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Force, speed, and oxygen consumption in thoroughbred and draft horses
U S Potard1, D E Leith, M R Fedde
1Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA.
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|June 11, 1998
Summary
Thoroughbred (TB) and draft horses (DH) show distinct exercise adaptations. TB horses achieve higher speeds and oxygen consumption, while DH horses excel at high-force, low-speed tasks, reflecting different muscle adaptations.
Area of Science:
- Equine physiology
- Exercise science
- Comparative biomechanics
Background:
- Thoroughbred (TB) and draft horses (DH) are selectively bred for different performance demands.
- Understanding their physiological adaptations to exercise is crucial for equine science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the aerobic capacity and force-speed relationships of TB and DH horses.
- To investigate the physiological adaptations underlying their differing performance characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Progressive exercise tests on a level treadmill were conducted on three TB and four DH horses.
- Horses exerted draft forces from 0 to 20% of body weight at incrementally increasing speeds.
- Oxygen (O2) consumption and related variables were measured.
Main Results:
- TB horses achieved approximately double the speed, external power, and O2 consumption of DH horses at equivalent draft forces.
- Maximal O2 consumption was significantly higher in TB (134 ml . kg-1 . min-1) compared to DH (72 ml . kg-1 . min-1).
- Peak gross efficiency occurred at lower speeds in DH horses, indicating adaptation to high-force, low-speed locomotion.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences exist in aerobic capacity and force-speed performance between TB and DH breeds.
- These variations suggest underlying adaptations in muscle contraction velocities suited to their respective selection criteria.
- DH horses are adapted for high-force, low-speed work, while TB horses are adapted for high-intensity, high-speed exercise.
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