Cardiac, respiratory and thermoregulation parameters following graded exercises in Lipizzaner horses

Abstract

The sport results or exercise achievements of Lipizzaner horses are rarely considered, as their involvement in equestrian sports is rare. As a result, norms for evaluation of their fitness level during training or performance have not yet been determined. The aim of this study was to determine the basal values of various physiological parameters (heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), body and skin temperatures) and their acclimatisation to a graded exercise load. The study was performed with a group of 6 purebred Lipizzaner horses with an average age of 9 years. It consisted of two trials (spring, autumn) of exercise test, including lunging at a walk, trot and canter. The physiological values were measured before and after exercise, and were within the normal ranges for warm-blooded horses in both trials. A gradual increase in HR and significant positive correlations between HR and speed were determined in the Lipizzaners during the exercise tests in both trials, which was followed by a gradual increase in RR, rectal temperature and the skin temperature in various body regions. The time to reach resting HR after exercise was longer in spring than in autumn. Resting RRs and rectal temperatures were reached at the time to reach resting HR. Differences between the resting skin temperatures of various body regions were determined in both trials. Following the exercise test, the skin temperatures of all regions were significantly higher when compared to the resting values, and decreased thereafter during the recovery time in autumn, but remained almost unchanged in spring. The study contributes to knowledge about thermoregulation and the response of the cardiovascular and respiratory parameters of horses. The results are not only a presentation of physiological responses to graded exercise in Lipizzaner horses, but may be accepted as an important contribution to sports physiology and medical knowledge about horses in general, representing a basis for further research in the field of exercise tests and sports medicine.

Fluctuations of Physiological Variables during Conditioning of Lipizzan Fillies before Starting under Saddle

“…The walk speed was in line with the reference values for horses, the trot speed was in the lower range of the reference values for this gait and the canter speed was below the reference values [ 12 , 22 ]. Our previous study [ 19 ] on adult Lipizzan horses during lunging likewise demonstrated slower gaits than in horses during riding [ 23 , 24 ]. This could be a characteristic of Lipizzans or caused by the movement in a circle during lunging, which could have caused a less efficient combination of stride frequency and length than with a straightforward movement [ 12 ].…”

“…The reaction of HR to exercise is a function of work intensity and reflects the metabolic performance of horses. It is under the influence of various external and internal factors, including environmental conditions, fitness and health status of the horse [ 14 , 17 , 19 , 30 ]. The mean HRs in Lipizzan fillies BEx were above the physiological range for warm-blooded horses [ 12 , 19 , 26 , 28 , 31 ], with the highest value measured at ExT-1.…”

“…Heart rate (HR) was recorded telemetrically using a heart rate monitor consisting of a transmitter (Polar Equine H3 heart rate sensor belt set, Polar Electro, Kempele, Finland) and a receiver (Polar Equine V 800, Polar Electro, Kempele, Finland) installed as previously described [ 19 ]. The Polar Flow application (Polar Electro, Kempele, Finland) was used to display and analyze the recordings.…”

“…Scientific studies on the physical responses of young horses during initial equestrian training are limited [ 6 ], although they are known to be sensitive to exercise overload [ 17 , 18 ]. Our previous study showed the responses of cardiovascular, respiratory, and thermoregulatory parameters to graded exercises (i.e., lunging) in adult Lipizzan horses (Lipizzans), establishing a foundation for further research in the field of equine exercise testing and sports physiology [ 19 ]. The Lipizzan is one of the oldest European horse breeds; it is considered endangered due to the small population [ 20 ].…”

“…Lipizzan stallions are highly successful in classical dressage, but the popularity of the breed is also rising in modern equestrian sports, such as dressage and combined driving [ 20 ]. The physiological responses of Lipizzans to workloads are not sufficiently understood and the standards for evaluating their fitness during training or performance are inadequate [ 19 ]. The aim of the present study was to determine the baseline values of some physiological parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, and body surface temperature) and acclimatization to a graded training load in Lipizzan fillies during the initial phase of training.…”