Observations on body weight and condition of horses in a 150-mile endurance ride

doi:10.1016/S0737-0806(06)81345-6

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science

Volume 12, Issue 5, September–October 1992, Pages 320-324

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0737-0806(06)81345-6 Get rights and content

Summary

Competitors in the 1990 Race of Champions (a 150-mile, 2-day endurance ride) were asked to participate in a study on body weight and condition of endurance horses. Prior to the race, the following information was collected: body weight, rider and tack weight, previous race record, hours and miles trained per week, body condition score, and rump fat thickness. When possible body weights were obtained at veterinary checks during the race. The majority of the horses in the race were of Arabian or part-Arabian breeding. Average age was 11 years. The average horse weighed 410 kg and carried 79.9 kg of weight (rider and tack). Mean condition score (1–9 scale) was 4.67 (n=57). Using rump fat thickness, mean body fat was estimated at 7.8%. Approximately 60% of the horses were eliminated during the race for injury, lameness, or failure to meet metabolic criteria. The most competitive horses (finishers in the top 7) tended to have lower condition scores (p<.05) and less rump fat (p<.l) than non-competitive horses eliminated for metabolic criteria. Horses with faster race times also tended to have won more "best condition" awards in past-performances (p<,05).

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A Descriptive Study of Training Methods for Fédération Equestre Internationale Endurance Horses in New Zealand
2020, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
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To date, these variables have only been qualitatively and cursorily presented in the literature in descriptive accounts of training, or as background to investigation of physiological adaptations to training. These accounts have suffered from a number of limitations; aggregation and general estimation of training measures [14–18], small numbers of horses [19–22], and measures for only a portion of a season [23–25]. Currently, there are no detailed, individual measures of endurance horse training that might enable an understanding of the balance between training volume, speed, and recovery, thereby enabling trainers to implement training practices that achieve optimal adaptation and avoid adverse horse welfare outcomes.
Training measures, particularly those that examine the interactions between training volume, speed, and recovery, can improve understanding of training practices that contribute to success and avoid adverse horse welfare outcomes in endurance competitions. This study describes the training of Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) 100–160 km level horses in New Zealand. A convenience sample of 16 participants and 25 horses were surveyed before commencement of training. Participants then reported daily data for an entire nine-month season of training and competition. Participants began their season with predetermined goals and individual training plans for each horse. They intended to use competitions for training. Competitions contributed a median of 44% [IQR, 36%–49%] of total accumulated distance (in training and competition) for each horse for the season, despite being only 11% (207/1,933) of all days worked. Most starts (80%) were in domestic-level (CEN) competition ≤80 km. Speed ranged from 2–18 km/hour on home training days to 6–18.5 km/hour in CEN competitions and 10.9–16.9 km/hour in FEI competitions. Horses were worked 34% [IQR, 21–38] of days in training, ranging from 12% to 55% for individual horses. The most common horse health problem was lameness, affecting 12/25 horses, for a median of 9 (range, 1–78) days. This study highlights the potential for CEN data as a resource to improve understanding of training and competition load, speed, and recovery and therefore reduce adverse horse welfare outcomes in FEI competitions.
Effects of training distance on feed intake, growth, body condition and muscle glycogen content in young Standardbred horses fed a forage-only diet
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This study examined feed intake, growth, body condition, muscle glycogen content and nutrition-related health in 16 Standardbred horses fed a high-energy, forage-only diet ad libitum and allocated to either a control training programme (C-group) or a training programme with the high-intensity training distance reduced by 30% (R-group), from January as 2-year olds until December as 3-year olds. Feed intake was recorded on 10 occasions during 3 consecutive days. Body weight was recorded once in a week and height, body condition score (BCS), rump fat thickness and thickness of the m. longissimus dorsi were measured at 7±3-week intervals throughout the study. Muscle biopsies of the m. gluteus medius were taken in December as 2-year olds and in November as 3-year olds and analysed for glycogen content. Nutrition-related health disorders were noted when they occurred. Horses consumed 1.7% to 2.6% dry matter of BW, corresponding to 19 to 28 MJ metabolisable energy/100 kg BW. There were no differences between training groups in feed intake or any of the body measurements. The pooled weekly BCS was maintained between 4.8 and 5.1 (root mean square error (RMSE)=0.4). Muscle glycogen content was 587 and 623 mmol/kg dry weight (RMSE=68) as 2- and 3-year olds, respectively, and there was no difference between training groups. When managed under normal conditions, no nutrition-related health disorders or stereotypic behaviours were observed. It was concluded that the training programme did not affect feed intake, growth, BCS or muscle glycogen content. In addition, the forage-only diet did not appear to prohibit muscle glycogen storage, growth or maintenance of body condition, and seemed to promote good nutrition-related health.
Increase of fat-free mass and low percentage of body fat in Brazilian sport horses training under tropical climate
2017, Livestock Science
Citation Excerpt :
This result was the lowest among the groups studied by the authors, who compared the winning horses with horses that did not complete the race because of an injury or lameness (7.1±0.54%) or metabolic disorders (9.34±1.66%) and horses that did not finish among the top 10 (15.8±1.4%). Given these results, it is notable that Brazilian sport horses training for and competing in eventing had mean percentages of body fat lower than those of all of the groups studied by Lawrence et al. (1992). In a study by Padilha et al. (2015), 4 and 5-year-old Brazilian sport horses training for and competing in eventing showed differences in body weight (486±40 and 506±21, respectively) and fat-free mass (461±35 kg and 480±190 kg, respectively).
This study aimed to determine the subcutaneous fat layer thickness, percentage of body fat, fat mass, and fat-free mass of Brazilian sport horses at different levels of training for and competing in eventing and the effects of a tropical climate in the body composition of athletic horses. The study included 17 Brazilian sport horses aged between 4 and 10 years. Group 1 included young horses aged from 4 to 6 years training for Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) one-star events, and group 2 comprised adult horses aged from 7 to 10 years in training for FEI two-star events. The training protocol comprised exercise for 5 days a week for 60 min, including flatwork, aerobic conditioning, and jumping, both track and natural obstacles. The equines were weighted, and rump fat layer was determined by measuring the thickness of subcutaneous adipose tissue at the region of the gluteus medius muscle using ultrasound. The ultrasound evaluation was performed at the end of the equestrian season, which lasted 9 months. An increase in the body weight, fat layer, percentage of body fat, fat mass, and fat-free mass was observed in group 2 compared with the overall group and group 1, although the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Despite the important increase in the percentage of body fat between young and adult horses, 4.87±1.22% and 5.64±1.90% found in group 1 and 2, respectively, it did not differ statistically (p=0.3775). This fact may contribute to a decline in their performance because fat can be a key source of energy. Lower mean values of all parameters were observed in group 1 than in group 2. In conclusion, Brazilian sport horses training for and competing in eventing under tropical conditions have the body composition accustomed for this equestrian discipline. Brazilian sport horses training for and competing in eventing have high values of fat-free mass and low percentage of body fat and fat mass, demonstrating the athletic capability of these horses. There were no significant changes in the body condition of young and adult Brazilian sport horses. A hot, humid environment led to an increase of weight and body condition.
Hematological and Blood Gas Parameters' Response to Treadmill Exercise Test in Eventing Horses Fed Different Protein Levels
2014, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
The aim of this study was to investigate the responses to exercise in athletic horses fed different protein levels. Twenty-four Brazilian Sport Horses (body weight [BW] between 432 and 560 kg and body condition score [BCS] 5.0–5.5) undergoing eventing training were used. The experiment was a randomized design with four treatments (diets) and two exercise tests. Diets were composed of 7.5%, 9.0%, 11.0%, and 13.0% crude protein. The exercise tests consisted of a warm-up and galloping from 6.0 m/s with speed increases every 1 minute until 10 m/s. Venous blood samples were collected at preprandial time, before, during, and after the exercise tests, and at the recovery time. Blood samples were analyzed for hematocrit, lactate, glucose, total plasma protein, serum aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, urea, uric acid, creatinine, serum Cl⁻, and venous blood gas. The results were analyzed using a split-plot design, and regression analyses were performed. There were no differences in BW and BCS. The protein levels did not affect the variables VL₂, VL_4, V₁₅₀, and V₂₀₀. Serum urea and uric acid concentrations were affected by protein diet levels. After the exercise tests, the blood pH, acid–base, and electrolyte balance of the horses were not affected by the protein of the diets. The protein diet levels did not affect the horses' performance variables. At the same time, high protein concentrations in the diet can alter the acid–base balance in athletic horses and should be used with caution.
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2014, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
Citation Excerpt :
This extensive reporting of hacking-out was in contrast to the more sporadic use of hacking-out reported from European show jumping yards [12]. In endurance horses and racehorses, a negative association has been reported between BCS and performance [22,23], and breed has been reported to influence the allocation of BCS [24]. Based on this, there was an expectation for event horses to have a lower current and preferred BCS given the sport demands and the predominance of Thoroughbred or Thoroughbred-type horses in eventing.
Data on the feeding, management, and training schedules during the week before the competition were collected via a face-to-face survey of riders competing in dressage, show jumping, or eventing at 1* and 3* level competitions. Data were collected using a pro forma recording sheet, and measurements of horse height, weight, and body condition score (BCS) were also obtained. A total of 158 of 582 riders (and horses) were surveyed, providing a response rate of 27%. The mean height, weight, and median BCS of the horses were 162 ± 1 cm, 533 ± 5 kg, and 6 (interquartile range [IQR], 5–7), respectively. The majority of horses were at pasture, most (68%, 107 of 158) 24 hr/d and fed supplementary feed either once (42%, 67 of 158) or twice daily (54%, 86 of 158). The supplementary feed was predominately a commercial premix feed (90%, 142 of 157) with additional alfalfa chaff or ensiled chopped alfalfa. The horses were offered approximately 60 MJ digestible energy (DE)/d (33–86 MJ DE/d) from supplementary feed. The horses worked for a median of 6 d/wk (IQR, 5–6 d/wk) with one rest day. The median total time trained during the week was 200 minutes (135–265 minutes), which consisted of eight separate training activities. There was no difference in time spent on different activities between the disciplines. Individual training activities were 30–40 minutes, and the median number of competitions per month was 2 (IQR, 2–3). Training workload and pattern of work were similar to reports from other countries, with the exception that many riders regularly added a “hack out” after training.
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¹: Kerttucky Equine Research, Versailles, Kentucky

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Observations on body weight and condition of horses in a 150-mile endurance ride

Summary

J Nutr

Biochemical changes in horses during a 50-mile endurance ride

Vet Rec

Plasma and sweat electrolyte concentrations in the horse during long distance exercise

Equine Vet J

Alterations in blood, sweat, urine and muscle composition during prolonged exercise in the home

Vet Rec

Nutritional management of homes competing in 160 Km races.

Cornel/Vet

Body composition in sport and exercise: directions for future research.

Body composition aerobic capacity, ventilatory threshold and food intake in different sports

Annals Sports Med