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Journal of animal science2018; 95(11); 4869-4879; doi: 10.2527/jas2017.1670

Road transport and diet affect metabolic response to exercise in horses.

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of transport and diet on metabolic response during a subsequent race-like test in Standardbred horses in training fed a forage-only diet and a 50:50 forage:oats diet. Six trained and raced Standardbred trotter mares were used. Two diets, 1 forage-only diet (FONLY) and 1 diet with 50% of DM intake from forage and 50% from oats (FOATS), were fed for two 29-d periods in a crossover design. At Day 21, the horses were subjected to transport for 100 km before and after they performed an exercise test (transport test [TT]). At Day 26, the horses performed a control test (CT), in which they were kept in their stall before and after the exercise test. Blood samples were collected throughout the study, and heart rate and water intake were recorded. Heart rate and plasma cortisol, glucose, and NEFA concentrations were greater for the TT than for the CT ( = 0.008, = 0.020, = 0.010, and = 0.0002, respectively) but were not affected by diet. Plasma acetate concentration was lower during the TT than during the CT ( = 0.034) and greater for the FONLY than for the FOATS ( = 0.003). There were no overall effects of the TT compared with the CT on total plasma protein concentration (TPP), but TPP was lower with the FONLY than with the FOATS ( = 0.016). There was no overall effect of the TT compared with the CT on water intake, but water intake was greater with the FONLY than the FOATS ( = 0.011). There were no overall effects of transport or diet on BW, plasma lactate, or plasma urea concentration. It was concluded that both transport and diet affect metabolic response during exercise in horses. Aerobic energy supply was most likely elevated by transportation and by the FONLY. The FONLY also decreased exercise-induced effects on extracellular fluid regulation. These results highlight the importance of experimental design in nutrition studies. If the aim is to examine how a diet affects exercise response in competition horses, transport should preferably be included in the experimental design, because horses are likely to be transported before a competition.
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Publication Date: 2018-01-03 PubMed ID: 29293735PubMed Central: PMC6292253DOI: 10.2527/jas2017.1670Google 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.

This study explores how transport and diet impact the metabolic response of racehorses during a subsequent exercise test. It found that both transportation and diet have an effect, and highlights the importance of considering these factors in experimental design for nutrition studies.

Overview of Research

  • The research was conducted on six trained Standardbred trotter mares. They were subjected to two 29-day diet regimes comprising a solely forage diet (FONLY) and 50% forage with 50% oats (FOATS).
  • On day 21 of these regimes, these horses underwent a transport test (TT), where they were transported 100km before and after an exercise test. On day 26, a control test (CT) was conducted where the horses remained in their stalls before and after the exercise test.
  • Factors measured included blood samples (monitoring plasma cortisol, glucose, and NEFA concentrations), heart rate, and water intake. The researchers also recorded the body weight of the horses, plasma lactate, and plasma urea concentration.

Results and Findings

  • The study found that the heart rate and plasma concentrations of cortisol, glucose, and NEFA were significantly higher for the horses during the transport test (TT) compared to the control test (CT). However, these changes were not influenced by the type of diet.
  • The acetate concentration in the plasma was lower during the transport test than in the control test, and it was higher with the FONLY diet than the FOATS diet.
  • Contrarily, there were no overall effects registered on the total plasma protein concentration (TPP) due to the transport test. But the TPP was lower for horses on the FONLY diet than on the FOATS diet.
  • Water intake didn’t change significantly due to the transport test. Nevertheless, the water intake was greater for the horses on FONLY when compared with those on the FOATS diet.
  • There was no discernible effect of transport or diet on body weight, plasma lactate, or plasma urea concentration.

Implications and Conclusions

  • The results suggest that both transport and the nature of the diet (forage-only versus forage and oats) affect the horses’ metabolic responses during exercise.
  • Aerobic energy supply was more pronounced due to transportation and with the FONLY diet. The forage-only diet was also seen to diminish the exercise-induced effects on the extracellular fluid regulation.
  • The study emphasizes the importance of the experimental design in nutrition studies. If the goal is to assess how diet influences exercise response in competition horses, it is ideal to include transportation in the experimental design because horses are often transported prior to a competition.

Cite This Article

APA
Connysson M, Muhonen S, Jansson A. (2018). Road transport and diet affect metabolic response to exercise in horses. J Anim Sci, 95(11), 4869-4879. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas2017.1670

Publication

Journal of animal science
ISSN: 1525-3163
NlmUniqueID: 8003002
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 95
Issue: 11
Pages: 4869-4879

Researcher Affiliations

Connysson, M
    Muhonen, S
      Jansson, A

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Avena
        • Diet / veterinary
        • Drinking
        • Exercise Test / veterinary
        • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / blood
        • Female
        • Heart Rate
        • Horses / metabolism
        • Hydrocortisone / blood
        • Lactic Acid / blood
        • Physical Conditioning, Animal
        • Transportation

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        Citations

        This article has been cited 6 times.
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        4. Connysson M, Rhodin M, Jansson A. Effects of Horse Housing System on Energy Balance during Post-Exercise Recovery. Animals (Basel) 2019 Nov 14;9(11).
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        6. Connysson M, Jansson A. Starch Allowance and Muscle Enzyme Activity in Healthy Standardbred Trotters Trained by Professional Trainers. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2025 Sep;109(5):1130-1137.
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