The effect of different conditioning regimes on the performance of endurance horses

Abstract

This research compared two endurance training methods under Malaysian climatic conditions. Two teams of 9 Arab horses, all with previous experience in endurance competition, either at 160 or 120 km, were trained following two different regimes. The eventual goal was for the horses to participate in a 120 km endurance race approximately three months after the onset of the training. During four standardised exercise tests (SET), consisting of a 35km long track, progress was monitored by measuring the heart rate, rectal temperature and various blood parameters before-, immediately after and 30 minutes after finishing the test ride. There were significant differences between the two teams in heart rate, rectal temperature, aspartate aminotransferase activity, plasma sodium- and chloride concentration, lactate concentration and white blood cell-, segmented neutrophil- and thrombocyte count. Because the horses in the two teams had a different background and followed a different training regime, no conclusions could be drawn on the efficiency of the trainings method. However, in the actual 120 km competition, there was no difference in the performance of horses from either team.