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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(7); 2022; doi: 10.3390/ani11072022

Thermographic Analysis of the Metacarpal and Metatarsal Areas in Jumping Sport Horses and Leisure Horses in Response to Warm-Up Duration.

Abstract: This study aimed to assess the impact of various types of warm-up on the metacarpal and metatarsal surface temperature in jumping sport horses in comparison to leisure horses, which work usually less intensively. Six clinically healthy sport geldings, contestants in showjumping competitions, and six geldings used for leisure riding were included in the study. The experiment was conducted for four consecutive days, during which the horses were warmed up by walking and trotting for various durations. Images were taken with a FLUKE Ti9 thermal imager to determine the resting, post-effort, and recovery temperature of the dorsal and plantar surface of the metacarpus and metatarsus of the four limbs. The obtained data were analysed with SmartView 4.1. software. The increase of measured rectal and surface temperatures was proportional to the warm-up duration. The surface temperature increase in the distal limb parts in jumping sport horses was greater than in horses used for leisure. The plantar surface was also warmer than the dorsal surface of the metacarpal/metatarsal areas, with a forelimb being warmer than a hind limb. Elevated temperatures after warm-up persist for 30 min in the recovery period, especially in jumping sport horses compared to leisure horses. Thus, the warming up effect is achieved earlier and lasts longer in heavily trained horses than in non-performance horses.
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Publication Date: 2021-07-06 PubMed ID: 34359150PubMed Central: PMC8300377DOI: 10.3390/ani11072022Google 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.

This study investigates how different warm-up durations influence the surface temperature of specific limb areas in jumping sport horses relative to leisure horses. Notably, the study found that more rigorous warm-ups led to more substantial temperature increases in these areas, especially for horses trained intensely for jumping sports compared to those used primarily for casual riding.

Research Objectives

  • The research was conducted with the aim of analysing how varying durations and intensity of warm-ups influence the surface temperature of metacarpal and metatarsal areas in horses. This was done through a comparison of jumping sport horses, conditioned for high-intensity performance in sporting competitions, and leisure horses usually engaged in less strenuous activities.

Research Methodology

  • The study involved twelve horses in total, consisting of six sport geldings that participate in jumping competitions and six geldings mainly used for leisure riding.
  • The experiment was conducted over four consecutive days. The horses were warmed up through differing durations of walking and trotting.
  • Imaging of the horses’ limbs was done using a FLUKE Ti9 thermal imager. Specifically, the temperature was measured before workout (resting), after the workout (post-effort), and during a recovery period, across the dorsal and plantar surfaces of the metacarpus and metatarsus of the four limbs.
  • The analysis of the obtained data was processed with the aid of SmartView 4.1. software.

Research Findings

  • The result showed a proportionate increase of the measured rectal and surface temperatures relative to the duration of the warm-up. Hence, a longer warm-up led to increased temperatures.
  • Significantly, the study revealed a greater surface temperature increase on the distal limb parts in sport horses as compared to leisure horses. This continues to support that higher-intensity workouts lead to higher body temperature increases.
  • The plantar surface exhibited higher temperatures as compared to the dorsal surface of the metacarpal and metatarsal areas, with the forelimbs being warmer than the hind limbs.
  • Interestingly, the elevated temperatures persisted for around 30 minutes during the recovery period, with sport horses showing higher temperatures than leisure horses. This suggests that the warm-up effect is achieved more quickly and lasts longer in intensively trained horses than in non-performance horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Janczarek I, Kędzierski W, Tkaczyk E, Kaczmarek B, Łuszczyński J, Mucha K. (2021). Thermographic Analysis of the Metacarpal and Metatarsal Areas in Jumping Sport Horses and Leisure Horses in Response to Warm-Up Duration. Animals (Basel), 11(7), 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11072022

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 7
PII: 2022

Researcher Affiliations

Janczarek, Iwona
  • Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, ul. Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
Kędzierski, Witold
  • Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, ul. Akademicka 12, 20-033 Lublin, Poland.
Tkaczyk, Ewelina
  • Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, ul. Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
Kaczmarek, Beata
  • Department and Clinic of Animal Internal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, ul. Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
Łuszczyński, Jarosław
  • Department of Genetics, Animal Breeding and Ethology, Agricultural University, Al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Cracow, Poland.
Mucha, Karolina
  • Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, ul. Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest associated with this manuscript.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Stachurska A, Kędzierski W, Kaczmarek B, Wiśniewska A, Żylińska B, Janczarek I. Variation of Physiological and Behavioural Parameters during the Oestrous Cycle in Mares. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jan 6;13(2).
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  2. Frippiat T, Votion DM. Warm-Up Strategies and Effects on Performance in Racing Horses and Sport Horses Competing in Olympic Disciplines. Animals (Basel) 2024 Mar 19;14(6).
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