Workload of official contests, net cost of transport, and metabolic power of Mangalarga Marchador horses of marcha batida or picada gaits.

This study examines the heart rates, metabolic power, and transport costs of Mangalarga Marchador horses performing two different types of gaits. The research found that both groups of horses displayed similar heart rates, but the group moving in a particular gait, known as Marcha Picada, demonstrated higher transport costs and metabolic power.

Research Methodology

• The study involved 22 Mangalarga Marchador horses who were put through three phases of testing: a maximum effort test, an official marcha contest, and a standardized marcha test.
• In the maximum effort test, heart rates of 19 horses were studied.
• For the official marcha contest, 13 horses’ heart rates were monitored over four stages: marcha, walk, functional trial, and rest. The average heart rates at each stage of the contest were compared to determine their relative intensity.
• In the standardized marcha test, heart rates, cost of transport, and metabolic power of 14 horses were observed.
• Blood samples were collected throughout to evaluate lactate concentration, an important indicator of physical exertion.

Findings

• The average heart rates measured were 211 beats per minute (bpm) for the Marcha Batida group and 214 bpm for the Marcha Picada group, showing no statistically significant difference.
• Regardless of the gait style, lactate concentration increased following the maximum effort test, suggesting that horses from both groups had similar physical fitness levels.
• The study found differences in the perceived intensity of the heart rate during different stages of the official marcha contest, excluding the stages of walking and standing, which yielded similar results.
• The Marcha Picada group showed greater cost of transport and metabolic power, indicating that this gait may be more energetically demanding than the Marcha Batida gait.

Conclusion

• The researchers concluded that the average heart rate for Mangalarga Marchador horses, regardless of the gait style, is approximately 212 bpm.
• The official marcha contest is characterized as a process of interrupted, submaximal effort for this breed of horses.
• They also suggest that the Marcha Batida gait could be more energetically efficient compared to the Marcha Picada gait.