The welfare of young Polish Konik horses subjected to agricultural workload.

This study looked at how young Polish Konik horses adapted to draft work after being born in a forest reserve. The researchers measured how their bodies responded to the work and found that while their responses were higher than those of adult horses, they were within the range considered normal for young working horses.

Overview of the Research

• The study aimed to evaluate how young Polish Konik horses, who are born and initially raised in a forest reserve, adapt to and tolerate being put to work in a draft setting, typically in the context of an agricultural workload.
• Two groups of horses were studied, the first consisting of six 3- to 4-year-old colts and the second encompassing six 7- to 13-year-old stallions. This allowed for a comparative analysis between the younger and more mature subjects.

Methodology of the Research

• Physiological parameters were observed to assess the horses’ response to draft work, using biomedical techniques such as heart rate registration and blood analysis.
• The variables evaluated included heart rate, blood lactic acid levels, and plasma concentrations of glucose, triacylglycerols, uric acid, total protein, and cortisol, in addition to the enzymatic activities of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase.

Key Findings and their Significance

• The study noted that younger horses (the colts) showed a significantly higher mean work response in terms of heart rate compared to the older stallions. The mean heart rates for the colts and stallions were 141 ± 19.3 bpm and 124 ± 14.4 bpm respectively.
• The blood lactic acid levels of the colts after physical exertion were also found to be significantly higher than those of the adult stallions.
• This higher stress response in the young horses as compared to the adult horses might initially indicate excessive strain. However, these increases did not exceed the usual biological response ranges for young working horses, suggesting that the workload was within their capability.
• Therefore, it was concluded that future Polish Konik colts being moved from the forest reserves to the stable breeding systems where they undertake draft work will be able to tolerate the workload typically assigned to them, as it will not be beyond their physiological capabilities.