Performance parameters and post exercise heart rate recovery in Warmblood sports horses of different performance levels.

This research studied performance parameters and post exercise heart rate recovery in Warmblood sports horses to establish normative standards. The study used treadmill-based submaximal incremental exercise tests to evaluate the fitness levels of the horses with the help of continuous velocity and heart rate measurements and blood lactate concentration readings.

Methodology

The researchers used thorough, standardized exercise tests for this study:

• The subject of the study was a group of 29 healthy Warmblood horses – 11 were 3-day event horses and 18 belonged to the National Equestrian Centre competing in amateur jumping and/or dressage events.
• These horses were accustomed to treadmills and a Submaximal Incremental Exercise Test (SIET) was performed on them on this equipment.
• The test consisted of a warm-up phase, followed by two stages of a trot, and between three to five stages of a gallop at six percent incline.
• The first stage of the test lasted for 120 seconds while all the others were 90 seconds long.
• During these stages, the velocity and heart rate of the horses were continuously measured and their blood lactate concentration (LAC) was calculated at the end of each stage.
• The measurement matrix included: Velocity at a heart rate of 150 and 200 beats per minute (V(150), V(200)), Velocity and heart rate at 2 and 4 mmol/l LAC (V(2), V(4) and HR(2), HR(4) respectively).
• The calculated parameters were compared between the various groups.
• For reference purposes, the horses were divided into groups of good performers (GP) and average performers (AP) based on their V(4) results.
• A five minute passive heart rate recovery (HRR) was compared between the two performance groups.
• 15 of the National Equestrian Centre horses were retested after a period of 1-3 months to compare results.

Results

The findings of the study were as follows:

• The three-day event horses had higher V(150), V(2), and V(4) values than the horses from the National Equestrian Centre.
• Good performers (GP) had higher values in all performance parameters compared to average performers (AP).
• No differences were found between the initial test and the retest conducted 1-3 months later.
• The mean recovery heart rate of the good performers was different from that of average performers from 120 seconds into the recovery period.

Conclusions

The study concluded that:

• Treadmill-based Submaximal Incremental Exercise Tests (SIETs) are effective for quantifying the aerobic capacity in Warmblood riding horses.
• Standards were established for both well-trained and averagely-trained horses based on these tests and the results obtained.
• These standards can be referred to when diagnosing horses showing signs of exercise intolerance.