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Cardiorespiratory parameters in draught horses before and after short term draught work pulling loads
R Pérez1, S E Recabarren, G Mora
1School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Concepción, Chillán, Chile.
Zentralblatt Fur Veterinarmedizin. Reihe A
|April 1, 1992
Summary
Cardiorespiratory responses in horses were measured during exercise with varying draught forces. Higher loads increased heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, with minimal impact on blood gases.
Area of Science:
- Equine physiology
- Exercise science
- Animal biomechanics
Background:
- Understanding the physiological demands on draught horses is crucial for optimizing their welfare and performance.
- Previous research has explored exercise responses, but the specific relationship between draught force and cardiorespiratory parameters requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between draught force and cardiorespiratory responses in horses.
- To quantify physiological changes (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood gases, pH, hemoglobin, temperature) under different draught loads.
Main Methods:
- Five draught horses were subjected to controlled exercise tests involving pulling loads of varying weights (946 kg, 1,979 kg, 2,994 kg) over 1,500 m.
- Measurements included heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), arterial and venous blood gases, pH, hemoglobin concentration, and temperature at rest, immediately post-exercise, and 30 min post-exercise.
- A hydraulic dynamometer measured draught force, and an odometer recorded distance.
Main Results:
- Draught force exhibited a linear relationship with load weight.
- Low and medium draught loads resulted in moderate increases in HR, RR, and temperature, with no significant changes in arterial blood gases or pH.
- High draught loads led to increased HR, RR, and temperature, with elevated venous PO2 and a slight increase in venous lactic acid, indicating some anaerobic metabolism without affecting blood pH.
- Increased metabolic demands correlated with higher arterial hemoglobin concentration and blood oxygen content.
Conclusions:
- Draught exercise elicits dose-dependent cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses in horses.
- Horses can tolerate moderate draught exercise with primarily aerobic metabolism, but high loads induce anaerobic contributions.
- Physiological monitoring is essential for assessing the impact of draught work on equine health and performance.