[Performance testing of mules and Haflinger horses used as pack animals].

The research involves the performance testing of mules and Haflinger horses, specifically during extensive physical exertion, by assessing changes in different blood constituents and health parameters both at rest and after exercise over a 20-week period. The study notices apparent differences between the two breeds regarding their performance and potential signs of muscle cell damage in heavily worked animals.

Research Background and Methodology

• The study was conducted over a 20-week period, examining the health and performance of both mules and Haflinger horses, particularly when used as pack animals and subjected to significant physical exercise.
• The parameters being monitored included the count of erythrocytes (red blood cells), packed cell volume (the volume of red blood cells compared to the total blood volume), hemoglobin levels (a protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen to the body’s tissues), sedimentation rate (the rate at which red blood cells sediment in an hour), and various enzymatic activities such as Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Creatine phosphokinase, Lactate dehydrogenase, and its isoform LDH-1.
• Additional parameters included Glucose and Lactate levels and total bilirubin (a product from the breakdown of red blood cells) and vital signs like pulse and respiration rate.
• All these parameters were examined both at rest and after periods of exercise.

Findings and Conclusions

• The study found significant changes in these blood and physiological parameters after exercise, specifically in relation to the intensity of the exercise and the individual performance of the animals.
• Well-trained horses displayed improved performance in line with the changes observed in the blood parameters, suggesting that these factors might be used as markers of fitness and performance.
• Some horses exhibited high enzyme activity, which the researchers associated with muscle cell damage. This indicates that these animals may have been overworked.
• Differences in performance and the effect of exercise on these parameters were also observed between mules and Haflinger horses. These breed-specific differences could potentially inform breed selection for specific tasks or develop breed-specific training or care regimes.