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Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience2014; 8(3); 431-439; doi: 10.1017/S1751731113002309

Physiological response to a breed evaluation field test in Icelandic horses.

Abstract: This study examined the response in terms of heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), haematocrit (Htc), rectal temperature (RT), and some plasma variables in Icelandic horses of different sexes and ages performing the riding assessment in a breed evaluation field test (BEFT). The study was conducted in Iceland on 266 horses (180 mares and 86 stallions, divided into four age groups; 4, 5, 6 and ≥7 years old). RT and RR were recorded and blood samples were taken before the warm-up and after the riding assessment. Horse HR, velocity and distance were recorded during the warm-up, the riding assessment and a 5-min recovery period. The distance covered in the BEFT was 2.9 ± 0.4 km (range: 1.8 to 3.8 km, n=248), the duration was 9:37 ± 1:22 min:s (range: 5:07 to 15:32 min:s, n=260) and the average speed was 17.8 ± 1.4 km/h (range: 13.2 to 21.3 km/h, n=248). Average HR was 184 ± 13 b.p.m. (range: 138 to 210 b.p.m., n=102) and peak HR 224 ± 9 b.p.m. (range: 195 to 238 b.p.m., n=102), and 36% of the BEFT was performed at HR ≥200 b.p.m. Post-exercise plasma lactate concentration (Lac) was 18.0 ± 6.5 mmol/l (range: 2.1 to 34.4 mmol/l, n=266), and there was an increase in total plasma protein, plasma creatine kinase and aspartate amino transferase concentration, as well as RR, RT and Htc. Stallions covered a longer total distance (in the warm-up and BEFT) (P<0.05), at a faster speed during BEFT (P<0.001) than mares and had higher Htc and lower HR and post-exercise Lac values. There were few effects of age, but the 4- and 5-year-old horses had lower Htc than older horses and 4-year-old horses had higher post-exercise RR than older horses, although they were ridden for a shorter distance, shorter duration and at lower peak velocity (P<0.1). The results showed that the riding assessment in the BEFT is a high-intensity exercise. The results also showed that aerobic fitness was higher in stallions and that age had a limited effect on the physiological response. It is suggested that these results should be used as a guide for the development of training programmes and fitness tests in Icelandic horses that would improve both performance and welfare of the horse.
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Publication Date: 2014-01-06 PubMed ID: 24387835PubMed Central: PMC3942816DOI: 10.1017/S1751731113002309Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article delves into the physical reactions—heart rate, breathing rate, haematocrit, body temperature, and some blood plasma changes—of Icelandic horses of different ages and sexes during a breed evaluation test ride. Over 200 horses, both stallions and mares of varying ages, were studied in Iceland and several measurements were taken pre and post riding. Findings showed stallions had a better aerobic fitness while age appeared to have minimal impact on the physical responses.

Methods of the study

  • This study was conducted on 266 Icelandic horses, comprising 180 mares and 86 stallions, split into four age groups: 4 years, 5 years, 6 years, and 7 years and above.
  • The physiological parameters recorded were heart rate and its peak, breathing rate, haematocrit (the amount of red blood cells in blood), rectal temperature, and certain plasma variables. These were noted both prior to the warm-up and after the riding assessment as part of the breed evaluation field test (BEFT).
  • In addition, the horse’s velocity, total distance covered, and the distance covered in the BEFT were tracked during the warm-up, the riding assessment, and a 5-minute recovery period.

Findings of the study

  • The study found that on average, the horses covered a distance of 2.9 km during the BEFT, with a duration of about 9 minutes and an average speed of 17.8 km per hour.
  • The average heart rate was found to be 184 beats per minute (b.p.m.), with a peak of 224 b.p.m., and for 36% of the BEFT, heart rate was above 200 b.p.m.
  • After the exercise, there was an increase in the plasma lactate concentration, total plasma protein, plasma creatine kinase and aspartate amino transferase concentration, breathing rate, rectal temperature, and haematocrit (Htc).
  • The study showed stallions covered a greater distance at a higher speed during the BEFT. Stallions also showed a higher hematocrit value but lower heart rate and post-exercise lactate values, suggesting better aerobic fitness than mares.
  • Age seemed to have a limited effect on the physiological response, although 4-year-old horses displayed higher post-exercise breathing rates, even though they were ridden for a shorter distance, duration, and peak velocity.

Implications of the study

  • The study shows that the breed evaluation field test is a high-intensity exercise for horses, given the changes observed in physiological parameters like heart rate, breathing rate, etc.
  • The findings also provide insights into the fitness level of horses based on their sex, with stallions demonstrating higher aerobic fitness.
  • Even though the impact of age on physiological responses was limited, the results suggest that age can influence some variables like post-exercise breathing rates and haematocrit levels.
  • These findings can help in designing tailored training programmes and fitness tests for Icelandic horses to improve their performance and welfare.

Cite This Article

APA
Stefánsdóttir GJ, Ragnarsson S, Gunnarsson V, Jansson A. (2014). Physiological response to a breed evaluation field test in Icelandic horses. Animal, 8(3), 431-439. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731113002309

Publication

Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience
ISSN: 1751-732X
NlmUniqueID: 101303270
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 8
Issue: 3
Pages: 431-439

Researcher Affiliations

Stefánsdóttir, G J
  • 1 Department of Equine Science, Hólar University College, 551 Sauðárkrókur, Iceland.
Ragnarsson, S
  • 1 Department of Equine Science, Hólar University College, 551 Sauðárkrókur, Iceland.
Gunnarsson, V
  • 1 Department of Equine Science, Hólar University College, 551 Sauðárkrókur, Iceland.
Jansson, A
  • 1 Department of Equine Science, Hólar University College, 551 Sauðárkrókur, Iceland.

MeSH Terms

  • Aging
  • Animals
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • Blood Proteins / analysis
  • Breeding
  • Female
  • Heart Rate
  • Horses / classification
  • Horses / physiology
  • Lactates / blood
  • Male
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Time Factors

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Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
  1. Söderroos D, Stefánsdóttir GJ, Ragnarsson S, Gunnarsson V, Jansson A. Relationship between weight-carrying capacity and performance in a standardized treadmill exercise test in horses. Physiol Rep 2025 Oct;13(19):e70607.
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  2. Söderroos D, Stefánsdóttir GJ, Ragnarsson S, Gunnarsson V, Jansson A. Physiological response to weight carrying and associations with conformation traits in Icelandic horses used for tour riding. Acta Vet Scand 2025 Jun 19;67(1):35.
    doi: 10.1186/s13028-025-00818-5pubmed: 40537779google scholar: lookup
  3. Sigurðardóttir H, Ablondi M, Kristjansson T, Lindgren G, Eriksson S. Genetic diversity and signatures of selection in Icelandic horses and Exmoor ponies. BMC Genomics 2024 Aug 8;25(1):772.
    doi: 10.1186/s12864-024-10682-8pubmed: 39118059google scholar: lookup
  4. Saitua A, Castejón-Riber C, Requena F, Argüelles D, Calle-González N, de Medina AS, Muñoz A. Previous Exercise on a Water Treadmill at Different Depths Affects the Accelerometric Pattern Recorded on a Track in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 9;12(22).
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  5. Jansson A, Gunnarsson VÞ, Ringmark S, Ragnarsson S, Söderroos D, Ásgeirsson E, Jóhannsdóttir TR, Liedberg C, Stefánsdóttir GJ. Increased body fat content in horses alters metabolic and physiological exercise response, decreases performance, and increases locomotion asymmetry. Physiol Rep 2021 Jun;9(11):e14824.
    doi: 10.14814/phy2.14824pubmed: 34110691google scholar: lookup
  6. Stefánsdóttir GJ, Gunnarsson V, Roepstorff L, Ragnarsson S, Jansson A. The effect of rider weight and additional weight in Icelandic horses in tölt: part I. Physiological responses. Animal 2017 Sep;11(9):1558-1566.
    doi: 10.1017/S1751731117000556pubmed: 28320488google scholar: lookup
  7. Cravana C, Medica P, Ragonese G, Fazio E. Influence of training and competitive sessions on peripheral β-endorphin levels in training show jumping horses. Vet World 2017 Jan;10(1):67-73.
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