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Increased body fat content in horses alters metabolic and physiological exercise response, decreases performance, and increases locomotion asymmetry.
Abstract: This study examined the effect of altered body weight (BW) and body fat content on exercise performance and recovery. Nine horses were divided into two groups, and changes in BW and fat content were induced by feeding a high (HA) or restricted (RA) energy allowance for 36 days in a cross-over design. In the last week of each treatment, BW and body condition score (BCS) were recorded, body fat percentage was estimated using ultrasound, and a standardized incremental treadmill exercise test (SET) and competition-like field test were performed (scored by judges blinded to treatments). Blood samples were collected, and heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (RT), and respiratory rate (RR) were also recorded. Objective locomotion analyses were performed before and after the field test. Body weight, body fat percentage, and BCS were higher (5-8%) in HA than in RA horses (p < 0.05). In SET, HA horses showed higher HR, plasma lactate concentration, RR, and RT than RA horses (p < 0.05), and lower V , hematocrit (Hct), plasma glucose, and plasma NEFA concentrations (p < 0.05). Hct was also lower in HA horses in the field test, while RA horses showed higher scores (p < 0.05). After both tests, resting plasma lactate concentrations were reached faster in RA than in HA horses (p < 0.05). Objective locomotion asymmetry was higher in HA than in RA (p < 0.05). These results clearly show that increased BW and body fat content in horses lower physiological fitness in terms of V , plasma lactate removal, Hct levels, plasma glucose availability and reduce true performance evaluated by blinded judges.
© 2021 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Physiological Society and the American Physiological Society.
Publication Date: 2021-06-11 PubMed ID: 34110691PubMed Central: PMC8191395DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14824Google 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
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The research investigates the effects of varying body weight and body fat content on horse performance and recovery. It demonstrates that higher body weight and fat content degrade physiological response during exercise and impair recovery.
Study Design and Methodology
- The study used a controlled experiment involving nine horses. The horses were split into two groups and given different diets to induce changes in body weight and fat content with a high energy allowance (HA) and a restricted allowance (RA).
- Over a period of 36 days, the horses underwent a series of tests and measurements. Their body weight, body condition score, and body fat percentage were recorded in the last week of each diet. The body fat percentage was estimated using ultrasound technology.
- Exercise mechanics were evaluated using a standardized incremental treadmill exercise test (SET) and a field task similar to an actual competition scenario. Judges, unaware of which horses were in each group, assessed the horses’ performance in these tests.
- Physiological markers were also monitored during these tests. These included heart rate, plasma lactate concentration, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, hematocrit (proportion of red blood cells in the blood), plasma glucose, and plasma Non-Esterified Fatty Acids (NEFA) concentrations.
- Lameness or locomotion asymmetry was tested before and after the field activity.
Key Findings
- Horses in the HA diet group had higher body weight, fat percentage, and body condition scores by 5-8% compared to the RA diet horses.
- During the SET, the HA horses had higher heart rates, plasma lactate concentrations, respiratory rates, and rectal temperatures compared to the RA group. Conversely, the HA horses showed lower hematocrit, plasma glucose, and plasma NEFA concentrations.
- HA horses also showed lower hematocrit in the field test, and the RA horses received higher scores for performance.
- After both tests, the RA horses achieved resting plasma lactate concentrations faster (i.e., they recovered more quickly) than the HA horses.
- Lameness or locomotion asymmetry was higher in the HA group than the RA group.
Conclusion
The results clearly suggest that an increase in body weight and fat content negatively impacts the physiological performance capacity of horses. It leads to decreased endurance (indicated by lower V), slower lactate metabolism, lower hematocrit levels, reduced glucose availability, and diminished overall performance, evaluated on the basis of objective measures and human assessments. The study’s findings are significant for improving understanding of equine health and performance, and for informing strategies for feeding, training, and managing horses to optimize their performance and welfare.
Cite This Article
APA
Jansson A, Gunnarsson Vu00de, Ringmark S, Ragnarsson S, Su00f6derroos D, u00c1sgeirsson E, Ju00f3hannsdu00f3ttir TR, Liedberg C, Stefu00e1nsdu00f3ttir GJ.
(2021).
Increased body fat content in horses alters metabolic and physiological exercise response, decreases performance, and increases locomotion asymmetry.
Physiol Rep, 9(11), e14824.
https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.14824 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Equine Science, Hu00f3lar University, Sauu00f0u00e1rkru00f3kur, Iceland.
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Equine Science, Hu00f3lar University, Sauu00f0u00e1rkru00f3kur, Iceland.
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Equine Science, Hu00f3lar University, Sauu00f0u00e1rkru00f3kur, Iceland.
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Equine Science, Hu00f3lar University, Sauu00f0u00e1rkru00f3kur, Iceland.
MeSH Terms
- Adipose Tissue / physiology
- Animals
- Body Temperature / physiology
- Heart Rate / physiology
- Horses / metabolism
- Horses / physiology
- Locomotion / physiology
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Respiratory Rate / physiology
Grant Funding
- The Stock Production Fund of the Icelandic Horse Breed
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Citations
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