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Skip Navigation LinksAll Horse Topics > Sports Medicine > Monitoring Exercise Performance


Articles ( * = TheHorse.com members only )Date Posted
Study: Lactate Levels Could Guide Equine Conditioning Programs
Low-intensity exercise over long periods was an effective approach to conditioning horses as indicated by blood lactate levels measured in a new study. Blood lactate, the ionized form of lactic acid, which is a byproduct of anaerobic metabolism, can provide an indication of a horse's fitness, but there was previously little information about ... Read full story
 11/17/2009
Training Alters Stride in Racehorses  *
Training mature racehorses produces a decrease in the protraction (extension) time of the forelimb and might reduce the risk of training-induced injuries, said Marta Ferrari, DrMedVet, PhD, MRCVS, of Park Veterinary Centre in Watford, U.K, and colleagues at London's Royal Veterinary College in a new study. The researchers aimed to investigate the ... Read full story
 9/19/2009
Equine Heat Tolerance Parameters Examined in Study   *
In a step toward understanding heat tolerance in horses, Brazilian researchers recently concluded that respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), and rectal temperature (RT) are the most useful parameters for distinguishing equine adaptation to elevated temperatures. As part of an ongoing project on equine heat tolerance, the study authors investigated ... Read full story
 8/26/2009
Saddle Pad Research Shows Variable Changes in Rider Pressure  *
Saddle pads might help reduce painful pressure on a horse's back caused by ill-fitting saddles, but the ideal pad will vary from horse to horse and from saddle to saddle, according to a new study by Austrian researchers. Optimum pressure relief will also depend on the discipline and even the gait, said primary study author Anja Kotschwar, DVM, research ... Read full story
 8/12/2009
Tevis Veterinarians Add New Post-Ride Check  *
Head Tevis Cup veterinarian Greg Fellers, DVM, will implement a new post-ride vet check this year. His check will be conducted within two hours after horses complete the 100-mile ride from Lake Tahoe to Auburn, Calif. "What I am looking for in this new check is a continually falling heart rate. This check should find heart rates in the 44, 46, 48 ... Read full story
 7/30/2009
Researchers Examine Oral Acetate for Equine Exercise Recovery  *
An inaugural study has found that a sodium acetate electrolyte solution given orally with a typical hay and grain meal following exercise enhanced skeletal muscle metabolism to restore depleted glycogen (energy) sources. "Glycogen stored in muscle is the primary energy source for horses undergoing either short-term, high intensity or prolonged submaximal ... Read full story
 6/15/2009
Treadmill Use Aids Equine Performance Evaluation  *
Methods for evaluating the ubiquitous presentation of "poor performance" in equine athletes have improved in the past few years, enabling veterinarians to better explain why a horse might not be performing at its previous level, explained David R. Hodgson, BVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, FACSM, a professor and head of the department of Large Animal Clinical ... Read full story
 4/19/2009
Anhidrosis: Altered Thyroid Function a Potential Contributor  *
Despite the fact that 20% of racehorses in the southern United States are affected by anhidrosis--the inability or decreased ability to sweat--the underlying causes of this medical condition remain unknown. Sweating is the primary means by which exercising horses dissipate heat. Anhidrotic horses are typically exercise intolerant, have an increased ... Read full story
 2/28/2009
New Approach to Assessing Training Adaptation  *
Dutch researchers recently reported that a new technique for assessing adaptation to training gives a more accurate picture than the usual approach of measuring muscle enzyme levels. In the study, researchers instead used "quantitative needle electromyography" (QEMG) to evaluate adaptations in skeletal muscle in athletic horses. A horse's performance ... Read full story
 12/25/2008
Ride Along at the FEI World Endurance Championship   *
The first-ever FEI World Endurance Championship in Malaysia was held Nov. 7-8 in Terengganu. Meg Sleeper, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM, and her horse, Syrocco Reveille, competed on the team representing the United States. While the competition didn't work out as the squad had hoped, her journal entries provide an inside look at what it takes to transport and ... Read full story
 11/21/2008
Elmer Bandit Did It! 37-Year-Old Horse Sets New Mileage Record   *
Half-Arabian Elmer Bandit trotted under the finish line to set a new competitive trail mileage record of 20,720 miles, 201 days after his 37th birthday. The North American Trail Conference event took place Oct. 25-26 at Kanopolis State Park near Lindsborg, Kan. Elmer Bandit set a new record for lifetime competitive trail miles. A heavy frost ... Read full story
 10/27/2008
Heart Murmurs: No Impact on Racing Performance in New Study  *
According to a group of researchers from the United Kingdom, heart murmurs are common in athletic horses, but do not negatively impact racing performance. "A high prevalence of heart murmurs is known to exist in horses," explained Lesley Young, BVSc, PhD, DVA, Dipl. ECEIM (European College of Equine Internal Medicine), DVC, MRCVS, an equine cardiologist ... Read full story
 4/15/2008
Atrial Fibrillation Affects General Performance  *
Horses with atrial fibrillation (AF, disorganized electrical conduction and pumping of the atria) can have a difficult time with exercise. Scientists have shown that the condition influences the properties and blood flow in horses during treadmill exercise, which could explain this exercise intolerance. They published their findings in the August issue ... Read full story
 10/20/2006
Book Excerpt: Exercise Exhaustion  *
Edior's Note: This is an excerpt from Understanding Equine First Aid by Michael A. Ball, DVM. This book is available from www.ExclusivelyEquine.com. The ability to exercise and the metabolic responses to exercise differ in each individual horse and can vary greatly depending on many factors. The genetic potential for athleticism, the level of training, ... Read full story
 4/19/2006
Acclimating Competition Horses  *
The whole world is a stage, it has been said. And so it is for horses. Equine transportation from one part of the world to another for competition in days gone by generally was restricted to Olympic events once every four years. But that is a far cry from today, when horses by the dozen move from one country to another to compete in eventing, dressage, ... Read full story
 3/1/2006
AAEP Convention 2005: Using GPS to Train Racehorses  *
An Australian researcher reported he's found a reliable way for trainers to monitor Thoroughbred racehorse fitness using global positioning system (GPS) technology measurements of velocity and heart rate during normal fast gallop training routines. David Evans, BVSc, PhD, associate professor in the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of ... Read full story
 2/16/2006
Science and Horsemanship  *
Over the past two decades, the work of Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, has elevated equine sports medicine to a whole new level. As the first incumbent of the Mary Anne McPhail Chair at Michigan State University, Clayton brings an element of modern science to the ancient art of horsemanship. Her revolutionary research is generating valuable information ... Read full story
 9/1/2005
Untimely End   *
The young man's name was Hank Gathers, and he was 23 years of age. He was a basketball star at Loyola Marymount University in California. The year was 1990, and Gathers the year before had become only the second player in Division 1 history to lead the nation in both scoring and rebounding in the same season. He was on his way to another landmark season. ... Read full story
 6/1/2005
Cold Air and Lung Health  *
Researchers at Oklahoma State University (OSU) recently completed a study on airway cooling and mucosal injury during cold weather exercise. Using the Thoroughbred racehorse as a model, scientists found that even cantering in sub-freezing temperatures can induce airway obstruction (bronchoconstriction, or airway contraction). The research appeared ... Read full story
 4/8/2005
AAEP 2004: Vets Discuss Pre-Purchase Exams  *
The Dec. 5 open forum discussion of pre-purchase exams at sales covered several topics critical to consignors, buyers, and veterinarians at the 50th anniversary meeting of the American Association of Equine Practitioners in Denver, Colo. A task force headed by Dr. Criag VanBalen has created a video of endoscopic exams of throats showing what has been ... Read full story
 12/6/2004
Educational Event after Rolex Thursday April 22  *
Spectators at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington and area horse owners will have the opportunity to hear about some of the latest veterinary technologies for the sport horse from top veterinarians on April 22 after the first day of dressage rides concludes. The event will be held in the Kentucky Horse Park South Theater from 4-6 p.m.; ... Read full story
 4/21/2004
Heat Stress in Horses  *
Beneath your helmet, your head feels hot and sweat drips off your face as you ride. Your horse's neck is soaked, and your reins are slippery and lathered. The more you call for an effort from your horse, the more sluggish he seems. Despite moving across firm ground, it's as if his legs suddenly are mired in deep footing, with the ground holding him ... Read full story
 7/1/2003
Camping With Your Horse   *
Whether it is the increased stress of daily life or the baby-boomer generation wanting to experience the roots of their pioneer forefathers, more and more people are setting out to see the country from horseback. As a result, equestrian campgrounds have multiplied throughout the country and the design of horse trailers has changed drastically to cater ... Read full story
 4/1/2003
Fatigue in Racehorses  *
While visibly obvious, fatigue is hard to quantify. Electromyography (EMG) measures conduction along nerves in a particular muscle group--as muscle fibers fatigue, EMG signals shift from high to low. Taking EMG readings during galloping is unreliable, however, because signals are susceptible to inaccuracies from lead changes. Kinematics is another ... Read full story
 7/1/2002
Investigating Poor Performance   *
For a horse to perform well as an athlete, all body systems must be in good working order. When one or more systems "breaks down," the horse is no longer able to perform up to his potential and the owner, rider, and trainer will likely notice a decline in performance during training and competition. In some cases, the reason for the loss of performance ... Read full story
 5/1/2002
Is Your Horse Fit for the Task?  *
Regardless of whether your horse is used for high-level competition or weekend trail riding, it's important that he be fit for the task. "Fitness" is a rather vague expression, but in general terms it can be defined as the ability to complete the required amount of physical activity without fatigue, stress, or injury. A tired horse is more likely to ... Read full story
 4/1/2002
Combat Stiffness  *
Day after day, you battle with your horse to get the correct left bend. Or maybe the trouble comes when you ask him to pick up the right lead, push off his hind end, or stretch out into a longer stride. Instead of a willing response, all you get is resistance. You assume you're facing a training obstacle, and you try to push both of you on through ... Read full story
 4/1/2002
Priming Equine Energy Systems  *
Last month, this column covered some of the basics in developing a physical conditioning program (see "Getting Your Horse in Shape" in the February 2002 issue of The Horse, article Quick Find #3263 at www.TheHorse.com). The early phases of training, often termed "legging-up," are designed to provide a foundation of fitness and musculoskeletal strengthening ... Read full story
 3/1/2002
Getting Your Horse in Shape  *
As spring approaches, visions of green grass, budding trees, and active wildlife might seem just around the corner for some. But for many of us, spring is but a dream, for we must endure a few more weeks of cold, snow, and ice-covered terrain. Still, regardless of geographic location, we all look forward to the stirrings of spring and a new season ... Read full story
 2/1/2002
EIPH: Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage  *
Perhaps the most widely recognized of all disorders affecting racehorses is "bleeding," or exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). We now know that most racehorses bleed at some time during their careers. In fact, many horses might bleed every time they undertake intense exercise, such as breezing and racing. We also know that bleeding can occur ... Read full story
 11/1/2001
Blood Builders (Hematinics)
Administration of hematinics (also known as "blood builders") to horses, either in the form of dietary supplements or as injectable compounds, is commonly practiced by owners, trainers, and veterinarians. The general objective in using these compounds is to increase a horse's supply of nutrients essential for the synthesis of hemoglobin and red blood ... Read full story
 12/1/2000
Stress Testing  *
For a horse to perform well as an athlete, all body systems must be in good working order. When one or more system "breaks down," the horse is no longer able to perform to its potential, and the owner, rider, and trainer will notice a decline in performance during training and competition. In some cases, the reason for the loss of performance is quite ... Read full story
 10/1/2000
Wind Soundness Exam Studies  *
Thoroughbred yearlings sold at public auction here and abroad often are subject to endoscopic examination of their upper respiratory tracts. Veterinarians and potential buyers are looking for evidence of deformities that could affect the ability of that young horse to breathe normally when it reaches adulthood as a trained athlete. Since some people ... Read full story
 10/1/2000
What Causes Poor Exercise Performance?  *
A huge amount of time, effort, and money often are invested in the preparation of horses for various athletic events, including Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing, three-day eventing, steeplechasing, dressage, hunter-jumper events, reining, cutting, and endurance racing, to mention but a few. Regardless of discipline, we expect that a well-trained ... Read full story
 9/1/2000
Peak Fitness  *
In the last issue we considered some of the adaptations that occur in horses during training. To recap, we know that improvements in cardiovascular and muscle function occur quite quickly after the onset of training. In fact, maximum aerobic capacity (VO2max) can increase by up to 10% after as little as two weeks of a regular exercise program. On the ... Read full story
 3/1/2000
Gait Analysis  *
Ever since the 1880s, when Edweard Muybridge set up a series of cameras to capture the character of footfalls of a racehorse, we’ve been fascinated by how horses move. No doubt you’ve seen that early sequence of photos, which demonstrated that the artists who produced hunting prints and racing scenes were wrong: horses didn’t trot or gallop in great ... Read full story
 9/1/1999
Indoor Exercise In Winter  *
Training programs often are affected by cold, rainy weather or deep snow during the winter, but the primary concern when planning a wintertime workout is the footing that your horse will encounter. Although winter weather brings the environmental challenges of wind, cold rain, and cold temperatures, it is not these conditions that often prevent a scheduled ... Read full story
 12/1/1998
Determining Conditioning  *
Among the animals we call "livestock," horses are unique because they are the only ones we regard as athletes. Unlike other animals that are bred for better milk production or tastier flesh, horses are bred for athletic performance, each type with its own particular talents. Some, like Thoroughbred racehorses, are track and field athletes; others, ... Read full story
 7/1/1998
Australian Performance Laboratory Moves   *
The University of Sydney's Equine Performance Laboratory has been relocated and upgraded to a new facility at the Rural Veterinary Centre in Camden, New South Wales. The new laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art monitoring equipment to allow exhaustive analysis of the efficiency of a horse's cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic functions ... Read full story
 12/1/1997
Olympic Soundness: For Peak Performance  *
Olympic champions excel due to talent and durability. Only a few earn the coveted medals, but horses of international quality prove they are true equine athletes. Like a classic race, the Olympics are a goal. A horse's owner and rider might determine the aim years in advance, then target the animal's training, competition, and conditioning toward the ... Read full story
 7/1/1996




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