Young Friesian horses show familial aggregation in fitness response to a 7-week performance test.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to monitor the fitness level of young Friesian horses and to assess whether fitness data are predictive for final performance score and whether familial aggregation of response to training could be detected. Sixty-six young Friesian horses, the offspring of six different stallions (A, B, C, D, E and F), underwent a 7-week performance test. The horses were given a performance score for their ability for dressage (in weeks 5 and 7; 0-110 points) and were evaluated for fitness using standardised exercise tests (SETs) at the beginning (week 2, SET-I) and the end (week 6, SET-II) of the period. Heart rate (HR, beats/min) was measured in both SETs, and plasma lactate concentration (LA, mmol/L) was measured only in SET-II. Fitness of the horses improved moderately but significantly between SET-I and SET-II (P=0.015). There was a large heterogeneity in responsiveness to training; some horses were high responders, whereas others were non- or low responders. There was a familial aggregation of HR canter-1 response to training (P=0.039), while the HR of stallion C's offspring decreased significantly more than those of stallions A (P=0.09), D (P=0.013) and F (P=0.009). Horses that were reluctant to exercise did not differ in HR or LA concentrations compared to those that completed the SET, which may have been a sign of overreaching. HR had no predictive value for the performance score, but horses that did not reach the anaerobic threshold in SET-II scored significantly better (73.8 ± 5.6 points) than horses that did not (69.9 ± 5.9 points, P=0.025). The findings demonstrate for the first time in the horse a familial aggregation of HR response to training, as has been reported previously in humans. Familial aggregation suggests a genetic influence on the effect of training on fitness in horses. HR could not predict final performance score, but LA concentrations during SET-II were predictive.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2013-08-22 PubMed ID: 23973160DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.07.023Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study investigates the fitness response of young Friesian horses to a 7-week performance test, uncovering familial traits in response to training and observing a possible genetic link to the horses’ fitness levels. Interestingly, it is also found that the lactate concentration in the horses’ plasma, not heart rate, can be predictive of their final performance score.
Objective and Methodology
- The research aims to track the fitness levels of young Friesian horses during a 7-week performance test, investigating if fitness metrics can predict their final performance and if there’s familial aggregation in their responses to training.
- Sixty-six horses from six different stallions underwent the test. The horses were rated for their dressage ability and were put through standardized exercise tests (SETs) at two different points (beginning and end) during the testing period.
- Heart rate (HR) and plasma lactate concentration (LA) were monitored during the SETs, though LA recording was only done in the final SET.
Findings and Conclusions
- Results showed a significant but moderate improvement in the horses’ fitness between the two SETs.
- A considerable variation in response to training was noted among the horses; while some were “high responders”, others were “non- or low responders”.
- Familial aggregation was found in the horses’ HR response to training. Specifically, offspring of one stallion (C) showed significantly more HR decrease than those of three other stallions (A, D, F).
- Horses that were resistant to performing exercises didn’t demonstrate noticeable difference in HR or LA compared to cooperative horses; it could signify a state of overreaching.
- Although HR had no correlation with the final performance score, the study found a significant link between LA readings and the score — horses that didn’t hit the anaerobic threshold in the final SET scored better.
- This study, for the first time in horses, points out familial aggregation of HR response to training, mirroring previously reported observations in humans. It suggests the potential influence of genetics on horses’ fitness response to training.
- Despite HR not having a predictive value for performance score, it appears that LA concentrations during SET-II could be predictive.
Cite This Article
APA
Munsters CC, van den Broek J, van Weeren R, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM.
(2013).
Young Friesian horses show familial aggregation in fitness response to a 7-week performance test.
Vet J, 198(1), 193-199.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.07.023 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, NL 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; Moxie Sport Analysis and Coaching, Raam 107, 5403 TH Uden, The Netherlands. Electronic address: carolien@munsters.nl.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Female
- Heart Rate
- Horses / genetics
- Horses / physiology
- Lactates / blood
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Siegers E, van Wijk E, van den Broek J, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan M, Munsters C. Longitudinal Training and Workload Assessment in Young Friesian Stallions in Relation to Fitness: Part 1. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 16;13(4).
- Siegers E, van den Broek J, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan M, Munsters C. Longitudinal Training and Workload Assessment in Young Friesian Stallions in Relation to Fitness, Part 2-An Adapted Training Program. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 14;13(4).
- Martins JN, Silva SR. Use of Infrared Thermography to Assess Body Temperature as a Physiological Stress Indicator in Horses during Ridden and Lunging Sessions. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 23;12(23).
- Vernemmen I, Vera L, Van Steenkiste G, van Loon G, Decloedt A. Reference values for 2-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography in Friesian and Warmblood horses. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Nov;34(6):2701-2709.
- de Bruijn CM, Houterman W, Ploeg M, Ducro B, Boshuizen B, Goethals K, Verdegaal EL, Delesalle C. Monitoring training response in young Friesian dressage horses using two different standardised exercise tests (SETs). BMC Vet Res 2017 Feb 14;13(1):49.
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