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Should equine athletes commence training during skeletal development?: changes in tendon matrix associated with
R K Smith1, H Birch, J Patterson-Kane
1Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Herts, UK.
Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement
|February 5, 2000
Summary
Early conditioning and racing of young horses may reduce tendon injuries. Immature equine tendons respond better to exercise than mature ones, suggesting earlier training is beneficial.
Area of Science:
- Equine Sports Medicine
- Tendon Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Tendon injuries are a major cause of wastage in equine athletes.
- Racing young horses (2 years) is contentious due to injury risks.
- Current training practices may not optimize tendon health and welfare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of age, function, and exercise on equine tendon properties.
- To investigate if early conditioning influences tendon development and injury resilience.
- To provide evidence for adjusting the timing of equine athletic training.
Main Methods:
- Examination of tendons from Thoroughbreds, foals, working horses, and wild horses.
- Assessment of gross mechanical properties, collagen fibril crimp, diameter, and molecular composition.
- Analysis of regional differences in tendon structure and composition based on age and exercise.
Main Results:
- Tendon mechanical properties showed high variance but significant regional differences with age and exercise.
- Collagen fibril crimp and length reduced in the central core with age and exercise.
- Molecular changes (Type III collagen, GAGs, COMP) occurred with long-term exercise and age, particularly in the tendon center.
Conclusions:
- Immature equine tendons may adapt more effectively to exercise than mature tendons.
- Early, appropriate exercise might lead to lower injury incidence in young horses.
- Findings support earlier conditioning and racing of younger equine athletes to potentially minimize injuries.