Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Cardiovascular Responses and Energy Expenditure During a Standardized Training Programme in Three-Year-Old Czech Warmblood Stallions
By Kacetlová D, Dočkalová H, Kopec T and 2 others.
Abstract
Background
Early training represents an important period in the development of young sport horses, yet field-based information on cardiovascular responses and estimated energy expenditure across different exercise modalities remains limited.
Objectives
This study aimed to characterize heart rate (HR) responses and estimate energy expenditure in three-year-old Czech Warmblood stallions during an 18-week standardized training programme, with emphasis on exercise modality and temporal variation. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that HR responses and estimated energy expenditure would differ among exercise modalities and vary throughout the training period.
Methods
Fourteen three-year-old Czech Warmblood stallions were monitored over 18 weeks, comprising 1003 training sessions across six exercise modalities. Session mean, peak, and minimum HR were recorded, and energy expenditure was estimated using HR-based equations and National Research Council (NRC) recommendations. Linear mixed-effects models assessed associations with exercise modality and monitoring week, accounting for repeated observations within horses.