FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Translational animal science2020; 4(2); txaa032; doi: 10.1093/tas/txaa032

The energy requirements of performance horses in training.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to estimate the energy requirements of performance horses in active, variable training in the field. Sixty horses in England and Switzerland were measured over 2-wk periods and, for 15 of these, the measurement period was extended, ranging from 21 to 42 wk. Energy intake was estimated by measuring daily feed consumption. Energy output was measured using heart rate (HR) monitors during 608 training sessions, relating HR to volume of oxygen (VO₂) and converting VO₂ to energy. Field maintenance requirements were calculated by deducting the marginal energy cost of training from energy input. The mean field maintenance expenditure for performance horses with a normal temperament was found to be 0.118 MJ of metabolizable energy (ME) per kilogram of body weight (BW) per day (SD = 0.008, CI = 0.005, n = 60 horses). This result is between 1.9% (P = 0.086) and 20.9% (P < 0.001) greater than the official guidance found in the United States, France, Germany, and Holland. Heart rate monitoring of training revealed a mean energy expenditure (EE) per ridden session of 0.023 MJ ME (SD = 0.001, CI = 0.001, n = 175 training sessions). The mean daily EE for exercise based on a full week's training was 0.018 MJ ME/kg BW/d (SD = 0.005, CI = 0.001, n = 60 horses), representing a multiple of maintenance of 15.3%. This implies that the official guidance in the United States and France may overstate expenditure for exercise by 111% and 15%, respectively (P < 0.01). Daily EE between countries and within disciplines was consistent, allowing for the creation of user-friendly tables that can be used in budgeting the energy component of diets.
© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2020-03-17 PubMed ID: 32705030PubMed Central: PMC7201169DOI: 10.1093/tas/txaa032Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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 research investigates the energy requirements for performance horses during active and diverse training, suggesting that current guidelines in the U.S., France, Germany, and Holland might overstate the energy needs.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers carried out a quantitative study on 60 performance horses located in England and Switzerland over a span of 2 weeks. For 15 of these horses, the study was extended between 21 to 42 weeks.
  • The daily feed consumption of these horses was measured to estimate energy intake. The energy output, on the other hand, was evaluated by monitoring the heart rate of the horses during 608 training sessions. The heart rate was then related to the volume of oxygen consumed which was further converted into energy.
  • To deduce the field maintenance requirements, the researchers subtracted the marginal energy cost of training from the energy input.

Research Findings

  • The study found that the mean field maintenance expenditure for performance horses having a normal temperament was roughly 0.118 Megajoules of metabolizable energy (ME) per kilogram of body weight (BW) each day.
  • This result is 1.9% to 20.9% higher than the official standards found in the USA, France, Germany, and Holland.
  • Further, the monitoring of the heart rate during training showed an average energy expenditure (EE) per ridden session at 0.023 MJ ME.
  • On considering a full week’s training schedule, the daily EE for the exercise was judged at 0.018 MJ ME/kg BW/day.

Implications of Research

  • The research indicates that the official guidelines in the USA and France may overestimate the energy expenditure for exercise by 111% and 15% respectively.
  • The consistency in daily EE across countries and disciplines allowed for the formation of user-friendly tables that can be utilized for budgeting the energy component of diets in performance horses.

The findings of the research suggest a need for a revision in the energy requirements specified in the current guidelines for performance horses to better align with field maintenance and training requirements.

Cite This Article

APA
Ebert M, Moore-Colyer MJS. (2020). The energy requirements of performance horses in training. Transl Anim Sci, 4(2), txaa032. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txaa032

Publication

Translational animal science
ISSN: 2573-2102
NlmUniqueID: 101738705
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 4
Issue: 2
Pages: txaa032

Researcher Affiliations

Ebert, Mark
  • School of Equine Management and Science, Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester GL, UK.
Moore-Colyer, Meriel J S
  • School of Equine Management and Science, Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester GL, UK.

References

This article includes 43 references
  1. Anderson CE, Potter GD, Kreider JL, Courtney CC. Digestible energy requirements for exercising horses. J. Anim. Sci. 1983;56:91–95.
    doi: 10.2527/jas1983.56191xpubmed: 6826482google scholar: lookup
  2. Bines JA, Suzuki S, Balch CC. The quantitative significance of long-term regulation of food intake in the cow. Br. J. Nutr. 1969;23:695–704.
    doi: 10.1079/bjn19690077pubmed: 5804425google scholar: lookup
  3. Blaxter KL. Energy metabolism in animals and man. 1989.
  4. Blok M. The EWpa system, the actualised Dutch net energy system for horses. 2016.
  5. Coenen M. The suitability of heart rate in the prediction of energy consumption, energy expenditure and energy requirements for the existing horse. 2008.
  6. Coenen M. Remarks on the benefits of heart rate recordings. Proceedings of the 2010 Kentucky Equine Research Nutrition Conference 2010.
  7. Coenen M, Kienzle E, Vervuert I, Zeyner A. Recent German developments in the formulation of energy and nutrient requirements in horses and the resulting feeding recommendations. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2011;31:219–229.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2011.03.204google scholar: lookup
  8. Cohen J. Statistical power analysis for behavioural sciences, 2nd ed. 1988.
  9. Cordero VV, Cavinder CA, Tedeschi LO, Sigler DH, Vogelsang MM, Arnold CE. The development and evaluation of a mathematical nutrition model to predict digestible energy intake of broodmares based on body condition changes. J. Anim. Sci. 2013;91:2169–2177.
    doi: 10.2527/jas.2011-4659pubmed: 23422008google scholar: lookup
  10. DEFRA. Code of practice for the welfare of horses, ponies, donkeys and their hybrids. 2018.
  11. Dulphy J, Martin-Rosset W, Dubroeucq J, Ballet JM, Detour A, Jailler M. Compared feeding patterns in ad libitum intakes of dry forages by horses and sheep. Livest. Prod. Sci. 1997;52:49–56.
    doi: 10.1016/S0301-6226(97)00113-9google scholar: lookup
  12. Eaton M. Energetics and performance. 1994.
  13. Ferjak EN, Cavinder CA, Burnett DD, Argo CM, Dinh TTN. Body fat of stock-type horses predicted by rump fat thickness and deuterium oxide dilution and validated by near-infrared spectroscopy of dissected tissues. J. Anim. Sci. 2017;95:4344–4351.
    doi: 10.2527/jas2017.1676pubmed: 29108049google scholar: lookup
  14. Fortier J, Deley G, Goachet AG, Julliand V. Quantification of the energy expenditure during training exercises in standardbred trotters. Animal 2015;9:793–799.
    doi: 10.1017/S1751731114003139pubmed: 25523062google scholar: lookup
  15. Frape D. Equine nutrition and feeding, 4th ed. 2010.
  16. Henneke DR, Potter GD, Kreider JL, Yeates BF. Relationship between condition score, physical measurements and body fat percentage in mares. Equine Vet. J. 1983;15:371–372.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1983.tb01826.xpubmed: 6641685google scholar: lookup
  17. Hintz HF, Roberts SJ, Sabin SW, Schryver HF. Energy requirements of light horses for various activities. J. Anim. Sci. 1971;32:100–102.
    doi: 10.2527/jas1971.321100xpubmed: 5546866google scholar: lookup
  18. Hipp B, Süum KH, Zeyner A, Goren G, Kienzle E. Renal energy excretion of horses depends on renal hippuric acid and nitrogen excretion. J. Anim. Physiol. Anim. Nutr. 2017;1–7.
    doi: 10.1111/jpn.12756pubmed: 28608590google scholar: lookup
  19. Ille N, Erber R, Aurich C, Aurich J. Comparison of heart rate and heart rate variability obtained by heart rate monitors and simultaneously recorded electrocardiogram signals in non-exercising horses. J. Vet. Behav. 2014;9:341–346.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2014.07.006google scholar: lookup
  20. INRA. L’alimentation des animaux monogastriques, 1st ed. 1984.
  21. INRA. Equine nutrition: INRA nutrient requirements, recommended allowances and feed tables. 2012.
  22. Jansson A, Saastamoinen M, Lindberg JE. Forages and grazing in horse nutrition. 2012.
  23. Karlsson C, Lindberg JE, Rundren M. Associative effects on total tract digestibility in horses fed different ratios of grass hay and whole oats. Livest. Prod. Sci. 2000;65:143–153.
    doi: 10.1016/S0301-6226(99)00178-5google scholar: lookup
  24. Kearns CF, McKeever KH, John-Alder H, Abe T, Brechue WF. Relationship between body composition, blood volume and maximal oxygen intake. Equine Vet. J. Suppl. 2002;34:485–490.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05470.xpubmed: 12405738google scholar: lookup
  25. Kienzle E. Small intestinal digestion of starch in the horse. Rev. Méd. Vét. 1994;145(2):199–204.
  26. Kienzle E, Zeyner A. The development of a metabolisable energy system for horses. J. Anim. Physiol. Anim. Nutr. 2010;94:e231–e240.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.20pubmed: 20626500google scholar: lookup
  27. Martin-Rosset W, Vermorel M. Maintenance energy requirement variations determined by indirect calorimetry and feeding trials in light horses. J Equine Vet Sci. 1991;11-1:42–45.
    doi: 10.1016/S0737-0806(06)81246-3google scholar: lookup
  28. Martin-Rosset W, Vermorel M, Doreau M, Tisserand JL, Andrieu J. The French horse feed evaluation systems and recommended allowances for energy and protein. Livest. Prod. Sci. 1994;40–1:37–56.
    doi: 10.1016/0301-6226(94)90264-Xgoogle scholar: lookup
  29. McBride S, Parker M, Roberts K. Applied neurophysiology of the horse: implications for training, housing and welfare. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2017;190:90–101.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.02.014google scholar: lookup
  30. Minetti AE, ArdigO LP, Reinach E, Saibene F. The relationship between mechanical work and energy expenditure of locomotion in horses. J. Exp. Biol. 1999;202(Pt 17):2329–2338.
    pubmed: 10441084
  31. NRC. Nutrient requirements of horses, 6th rev. ed. 2007.
  32. Pagan JD, Hintz HF. Equine energetics. I. Relationship between body weight and energy requirements in horses. J. Anim. Sci. 1986;63:815–821.
    doi: 10.2527/jas1986.633815xpubmed: 3759709google scholar: lookup
  33. Pagan JD, Hintz HF. Equine energetics. II. Energy expenditure in horses during submaximal exercise. J. Anim. Sci. 1986;63:822–830.
    doi: 10.2527/jas1986.633822xpubmed: 3759710google scholar: lookup
  34. Pagan J, Martin O, Crowley N, Hooks KL. Relationship between body condition and metabolic parameters in sport horses, pony hunters and polo ponies. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2009;29(5):418–420.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2009.04.117google scholar: lookup
  35. Robergs R, Burnett A. Methods used to process data from indirect calorimetry and their application to VO₂ max. J. Exerc. Physiol. 2003;6(2):44–57.
  36. Stillions MC, Nelson WE. Digestible energy during maintenance of the light horse. J. Anim. Sci. 1972;34:981–982.
    doi: 10.2527/jas1972.346981xpubmed: 5027307google scholar: lookup
  37. Vermorel M, Martin-Rosset W, Vernet J. Energy utilisation of two diets for miantenance by horses; agrMEment with the new French net energy standards. J Equine Vet Sc. 1990;10(6):449–452.
    doi: 10.1016/S0737-0806(06)80142-5google scholar: lookup
  38. Vermorel M, Martin-Rosset W, Vernet J. Energy utilisation of two diets for maintenance by horses; agrMEment with the new French energy system. J Equine Vet Sci. 1991;11:33–35.
    doi: 10.1016/SO737-0806(06)80142-5google scholar: lookup
  39. Vermorel M, Martin-Rosset W, Vernet J. Energy utilization of twelve forages or mixed diets for maintenance by sport horses. Livest Prod Sci. 1997;47:157–167.
    doi: 10.1016/S0301-6226(96)01402-9google scholar: lookup
  40. Vermorel M, Martin-Rosset W, Vernet J. Digestive and energy utilisation of two diets by ponies and horses. Livest Prod Sci. 1997;51:13–19.
    doi: 10.1016/S0301-6226(97)00108-5google scholar: lookup
  41. Winchester CF. The energy cost of standing in horses. Science 1943;97:2505.
    doi: 10.1126/science.97.2505.24google scholar: lookup
  42. Wooden GR, Knox KL, Wild CL. Energy metabolism in light horses. J. Anim Sci. 1970;30:544–548.
    doi: 10.2527/jas1970.304544xgoogle scholar: lookup
  43. Zoller JL, Cavinder CA, Sigler D, Tedeschi LO, Harlin J. Development of a mathematical model for predicting digestible energy intake to meet desired body condition parameters in exercising horses. J. Anim. Sci. 2019;97:1945–1955.
    doi: 10.1093/jas/skz041pmc: PMC6488313pubmed: 30715345google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Garland A, van Doorn DA, van den Boom R, Roelfsema E, Jung L, Boast M, Papadakis K, Margiotta M, Wafelbakker S, Briggs M, McCrae P, Pearson W. Morphometric changes in overweight horses following 10-week weight loss programs. BMC Vet Res 2025 Oct 10;21(1):596.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-05032-zpubmed: 41068901google scholar: lookup
  2. Moore-Colyer M, Westacott A, Rousson L, Harris P, Daniels S. Where Are We Now? Feeds, Feeding Systems and Current Knowledge of UK Horse Owners When Feeding Haylage to Their Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 7;13(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13081280pubmed: 37106843google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,780 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.