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Impact of different cooling solutions on autonomic modulation in horses in a novice endurance ride.
Abstract: Cooling down is essential for horse recovery before veterinary inspection during an endurance ride. As salt potentially decreases water temperature, we tested whether adding salt to the water used to cool horses could aid their recovery. Twelve healthy Arabian horses participating in a novice endurance ride were divided evenly into two groups. Heart rate variability (HRV) variables, including time and frequency domains, non-linear results, and autonomic nervous system indices, were determined before recovery and at 1-min intervals for 9 min during recovery using either cold or cold-saline water. An interaction between water type and time was observed in the modulation of the SD of beat-to-beat (RR) intervals, square root of the mean squared differences between successive RR intervals (RMSSD), HRV triangular index, very low-frequency band (VLF), low-frequency band/high-frequency band ratio, and SD of the Poincaré plot perpendicular to the line of identity (SD1) non-linear results. A decrease in heart rate and the sympathetic nervous system index corresponding to an increase in RR intervals and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) index was observed over time. A rise in the triangular interpolation of the normal-to-normal intervals, number of successive RR interval pairs that differ more than 50 ms, low-frequency band, and total power, coinciding with decreased stress index, was detected at 9 min of recovery. A difference between RMSSD and SD1 was observed between groups, in which they were higher in horses cooling with cold-saline water when compared to cold water at 5 min after cooling began. An increase in VLF was seen at 9 min only in horses cooled with cold-saline water. In conclusion, different water types distinctly impacted HRV in horses. The predominant PNS activity in horses recovering with cold-saline water reflects its positive impact on cooling during an endurance ride.
Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2024-02-19 PubMed ID: 38471266DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101114Google 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
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.
This research explores the effects of different types of water cooling solutions on the nervous system responses of horses during a recovery phase in endurance riding. The results suggest that adding salt to cooling water can heighten the recovery response, particularly in regards to heart rate variation factors.
Study Design and Procedure
- The study involved twelve healthy Arabian horses that participated in a novice endurance ride.
- The horses were divided into two equal groups, with one group cooled using cold water and the other using cold-saline water.
- The researchers used Heart Rate Variability (HRV) to assess the autonomic nervous system (ANS) response during the recovery phase. HRV indicates the variation in time between each heartbeat, which is controlled by the autonomic nervous system.
- The HRV measurements were taken before recovery and at 1-minute intervals for 9 minutes during recovery.
Findings and Interpretation
- The study discovered an interaction between water type and time in the modulation of several HRV variables.
- Horses cooled with cold-saline water demonstrated an increase in the variation of time between each heartbeat (RMSSD and SD1) 5 minutes after cooling, and a rise in the very low-frequency band (VLF) 9 minutes after cooling, when compared to horses cooled with plain cold water.
- These data suggest that the use of salt in cool water may enhance the engagement of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) during horse recovery, a condition which is typically marked by lower heart rates and reduced stress responses.
Conclusion and Implications
- The study concludes that using different types of water (cold vs. cold-saline) for cooling horses after endurance riding has significant effects on their heart rate variability and hence, autonomic nervous system.
- The addition of salt to cooling water may offer a beneficial strategy to improve horse recovery post-ride, particularly in relation to heart rate stabilization, and potentially, minimized stress.
Cite This Article
APA
Wonghanchao T, Sanigavatee K, Poochipakorn C, Huangsaksri O, Yalong M, Poungpuk K, Thanaudom K, Lertsakkongkul P, Lappolpaibul K, Deethong N, Chanda M.
(2024).
Impact of different cooling solutions on autonomic modulation in horses in a novice endurance ride.
Animal, 18(4), 101114.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2024.101114 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Clinical Study Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kampeang Sean Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand; Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kampeang Sean Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
- Veterinary Clinical Study Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kampeang Sean Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand; Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kampeang Sean Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
- Veterinary Clinical Study Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kampeang Sean Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand; Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kampeang Sean Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
- Veterinary Clinical Study Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kampeang Sean Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand; Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kampeang Sean Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kampeang Sean Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kampeang Sean Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kampeang Sean Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kampeang Sean Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kampeang Sean Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
- Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kampeang Sean Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
- Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kampeang Sean Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand; Thailand Equestrian Federation, Sports Authority of Thailand, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. Electronic address: fvetmtcd@ku.ac.th.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Autonomic Nervous System / physiology
- Cold Temperature
- Heart Rate / physiology
- Syndactyly
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Jafari H, Abebe BK, Cong L, Ahmed Z, Zhaofei W, Sun M, Muhatai G, Chuzhao L, Dang R. Review: Genomic insights into the adaptive traits and stress resistance in modern horses. Stress Biol 2026 Jan 12;6(1):5.
- Janczarek I, Gazda I, Barłowska J, Kurnik J, Łuszczyński J. Social Isolation of Horses vs. Support Provided by a Human. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jun 3;15(11).
- Wonghanchao T, Sanigavatee K, Poochipakorn C, Huangsaksri O, Chanda M. Dynamic Adaptation of Heart Rate and Autonomic Regulation During Training and Recovery Periods in Response to a 12-Week Structured Exercise Programme in Untrained Adult and Geriatric Horses. Animals (Basel) 2025 Apr 13;15(8).
- Poochipakorn C, Wonghanchao T, Sanigavatee K, Chanda M. Stress Responses in Horses Housed in Different Stable Designs during Summer in a Tropical Savanna Climate. Animals (Basel) 2024 Aug 4;14(15).
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