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Translational animal science2020; 4(4); txaa196; doi: 10.1093/tas/txaa196

The energy requirements of racehorses in training.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to estimate the energy requirements of Thoroughbred racehorses in active training for flat racing. Twenty-two Thoroughbred racehorses in England were measured over periods from 6 to 15 wk, which included periods of active race training and temporarily reduced training. Energy intake was determined by measuring daily feed consumption. Energy output was measured using heart rate monitors during 730 training sessions, relating heart rate (HR) to oxygen consumption (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 during periods of active race training was 0.1731 megajoules (MJ) of metabolizable energy (ME)/kg of bodyweight (BW)/d (SD = 0.0174, CI = 0.0073, n = 22 horses, 193 wk). This result is 11% to 66% greater than the official guidance found in the United States, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Heart rate monitoring revealed a mean energy expenditure for exercise of 0.0212 MJ ME/d (SD = 0.0049, CI = 0.0007, n = 22 horses) for racehorses in active race training, a result 70% to 82% below the official guidance. The total mean energy expenditure for racehorses in active race training was 0.1943 MJ ME/kg/d (SD = 0.0177, CI = 0.0078, n = 20 horses 193 wk), 4% to 22% less than the official guidance. Horses actively racing had a 12% higher maintenance requirement than those in training but not yet racing (P = 0.01). The 2- and 3-yr-old horses did not gain weight during active race training, but grew slowly during breaks in training. This study explores the factors affecting energy balance in racehorses, and provides updated findings for their maintenance and training requirements.
© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.
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Publication Date: 2020-11-03 PubMed ID: 33367221PubMed Central: PMC7744979DOI: 10.1093/tas/txaa196Google 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 explores the energy needs of Thoroughbred racehorses in active training, finding that these horses have higher energy needs than previously suggested in guidance from countries like the United States, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. The study also discloses that the energy expended by the horses during exercise is significantly less than prior estimates.

Methodology

  • The study included 22 Thoroughbred racehorses in England which were observed over periods ranging between 6 to 15 weeks. These periods included phases of active race training as well as temporarily reduced training.
  • Researchers determined the horses’ energy intake by measuring their daily feed consumption.
  • The horses’ energy output was gauged using heart rate monitors during 730 training sessions. The relationship between heart rate and oxygen consumption was analyzed and the oxygen consumption was then converted into energy.
  • The field maintenance requirements, which represent the energy required for the basic upkeep of the horse, was calculated by subtracting the energy expended in training from the total energy the horse has consumed.

Findings

  • The mean field maintenance energy expenditure during active race training periods equated to 0.1731 megajoules of metabolizable energy per kilogram of body weight per day. This is 11% to 66% higher than what is suggested in official guidelines in places like the U.S., France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
  • The analysis of heart rate monitoring data showed the average energy expended for exercise of racehorses in active training was only 0.0212 MJ/day. This result is considerably lower (70% to 82%) than previous estimates from official guidance.
  • The total mean energy expenditure for these racehorses in active training was 0.1943 MJ/kg/day; 4% to 22% lower than the official guidance.
  • Racehorses that were actively racing exhibited a 12% higher maintenance requirement compared to horses in training but not yet racing.
  • The researchers noted that two and three year-old horses did not gain weight during the active training period, though they did slowly grow during breaks in training.

Conclusions

  • The research delivers important insights into the factors affecting the energy balance in racehorses as well as updated information on their maintenance and training requirements. This data can contribute to improving the care, feeding, and training of racehorses in the future.

Cite This Article

APA
Ebert M, Moore-Colyer MJS. (2020). The energy requirements of racehorses in training. Transl Anim Sci, 4(4), txaa196. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txaa196

Publication

Translational animal science
ISSN: 2573-2102
NlmUniqueID: 101738705
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 4
Issue: 4
Pages: txaa196

Researcher Affiliations

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

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