The Welfare of Horses Competing in Three-Barrel Race Events Is Shown to Be Not Inhibited by Short Intervals between Starts.

Equestrian sports require precise animal welfare and health evaluations. To test the hypothesis that horses maintain their welfare when subjected to two three-barrel (3TB) races with 2 min intervals, an experiment was designed to evaluate their surface temperature using infrared thermography (IRT) in regions of interest (barrel, flank, neck, jaw, corner of the mouth, and ocular caruncle) and also measure blood biomarkers (hemogram, total plasma protein, fibrinogen, urea, creatinine, GGT, CK, cortisol, IL-6, and IL-1ß). Ten Quarter Horses were monitored through thermography (pre-race, +1, +4, and +24 h post-race) and blood sampling (pre-race, +1, +4, and +24 h post-race). ANOVA and Tukey test at 5% were used. IRT in six regions of interest (Left/Right-barrel, flank, neck muscles) increased at +, with no differences between values recorded at +1 and +4 when compared to those measured pre-race (p > 0.05). Plasma protein, RBC count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, WBC count, neutrophils, and lymphocytes (p < 0.05) increased immediately after the races, with recovery at +1 h. Other biomarkers did not change, including cortisol, IL-6, and IL-1ß (p > 0.05). Results indicate that well-conditioned 3TB horses subjected to two races at short intervals do not show changes that could be related to impaired health or welfare.

Training Effects on the Stress Predictors for Young Lusitano Horses Used in Dressage.

The purpose of this study was to investigate stressful responses during a 6-week training protocol in young Lusitano horses used for dressage. The hypothesis was that the proposed training protocol would improve fitness and ensure the welfare of the animals by reducing stress predictors. Nine 4-year-old horses were evaluated before (M1) and six weeks after (M2) beginning a training protocol. The training program was performed six times per week and included 40−80 min of individually intensity-adjusted preparatory exercises for dressage. For both moments, the horses were examined before (T0) and after (T1) dressage simulation tests (DST), and at 30 (T2) and 240 min (T3) during the recovery period. Blood samples were taken to determine the horses' cortisol levels, total WBC, and neutrophil and lymphocyte counts. All variables were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests, with p ≤ 0.05. After training, there was a significant reduction in cortisol (p = 0.0133), HR (p = 0.0283), total WBC (p < 0.0001), and neutrophil (p < 0.0001) and lymphocyte (p = 0.0341) counts. Other findings included an increase in HRV parameters related to a cardiac vagal modulation. In conclusion, the chosen training protocol led to better fitness as the horses worked more intensively with lower cardiovascular requirements, and they showed blunted cortisol responses at M2. Such data can be used to evaluate performance, but also to predict the welfare of athletic horses.

Effects of the Ingestion of Ripe Mangoes on the Squamous Gastric Region in the Horse.

Erosions and gastric ulcers may be present in horses at any age and under different conditions of rearing and handling. In tropical regions, horses can feed on fruits rich in soluble carbohydrates, such as mangoes, but little is known about how these foods interact with their digestive systems. To test the hypothesis that the ingestion of ripe mangoes with peels could cause disturbances in the digestive processes of horses, an experiment was developed to monitor animals that had free access to ripe mangoes in their pasture areas. Horses (purebred Arabians, n = 5; ~340 kg, ~13 years) were evaluated by video gastroscopy and blood analysis. A controlled postprandial glucose curve for mango intake was also performed. Gastroscopies were performed at intervals of 15 days, starting in December, just before the beginning of the harvest, until the beginning of February, and days after the end of the harvest. Blood collection was performed on the same day between November and February for blood analysis. The results were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's test, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Gastroscopies indicated that four out of five horses had erosions and ulcers in the squamous region between 15 and 30 days after the start of the season. Biochemical tests indicated a reduction in plasma proteins during the harvest period, and the postprandial glucose curve showed concentrations above 200 mg/dL between 30 and 180 min after ingestion of 5.37 kg mangoes. The animals were not treated and recovered after 15 days of harvest and without ripe mangoes on the ground. It is concluded that the indiscriminate ingestion of mangoes favors the appearance of lesions in the gastric squamous region, to varying degrees, and that animals recover naturally after an average of 15 days from the end of the season when the animals return to their regular feeding with hay and grass pasture.

How Much Energy Vaquejada Horses Spend in a Field Simulation Test?

Vaquejada is a high-intensity and short-duration exercise in which helper horses (HH) are responsible to keep a bull running in a line while pull horses (PH) work to put the bull down after 100 m of running. The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare energy expenditures (EE), transport costs (COT) and metabolic energy requirements (Pmet) of horses used in Vaquejada. Thus, eight Quarter Horses, in randomly formed pairs, performed a vaquejada simulation test (VST), which consisted of three races on a sand track (130-150 m), with a 5-min interval between them. All horses used an integrated heart rate (HR) and GPS monitoring system (V800, Polar Electro) and, from these data, EE, COT and Pmet were calculated using the formulas: EE (J/kg/min) = 0.0566 × HR1.9955, COT = (HR-35)/kg/m × 103 and Pmet = (HR-35)/min/kg. Blood samples were collected for lactate analysis at rest, immediately after the first, second and third race and after 30 min of recovery. Data obtained were submitted to one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (p ≤ 0.05). In VST, HH had higher EE and higher HR at trot; while PH presented higher EE and HR at canter. Finally, considering total VST, PH had higher EE and COT, while HH had higher Pmet. Lactate was higher in PH. Despite practicing the same sport, PH and HH should be considered distinct athletes, and these must be considered to set up appropriate physical and nutritional programs, which will lead to better performance and guarantees of well-being.

Is There an Ideal Rest Interval Between Races During Vaquejada in Which It Would Be Possible to Associate Best Performance and Welfare?

Vaquejada is an important Brazilian equine discipline. Understanding physiological adaptations of these athletes is crucial to improve properly performance, guaranteeing welfare. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of three vaquejada simulation tests (VST) on physiological parameters of horses and standardize a possible rest interval between races. Ten clinically healthy Quarter horses, 8.9 ± 4.3 year-old and 441.3 ± 25.0 kg, executed three VST, 5 days apart from each other. Vaquejada simulation tests consisted of two horses, a puller, and a helper, running with a bull on a soft sand track in which they must put the bull down. On M1, they ran three times with a 5-min rest between races; on M2, with a 10-min rest; and M3, with a 15-min rest. Clinical evaluation and blood sampling were made in all VST, before (T0), immediately after first run (T1), second run (T2), third run (T3) and at 30 minutes (T4), and 4 hours (T5) of recovery. Variables were statistically analyzed with a bifactorial comparison (P < .05). Exercise increased heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, body temperature (BT), lactate, triglycerides, packed cell volume, RBC, and hemoglobin concentration, with higher values in pull horses due to a more intense exercise. With 15-min of rest interval, helper horses showed lower values of glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, BT, and higher values of triglycerides, also working at the same speed and distance with a lower HRmax and HRmed. Pull and helper horses had shown modifications of biomarkers. Furthermore, 15-min rest interval between races improved performance of helper horses as they used properly energy sources and cardiovascular function, respecting precepts of welfare.

Atividade sérica das enzimas musculares em muares submetidos à prova de resistência de 100 km / Serum activity of muscular enzymes in mules after a 100 km endurance exercise

O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a influência do exercício físico de intensidade submáxima sobre as concentrações séricas de aspartato aminotransferase (AST), creatinoquinase (CK) e lactato-desidrogenase (LDH) em muares durante prova de enduro de 100 km realizada no estado do Espírito Santo. Para tal foram obtidas amostras de soro de 20 muares em três momentos assim definidos: no repouso (T0); após 54 km de percurso (T1); após 80 km de percurso (T2); e após 100 km de percurso (T3). As referidas amostras foram encaminhadas ao Laboratório Clínico Veterinário (CEMEVES) para processamento. Na avaliação da atividade sérica de AST, os valores médios registrados nos momentos T0, T1, T2 e T3 foram, respectivamente, de 341,7±73,9 UI/L, 403,1±78,4 UI/L, 410,5±70,5 UI/L e 426,5±66,7 UI/L. Na avaliação da atividade sérica da LDH, os valores médios registrados foram de 423,1±101,8 UI/L, 534,4±131,8 UI/L, 628,5±100,6 UI/L e 823,4±273,2 UI/L, respectivamente, nos momentos T0, T1, T2 e T3. Por fim, na avaliação da atividade sérica da CK os valores de mediana foram de 231,3 UI/L, 310,6 UI/L, 253,2 UI/L e 476,0 UI/L, respectivamente nos momentos T0, T1, T2 e T3. A análise dos resultados demonstrou que o exercício físico imposto levou ao aumento significativo das atividades séricas de AST e LDH e não alterou as concentrações séricas de CK.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of an exercise of submaximal intensity on serum concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in mules during endurance exercise in Espirito Santo, Brazil. Serum samples were obtained from 20 mules in four different moments: at rest (T0); after 54 km (T1); after 80 km (T2); and after 100 km (T3). Samples were analyzed at Laboratório Clínico Veterinário (CEMEVES). Serum AST analysis revealed mean values of 341.7±73.9 UI/L, 403.1±78.4 UI/L, 410.5±70.5 UI/L and 426.5±66.7 UI/L, respectively at moments T0, T1, T2 and T3. LDH mean values recorded in T0, T1, T2 and T3 were, respectively, 423.1±101.8 UI/L, 534.4±131.8 UI/L, 628.5±100.6 UI/L and 823.4±273.2 UI/L. Finally, when evaluating CK, median values recorded were 231.3 UI/L, 310.6 UI/L, 253.2 UI/L and 476.0 UI/L, respectively on the moments T0, T1, T2 and T3. Results showed that the physical exercise imposed leaded to significantly increase in serum AST and LDH and did not change serum CK.

Glicemia e concentrações séricas de insulina, triglicérides e cortisol em equinos da raça Mangalarga Marchador após exercício físico / Glycemia and serum concentrations of insuline, triglycerides and cortisol in Mangalarga Marchador horses after physical exercise

O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a influência do exercício físico de intensidade submáxima (provas de marcha) sobre as variáveis bioquímicas sanguíneas usadas na avaliação do metabolismo energético em equinos da raça Mangalarga Marchador criados no Estado do Espírito Santo. Para tal foram obtidas amostras de soro e plasma de 15 equinos, da raça Mangalarga Marchador, em quatro momentos assim definidos: antes (T0) e com 5 minutos (T1), 30 minutos (T2) e 2 horas (T3) após o término do exercício. A análise dos resultados demonstrou a não influência do exercício físico imposto sobre a glicose plasmática, com valores médios de 117,1±35,8mg/dL, 122,6±59,6mg/dL, 124,8± 48,6mg/dL e 112,9±49,1mg/dL, e sobre a insulina sérica, com valores de mediana de 6,50mUI/mL, 2,00mUI/mL, 5,85mUI/mL e 11,60mUI/mL, respectivamente, nos tempos T0, T1, T2 e T3. De forma oposta, foi possível observar uma influência significativa sobre triglicérides séricos, com valores médios de 25,4±14,9mg/dL, 42,3±17,8mg/dL, 31,4±17,7mg/dL e 25,1±15,1mg/dL, e sobre o cortisol sérico, com valores médios de 7,46±4,37mg/dL, 12,45±3,08mg/dL, 11,40±2,52mg/dL e 6,89±1,78mg/dL, respectivamente nos tempos T0, T1, T2 e T3. A interpretação destes resultados permitiu concluir que a marcha elevou as concentrações séricas de triglicérides e cortisol. Também foi possível destacar que, por tais valores encontrarem-se dentro de intervalos fisiológicos, os equinos usados estavam aptos ao nível de exercício físico imposto na ocasião.

The aim of this study was evaluate the influence of physical exercise of submaximal intensity (marcha gait) on biochemical variables used for the evaluation of energetic metabolism in Mangalarga Marchador horses trained in Espirito Santo, Brazil. Serum and plasma samples were obtained from 15 horses in four different moments: before (T0), 5 minutes (T1), 30 minutes (T2) and 2 hours (T3) after the exercise. Results showed that the imposed exercise did not influence plasmatic glucose, with mean values of 117.1±5.8g/dL, 122.6±59.6mg/dL, 124.8±48.6mg/dL and 112.9±49.1mg/dL, and serum insuline, with median values of 6.50mUI/mL, 2.00mUI/mL, 5.85mUI/mL and 11.60mUI/mL, respectively on the moments T0, T1, T2 and T3. Differently, it was possible to observe a positive influence of the exercise over serum triglycerides, with mean values of 25.4±14.9mg/dL, 42.3±17.8mg/dL, 31.4±17.7mg/dL and 25.1±15.1mg/dL, and serum cortisol, with mean values of 7.46±4.37mg/dL, 12.45±3.08mg/dL, 11.40±2.52mg/dL and 6.89±1.78mg/dL, respectively on the moments T0, T1, T2 and T3. It was possible to conclude that the marcha gait leaded to an elevation of serum triglycerides and cortisol levels. Also, as the values found were within reference levels, it was possible to conclude that the horses were used to this physical activity imposed on the occasion.

Lactacidemia e concentrações séricas de aspartato aminotransferase e creatinoquinase em equinos da raça quarto de milha usados em provas de laço em dupla / Influence of physical exercise on serum activities of AST and CK and plasma concentration of lactate in quarter horses submitted to team roping

O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a influência do exercício físico de alta intensidade e curta duração (provas de laço em dupla) sobre a lactacidemia e as concentrações séricas de aspartato aminotransferase (AST) e creatinoquinase (CK) em equinos durante competição realizada no estado do Espírito Santo. Para tal foram obtidas amostras de soro e plasma de 20 equinos, da raça Quarto de Milha ou mestiços, em três momentos assim definidos: no repouso, uma semana antes da prova atlética, já com o animal em treinamento (T0); antes da prova atlética (T1) e imediatamente após o término da mesma (T2). As referidas amostras foram encaminhadas ao Laboratório Clínico do Centro Universitário Vila Velha (UVV) para as análises. Na avaliação da lactacidemia, os resultados registrados nos momentos T0, T1 e T2 foram, respectivamente, de 0,49±0,24mmol/L, 0,93±0,16mmol/L e 9,86±2,09mmol/L. Na avaliação da atividade sérica de AST, os resultados registrados nos momentos T0, T1e T2 foram, respectivamente, de 189,1±43,6 UI/L, 210,2±46,7 UI/L e 173,1±33,5 UI/L. Por fim, a avaliação da atividade sérica da CK nos momentos T0,T1 e T2 foram,respectivamente, de 110,9±35,2 UI/L, 51,8±15,4 UI/L e 88,2±33,5 UI/L. A análise dos resultados demonstrou que o exercício físico imposto levou ao aumento significativo de lactato plasmático e CK sérica e não alterou o AST sérico e que a interpretação destes resultados permitiu concluir que os equinos usados estavam aptos ao nível de exercício físico imposto.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of high intensity and short duration physical exercise (roping team competition) on plasma lactate and serum AST and CK concentrations in horses during competition at Espírito Santo state, Brazil. Blood samples were obtained from 20 Quarter Horses, or cross-bred, in three moments: (1) at rest, one week before the competition, with the animals being trained, (2) just before the competition, and (3) immediately after the exercise. The samples were sent to Laboratório Clínico do Centro Universitário Vila Velha for analysis. Plasma lactate concentrations were 0.49±0.24mmol/L, 0.93±0.16mmol/L e 9.86±2.09mmol/L, respectively, on the moments rest and immediately before and after the exercise. Serum concentrations of AST were 189.1±43.6 IU/L, 210.2±46.7 IU/L e 173.1±33.5 IU/L, respectively, on the moments rest and immediately before and after the exercise. Finally, serum concentrations of CK were 110.9±35.2 IU/L, 51.8±15.4 IU/L and 88.2±33.5 IU/L, respectively, on the moments rest and immediately before and after the exercise. Results showed that the imposed physical exercise leaded to a significant elevation of plasma lactate and serum CK without alteration on AST. It was possible to conclude that horses were adapted to the level of exercise performed.