz D.J., Canello V.A., Silva A.M.G.B., Brandi R.A., Lacerda-Neto J.C.. Equilíbrio ácido-base e hidroeletrolítico em equinos submetidos à simulação de enduro FEI*. Arq. Bras. Med. Vet. Zootec. 2018;70:359–367.
    doi: 10.1590/1678-4162-9396google scholar: lookup
  21. Rose RJ, Arnold KS, Church S, Paris R. Plasma and sweat electrolyte concentrations in the horse during long distance exercise.. Equine Vet J 1980 Jan;12(1):19-22.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1980.tb02290.xpubmed: 7363879google scholar: lookup
  22. Poole DC, Copp SW, Colburn TD, Craig JC, Allen DL, Sturek M, O'Leary DS, Zucker IH, Musch TI. Guidelines for animal exercise and training protocols for cardiovascular studies.. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2020 May 1;318(5):H1100-H1138.
    doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00697.2019pmc: PMC7254566pubmed: 32196357google scholar: lookup
  23. Freeman DE, Mooney A, Giguère S, Claire J, Evetts C, Diskant P. Effect of feed deprivation on daily water consumption in healthy horses.. Equine Vet J 2021 Jan;53(1):117-124.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13259pubmed: 32150657google scholar: lookup
  24. Ecker G.L., Lindlnger M.I.. Effects of terrain, speed, temperature and distance on water and ion losses. Equine Vet. J. 1995;18:298–305.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb04941.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  25. Barton MH, Williamson L, Jacks S, Norton N. Body weight, hematologic findings, and serum and plasma biochemical findings of horses competing in a 48-, 83-, or 159-km endurance ride under similar terrain and weather conditions.. Am J Vet Res 2003 Jun;64(6):746-53.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2003.64.746pubmed: 12828261google scholar: lookup
  26. Muñoz A, Cuesta I, Riber C, Gata J, Trigo P, Castejón FM. Trot asymmetry in relation to physical performance and metabolism in equine endurance rides.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2006 Aug;(36):50-4.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05512.xpubmed: 17402391google scholar: lookup
  27. Schott HC 2nd, Marlin DJ, Geor RJ, Holbrook TC, Deaton CM, Vincent T, Dacre K, Schroter RC, Jose-Cunilleras E, Cornelisse CJ. Changes in selected physiological and laboratory measurements in elite horses competing in a 160 km endurance ride.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2006 Aug;(36):37-42.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05510.xpubmed: 17402389google scholar: lookup
  28. Robert C, Goachet AG, Fraipont A, Votion DM, Van Erck E, Leclerc JL. Hydration and electrolyte balance in horses during an endurance season.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2010 Nov;(38):98-104.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00198.xpubmed: 21058989google scholar: lookup
  29. Radostitis O.M., Gay C.C., Hinchcliff K.W., Constable P.D.. Appendix 2: Reference Laboratory Values. InVeterinary Medicine—A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Pigs and Horses. 10th ed. Elsevier Saunders; Amsterdam, The Netherlands: 2006. pp. 2047–2048.
  30. Corley K., Stephen J.. Appendix: Haematology, Biochemistry and electrolytes. In: The Equine Hospital Manual. John Wiley & Sons; Hoboken, NJ, USA: 2008. pp. 654–689.
  31. Southwood L.L.. Appendix C: Normal ranges for hematology and plasma chemistry and conversion table for units. In: Practical Guide to Equine Colic. John Wiley & Sons; Hoboken, NJ, USA: 2013. pp. 339–340.
  32. Smith B.P.. Index. In: Large Animal Internal Medicine. 5th ed. Mosby Elsevier; Amsterdam, The Netherlands: 2015. p. BM6-7.
  33. Armstrong RB, Warren GL, Warren JA. Mechanisms of exercise-induced muscle fibre injury.. Sports Med 1991 Sep;12(3):184-207.
    doi: 10.2165/00007256-199112030-00004pubmed: 1784873google scholar: lookup
  34. McCutcheon LJ, Geor RJ. Sweat fluid and ion losses in horses during training and competition in cool vs. hot ambient conditions: implications for ion supplementation.. Equine Vet J Suppl 1996 Jul;(22):54-62.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb05032.xpubmed: 8894551google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Brito G, Damián JP, Suárez G, Ruprechter G, Trigo P. Characterization of Raid Hipico Uruguayo Competencies by Ride Type: Causes of Death and Risk Factors.. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 10;13(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13101602pubmed: 37238032google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.