Physiological comparison of conditioned and non-conditioned university horses following semester break.
Abstract: Periods of limited activity during semester break may reduce performance during return to ridden work. This study evaluated fitness and muscling of horses when returning to work, following a 12-week period during which horses either continued (conditioned) or discontinued (non-conditioned) ridden work. It was hypothesized that non-conditioned horses would have a lower level of fitness, resulting in higher resting and peak heart rates and lower levels of muscling. Twelve mature, stock type horses aged 16 ± 5 years were assigned to either a conditioned group that maintained light-to-moderate riding or a non-conditioned group receiving no formal exercise. All horses had access to voluntary exercise for 12-24hr/d on grass pasture (1.5-2.5 hectares). Following the 12-week period, all horses were placed into a light-to-moderate intensity exercise program with resting heart rate, peak heart rate, body condition score, gaskin and forearm circumference, and topline muscle measurements performed on d 0, 14, and 28. Peak and resting heart rates were not different between groups (P > 0.05) but increased for both groups throughout the study (P = 0.04). Gaskin circumference of non-conditioned horses was larger (P = 0.04), although non-conditioned horses tended to be heavier (551.4 versus 491.4 ± 21.4 kg; P = 0.07). Conditioned horses had greater average topline muscling scores (P = 0.02). Horses that were conditioned over a 12-week break had greater muscling, but changes in fitness were not detected. Pasture access could contribute to maintenance of fitness during unridden periods.
Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2024-06-28 PubMed ID: 38945460DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105143Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research study assesses the fitness and muscling of university-owned horses after a 12-week semester break period following different non-riding activity levels. The study found that non-conditioned horses had reduced muscling but displayed no discernable changes in fitness levels. It was also observed that access to pasture could help maintain fitness during non-riding periods.
Research Methodology
- Twelve mature horses of 16 ± 5 years were the subjects of this research.
- These horses were divided into two groups: conditioned and non-conditioned.
- The conditioned group were horses that maintained light-to-moderate riding while the non-conditioned group received no formal exercise.
- However, both groups had the chance to engage in voluntary exercise for 12-24 hours daily on grass pasture spanning 1.5-2.5 hectares.
- After the 12-week semester break period, all horses commenced a routine of light-to-moderate intensity exercise.
- Variables measured during the study included resting heart rate, peak heart rate, body condition score, gaskin and forearm circumference, and topline muscle measurements.
- These measurements were taken at the start of the study and after two and four weeks.
Findings
- Non-conditioned horses had larger gaskin circumference.
- These non-conditioned horses also weighed more on average (551.4 kg as compared to 491.4 ± 21.4 kg) but this result was not statistically significant (P = 0.07).
- Conditioned horses scored higher with respect to topline muscling.
- The study found no significant difference in resting and peak heart rates between the two groups.
- Heart rates, both peak and resting, increased in both groups over the course of the study (P = 0.04).
Conclusions
- Following a 12-week break, conditioned horses were found to have greater muscling.
- No noticeable changes in fitness were ascertained for the non-conditioned group.
- The study suggests that active pasture access could aid in maintaining fitness during periods without ridden work.
Cite This Article
APA
Stellmack JM, Logan AA, Higgins AH, Hoffman RM.
(2024).
Physiological comparison of conditioned and non-conditioned university horses following semester break.
J Equine Vet Sci, 105143.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105143 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Horse Science, School of Agriculture, Middle Tennessee State University, 314 W. Thompson Ln, Murfreesboro, TN 37129.
- Department of Horse Science, School of Agriculture, Middle Tennessee State University, 314 W. Thompson Ln, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. Electronic address: alyssa.logan@mtsu.edu.
- Department of Horse Science, School of Agriculture, Middle Tennessee State University, 314 W. Thompson Ln, Murfreesboro, TN 37129.
- Department of Horse Science, School of Agriculture, Middle Tennessee State University, 314 W. Thompson Ln, Murfreesboro, TN 37129.
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of competing interest None of the authors has any financial or personal relationships that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper.
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