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.

Warm-Up Strategies and Effects on Performance in Racing Horses and Sport Horses Competing in Olympic Disciplines

“…Two studies focused on the effects of warm-up on thermoregulation in sport horses competing in Olympic disciplines [ 41 , 42 ] and one study on Mangalarga Marchador horses [ 40 ]. Buchner et al [ 41 ] showed no effect for a 10 min whole-body vibration warm-up or two exercising warm-up regimens (10 min walk, or 8 min walk, and 1 min trot, respectively) on core temperatures in 10 horses.…”

“…In another study, the effects of four warm-up regimens of increasing duration (10 min walk, 5, 10, 15, or 20 min trot, and 5 min walk) on body and surface temperatures were observed in 12 Warmblood horses (6 leisure horses and 6 jumping sport horses) [ 42 ]. In all horses, the rectal temperature increased after each type of warm-up and was higher after the longest warm-up compared to other warm-up durations.…”

“…Of eight studies on equine thermoregulation included in the present review, seven demonstrated an increase in core temperature (i.e., blood or muscle temperature) after different regimens of warm-up in racing and sport horses [ 34 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 42 ]. One study showed no effect of warm-up on core temperature [ 41 ], but this study involved relatively low intensities of warm-up regimens, which could explain the conflicting finding.…”

“…An increased proportion of the canter was generally observed during the warm-up of the elite compared to the non-elite dressage horses, which performed more advanced movements than non-elite horses [ 47 , 50 ]. The horse’s level of training could also influence the effects of a warm-up, as the effect of warm-up on temperature was achieved earlier and lasted longer in heavily trained horses compared to non-performance horses [ 42 ].…”