Metabolic changes in four beat gaited horses after field marcha simulation.
Abstract: Mangalarga-Marchador is a popular 4-gaited Brazilian horse breed; however, there is little information about their metabolic and physiological response to exercise. Objective: To measure physiological and metabolic responses of the Mangalarga-Marchador to a simulated marcha field test and to compare these responses between 2 types of marcha gaits (picada and batida). Methods: Thirteen horses were used in the study and randomly assigned to either the picada or batida gait for the simulated marcha field test (speed ∼ 3.2 m/s; 30 min; load ∼ 80 kg). Methods: Included body composition, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), glucose (GLUC), lactate (LACT), packed cell volume (PCV), total plasma protein (TPP), albumin, urea, creatinine, total and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, creatine kinase, alanine, glutamate and glutamine (GLN). Measurements were obtained pretest (control/fasting), immediately after simulation (T(0)), and 15 (T(15)), 30 (T(30)) and 240 (T(240)) min after the simulation. Lactate (LACT) was measured at T(0), T(15) and T(30). Data were analysed using ANOVA, Tukey's test and t tests with significance set at P < 0.05. Results: Significant acute changes were observed in HR, RR, [GLUC], [LACT], [TPP], PCV and [GLN] (P<0.05) relative to control. Heart rate fell below 60 beats/min at T(15) and RR recovered to pretest values by T(240). Significant increases in [GLUC], [LACT], PCV and [TPP] and a decrease in [GLN] were observed at T(0). Treatment and interaction effects were also observed between marcha types and time of sampling for HR, RF, PCV, and [LACT] (P < 0.05). These parameters were large in picada. Conclusions: The simulation of field-test produced changes in some physiological and blood parameters in marcha horses, with some degree of dehydration during recovery period. Also, it was demonstrated that picada horses spend more energy when compared with batida horses at the the same speed. Conclusions: Batida horses spend less energy when compared with picada horses, which will need special attention in their training and nutritional management.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2011-05-27 PubMed ID: 21058990DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00288.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research reports on the metabolic and physiological responses observed in Mangalarga-Marchador horses, a popular Brazilian breed, following a simulated field marcha. Different responses were noted between the two types of marcha gaits studied (picada and batida), with picada horses showing a greater expenditure of energy.
Research Objectives and Methods
- The research’s primary objective was to evaluate the physiological and metabolic changes experienced by Mangalarga-Marchador horses following a simulated field marcha.
- Two types of marcha gaits (picada and batida) were studied for comparison.
- Thirteen horses were used for the study, randomly assigned to either the picada or batida groups.
- Various factors were measured, including body composition, heart and respiratory rates, glucose and lactate levels, albumin, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatine kinase, and more.
- Measurements were taken pretest (fasting), immediately post-simulation, and at specific time intervals after the simulation (15, 30, and 240 minutes).
Results
- Significant changes were observed in the heart rate, respiratory rate, blood glucose, lactate levels, total plasma protein, packed cell volume, and glutamine levels relative to control.
- Heart rate dropped below 60 beats/minute at 15 minutes post-simulation, and the respiratory rate returned to pretest values at 240 minutes.
- Increased levels in blood glucose, lactate, packed cell volume, and total plasma protein, as well as a decrease in glutamine levels, were noted immediately after the simulation.
- Treatment and interaction effects were observed between the marcha types and the timing of sampling for heart rate, respiratory frequency, packed cell volume, and lactate levels. These parameters were larger in the picada group.
Conclusions
- The field marcha simulation led to changes in various physiological parameters and blood levels in the horses, with indications of mild dehydration during the recovery period.
- It was found that picada horses expended more energy than batida horses at the same speed, indicating the former may require different or more focused training and nutritional management strategies.
- These insights are significant for understanding the unique physical needs and recovery dynamics of different horse breeds, and can inform more effective breeding, training, and care practices.
Cite This Article
APA
Wanderley EK, Manso Filho HC, Manso HE, Santiago TA, McKeever KH.
(2011).
Metabolic changes in four beat gaited horses after field marcha simulation.
Equine Vet J Suppl(38), 105-109.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00288.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Núcleo de Pesquisa Equina and †Professor do Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, Bairro de Dois Irmãos, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Body Composition
- Dehydration
- Energy Metabolism / physiology
- Gait / physiology
- Horses / blood
- Horses / metabolism
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Vincelette A. The Characteristics, Distribution, Function, and Origin of Alternative Lateral Horse Gaits. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 8;13(16).
- Zakari FO, Ayo JO, Rekwot PI, Kawu MU, Minka NS. Diurnal rhythms of heart and respiratory rates in donkeys of different age groups during the cold-dry and hot-dry seasons in a tropical savannah. Physiol Rep 2018 Sep;6(17):e13855.
- Bussiman F, Richter J, Hidalgo J, Silva FFE, Ventura RV, Carvalho RSB, Mattos EC, Ferraz JBS, Eler JP, de Carvalho Balieiro JC. Bayesian Recursive and Structural Equation Models to Infer Causal Links Among Gait Visual Scores on Campolina Horses. J Anim Breed Genet 2025 Sep;142(5):463-477.
- Bussiman F, Alves AAC, Richter J, Hidalgo J, Veroneze R, Oliveira T. Supervised Machine Learning Techniques for Breeding Value Prediction in Horses: An Example Using Gait Visual Scores. Animals (Basel) 2024 Sep 20;14(18).
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