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Journal of equine science2017; 28(1); 1-12; doi: 10.1294/jes.28.1

Studies on the exercise physiology of draft horses performed in Japan during the 1950s and 1960s.

Abstract: Although the total number of horses raised in Japan dramatically decreased after World War II, because draft horses were still used for farm work in paddy fields and on farms during the period of the 1950s and 1960s, a performance test for selecting better draft horses was needed. In order to determine the most suitable size of draft horses for Japanese farm conditions, the working power of horses weighing from 185 to 622 kg was evaluated by performing an endurance test, several kinds of working power tests, and maximum pulling power tests. Oxygen consumption during draft exercise was measured by the Douglas bag method in order to evaluate effects of draft workload under the conditions of different types of work (14- and 18-cm plow depths, cultivator, and tillage), traction methods (shoulder traction, shoulder-trunk traction, and chest-trunk traction), walking speeds (40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 m/min), and depths of water (0, 18, 36, and 54 cm) on energy expenditure. The relationship between energy consumption and pulse rate during exercise was also evaluated. A study of a performance test for draft horses was conducted to establish a new approach for evaluating draft horse performance using heart rate as an index. For this study, a beat meter for measuring heart rate was developed, and experimental protocols were used to evaluate the relationship between heart rate and workload. Although the research results obtained from these studies do not have particular relevance in the current day, these studies are valuable for understanding the history of equine exercise physiology in Japan.
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Publication Date: 2017-03-28 PubMed ID: 28400701PubMed Central: PMC5383625DOI: 10.1294/jes.28.1Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This abstract follows the research conducted in Japan during the 1950s and 1960s on the exercise physiology of draft horses, with the aim of finding the most suitable draft horse size for Japanese farms. The study analysed the working power of the horses in various conditions. The relationship between energy consumption and pulse rate during work was also studied, and a new approach to evaluating horse performance based on heart rate was also developed.

Research Background

  • Post World War II, Japan saw a significant decrease in the number of horses. Despite this decline, draft horses were still heavily used on farms and paddy fields during the 1950s and 1960s.
  • The continued reliance on draft horses necessitated a performance test that would assist in selecting better draft horses that are suitable for farm work.

Research Methods

  • The researchers performed a variety of tests using draft horses of different weights (ranging from 185 to 622 kg) to evaluate their working power.
  • The tests included endurance tests, different types of working power tests, and maximum pulling power tests.
  • Oxygen consumption during exercise was also measured using the Douglas bag method. This was done to assess the effect of workload under various conditions, such as differing plow depths, types of traction methods, walking speeds, and water depth, on the horses’ energy expenditure.
  • The researchers also conducted studies to measure the relationship between the energy consumption and pulse rate of the horses during exercise.
  • A new approach to evaluating horse performance using heart rate as an index was developed. A beat meter for measuring heart rate was developed for this purpose.

Research Relevance

  • While the results of these studies may not be particularly relevant now, they provide valuable insights into the history of equine exercise physiology in Japan.
  • These studies also underpin the effort of the time in understanding draft horse performance and in establishing standards of health and effectiveness for draft horses used in agriculture.

Cite This Article

APA
Hiraga A, Sugano S. (2017). Studies on the exercise physiology of draft horses performed in Japan during the 1950s and 1960s. J Equine Sci, 28(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.28.1

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 28
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-12

Researcher Affiliations

Hiraga, Atsushi
  • Hidaka Training and Research Center of the Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
Sugano, Shigeru
  • Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 180-0004, Japan.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Kimura Y, Haneda S, Aoki T, Furuoka H, Miki W, Fukumoto N, Matsui M, Nambo Y. Combined thickness of the uterus and placenta and ultrasonographic examinations of uteroplacental tissues in normal pregnancy, placentitis, and abnormal parturitions in heavy draft horses. J Equine Sci 2018;29(1):1-8.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.29.1pubmed: 29593442google scholar: lookup
  2. Yano R, Moriyama T, Fujimori M, Nishida T, Hanada M, Fukuma N. Effects of concentrate levels on intestinal fermentation and the microbial profile in Japanese draft horses. J Equine Sci 2023 Dec;34(4):101-109.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.34.101pubmed: 38274554google scholar: lookup
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