Comparison of Conditioned and Non-conditioned University Horses After Semester Break
Comparison of Conditioned and Non-conditioned University Horses After Semester Break
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2023
Authors
Klingaman, Jenelle
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Middle Tennessee State University
Abstract
During periods of disuse, horses often receive pasture turn-out without exercise. This study evaluated fitness of conditioned and non-conditioned horses after a semester break. Twelve mature horses were assigned to a conditioned group that maintained light-to-moderate riding or non-conditioned group receiving no ridden exercise during summer break. Research began at the beginning of Fall semester. On d 0, 14, and 28 heart rate and physical measurements were recorded. Peak heart rate was not different between treatments (P=0.17) but increased for both treatments throughout the study (P=0.04). Resting heart rate of conditioned horses tended to be lower (P=0.08). Gaskin circumference of non-conditioned horses was larger (P=0.04), although non-conditioned horses tended to have larger average body weight (P=0.07). Conditioned horses had higher topline muscling scores (P=0.02). Horses that were conditioned over a semester break had mixed improvement in fitness suggesting that horses retain a degree of fitness during rest with pasture turn-out.
Description
Keywords
Conditioning,
Fitness,
University Horses,
Animal sciences