Veterinary medicine international2014; 2014; 875051; doi: 10.1155/2014/875051

The effect of different types of physical exercise on the behavioural and physiological parameters of standardbred horses housed in single stalls.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of three different physical exercises on the physiological and behavioural patterns of Standardbred trotters housed in single stalls. Twelve racing mares were observed twice during each different exercise: daily training (DT) consisted of forty minutes at slow trot (4-5 m/s) in a small track; maximal exercise (ME) consisted of 1600 m run at maximal velocity; race (R) was a real race of 1600 m. The mares were examined at rest in their stall (Time I), soon after the completion of the exercise (Time II), one hour (Time III), and two hours (Time IV) after the exercise. Their heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were recorded and they were videotaped in order to complete a focal animal sampling ethogram. All physiological parameters increased after exercise, in accordance with its intensity. After R and ME horses spent more time drinking, eating, and standing. The incidence of abnormal behaviours was very low and it was not affected by the different types of exercise. Overall, the assessment of horse behaviour after physical exercise by means of a focal animal sampling ethogram represents a useful tool to monitor equine welfare.
Publication Date: 2014-01-22 PubMed ID: 24587940PubMed Central: PMC3920612DOI: 10.1155/2014/875051Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The study looks at how different intensity levels of exercise affect the physiological and behavioural patterns of Standardbred trotter horses. Researchers examined heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, and behaviour at rest, immediately after exercise, and one and two hours post-exercise.

Study Design

  • The research employed 12 racing mares (female horses), observing them through three different exercise intensities: Daily Training (DT), Maximal Exercise (ME), and Race (R).
  • DT consisted of forty minutes in a slow trot; ME was a run at maximal velocity over 1600 meters; while R was an actual race over 1600 meters.
  • Each physiological or behavioral test was performed four times: at rest (Time I), immediately after exercise (Time II), one hour after exercise (Time III), and two hours after exercise (Time IV).
  • To observe behavior patterns, researchers employed videographic recording and applied focal animal sampling ethograms for the study. An ethogram is a comprehensive list, catalogue or description of all the different kinds of behavior or activity observed in an animal.

Findings

  • As expected, all measured physiological parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature) rose post-exercise, proportional to the intensity of the exercise.
  • After R and ME conditions, it was observed that horses spent more time drinking, eating, and standing. The researchers identified these behaviors as a response to the more intense exercise, likely to help recover from the exertion.
  • The incidence of abnormal behaviors was found to be low and the type of exercise had no significant impact on these behaviors. This indicates that different exercise levels do not induce stress behaviors in these horses.

Significance of the Study

  • This research helps understand the impacts of varying exercise intensities on the physiological and behavioral patterns of Standardbred trotter horses.
  • It indicates that different exercise levels have no impact on abnormal behaviors, suggesting they do not induce stress in horses.
  • It underscores the value of using a focal animal sampling ethogram as an effective tool in monitoring physiological and behavioral changes in horses, thereby aiding our understanding of equine welfare.

Cite This Article

APA
Padalino B, Zaccagnino P, Celi P. (2014). The effect of different types of physical exercise on the behavioural and physiological parameters of standardbred horses housed in single stalls. Vet Med Int, 2014, 875051. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/875051

Publication

ISSN: 2090-8113
NlmUniqueID: 101524203
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 2014
Pages: 875051
PII: 875051

Researcher Affiliations

Padalino, Barbara
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Str. prov. Per Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano (Bari), Italy.
Zaccagnino, Paola
  • Dipartimento di Scienze delle Produzioni Animali, Universitu00e0 degli Studi della Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy.
Celi, Pietro
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, P.M.B. 4003, Narellan, NSW 2567, Australia ; Melbourne School of Land and Environment, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
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  2. Popescu S, Lazar EA, Borda C, Niculae M, Sandru CD, Spinu M. Welfare Quality of Breeding Horses Under Different Housing Conditions.. Animals (Basel) 2019 Mar 5;9(3).
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