Next Article in Journal
Effect of Phytase Derived from the E. coli AppA Gene on Weaned Piglet Performance, Apparent Total Tract Digestibility and Bone Mineralization
Previous Article in Journal
Identification of Novel lncRNAs Differentially Expressed in Placentas of Chinese Ningqiang Pony and Yili Horse Breeds
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Animals
Volume 10
Issue 1
10.3390/ani10010120
animals-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles thumb_up
...
Endorse textsms
...
Comment
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Relationship between Resting and Recovery Heart Rate in Horses

by
Arno Lindner
1,*,
Martina Esser
1,
Ramón López
2 and
Federico Boffi
2
1
Arbeitsgruppe Pferd, 52428 Juelich, Germany
2
Centro de Fisiología y Fisiopatología del Equino Deportivo, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Buenos Aires 1900, Argentine
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2020, 10(1), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10010120
Submission received: 6 December 2019 / Revised: 3 January 2020 / Accepted: 9 January 2020 / Published: 11 January 2020
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Physiology)
Review Reports Versions Notes

Abstract

:

Simple Summary

Veterinary check points are established at certain distances within an endurance race to ensure the health of the competing horses. In the vet checks horses are stopped and examined. Heart rate (HR) is one of the parameters controlled. The horses can continue racing after reaching a pre-defined and arbitrary HR only, providing all other parameters are in good order too. The results of this study show that the time until the pre-defined HR is reached is shorter when the resting HR of a horse is lower. The study shows that the lower resting HR is not related to a higher endurance. Therefore, pre-determined arbitrary HR recovery values may not allow for fair competition during endurance racing. Instead, HR recovery tests based on individual HR should be introduced.

Abstract

In endurance racing the heart rate (HR) of horses in the veterinary gates has to reach a maximum set to continue racing. There is no literature on the relationship between resting HR (HRresting) and HR after exercise (HRrecovery). This relationship was examined in seven horses and the results were related to their v4 (speed at which the blood lactate concentration is 4 mmol/L). Horses were submitted to an exercise test to determine v4. Thereafter, horses were exercised on a treadmill in randomized order for 10 and 60 min at different speeds. HR was measured before exercise and several times until 30 min of recovery. The relationship between HRresting and HRrecovery was significant in 16 out of 35 comparisons. There were no significant relationships between the v4 of the horses and their HRresting and between v4 and HRrecovery after 10 min of exercise, regardless of the speed of exercise, with one exception. The relationship between the v4 of the horses and their HRrecovery after 60 min of exercise was significant in the fifth minute after exercise at 3.5 m/s only. Conclusion: Because HRresting and HRrecovery are often related, pre-determined arbitrary HRrecovery values may not allow for fair competition during endurance racing.

1. Introduction

There are many exogenous and endogenous factors affecting the resting heart rate (HRresting) in horses [1,2]. According to several studies resting HR (HRresting) can be lowered through training [3,4,5,6,7] although there are many other studies that did not report such an effect [8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15]. The type of training program applied is likely to be an explanation for the differing results. Genetics could also play a role [16,17]. A study in humans suggests another dimension requiring investigation in horses [18]. They found that multiple genes contribute to genetic variation in the adaptation of submaximal HR after exercise (HRexercise) to regular physical activity. Thus, chances are that a change in HR will not occur or occur to a lesser extent in an individual with no or fewer certain alleles, and therefore the response of HR parameters to training might be quite individual.
In endurance racing horses are stopped several times during a race for a veterinary inspection at so-called vet gates. For a horse to continue competing, its HR must be at or below a fixed value within 20 min of arrival. In general, the upper limit for an 80-km race or longer is a HR of 64 beats/min [19]. The Veterinary Commission may change the fixed HR or the recovery time before or during the competition to adjust to particular conditions. The time between arrival at each vet gate and the start of the veterinary inspection is counted as part of the overall riding time. Thus, a fast recovery HR is very important for success in endurance events. Any horse deemed unfit to continue (due to lameness or HR not recovering as expected, for example) is withdrawn from the event. The fixed HR rule has developed a life of its own because HR is only one criterion of the health status of a horse during an endurance race [20]. Setting HR limits has led to the selection of horses with a low HR at rest and to trying to reduce it with drugs, manual manipulation, and other means [20,21]. However, until now there has been no evidence that a lower HR at rest signifies better endurance or overall fitness, while some authors have concluded that there is no such relationship [8,9,10,11]. No literature on the relationship between resting HR (HRresting) and HR recovery (HRrecovery) was found. Thus, the objective of this study was to confirm or refute the hypothesis that there is a positive relationship between HRresting and HRrecovery in horses.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Horses

Seven horses (five purebred Arabian and two Arabian-cross; two aged 2 years, two aged 3 years, one aged 4 years, one aged 5 years, and one aged 8 years; four mares, one stallion, and two geldings) adapted to exercising on a treadmill and being prepared for endurance racing or already competing were used. All procedures were approved by the Bioethical Committee of the University of La Plata, Argentina.

2.2. Experimental Design

In the morning, 2 h after feeding, horses run every second day on a treadmill at one of the speeds selected for 10 or 60 min (Mustang 2200, Kagra AG, Fahrwangen, Switzerland). First the horses were warmed-up always for 1 min at 1.5 m/s and for 4 min at 3.5 m/s on a 0% slope. Thereafter, the horses were exercised in a randomized order for 10 min at one of the following speeds on a 3% slope: 1.5, 3.5, 5, 6, and 7 m/s (Table 1). Two runs of 60 min each at 3.5 m/s and 5 m/s followed the series of 10-min runs. The order of these runs on different days was also randomized (Table 1). After all exercises the horses continued walking on the treadmill at 1.5 m/s and 0% slope for 10 min and were then walked to their paddocks where they remained until a total recovery time of 30 min was reached.

2.3. Heart Rate Measurement

Commercially available HR meters were used for the HR measurements (Polar S610, Polar Electro, Kempele, Finland). The HR meters were attached to the thorax of the horses according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The HR was recorded at 5-s intervals. Gel was applied to improve the conductivity of the HR signal between the electrodes and the skin of the horses (F7 Gel, Gel Conductor Classic, Laboratorios FABOP, Buenos Aires, Argentina). The data recorded by the HR meter were transferred to a computer through an interface (Polar USB IR Interface, Polar Electro, Finland) for analysis on a computer with special software (Polar Equine SW, Version 4.02.036 H, Polar Electro, Finland).
The resting HR (HRresting) was determined on three consecutive days in the morning 30 min before feeding. After placing the HR meters on the thorax of the horses they were left alone in their paddocks and all disturbances avoided. The HR was recorded for 15 min and the section of the recording with steady signals was used to calculate the mean HR, representing HRresting.
The HR after exercise (HRrecovery) was recorded for 30 min after ending the 10- and 60-min exercises (HRrecovery10 and HRrecovery60, respectively). The means of the values recorded during the minute before the 1, 5, 15, and 30 min of recovery were used to determine HRrecovery10 and HRrecovery60. In addition, the time between the end of exercise and when the HR of 64 beats/min was reached (HR64), was determined.

2.4. v4 (Speed at Which the Blood Lactate Concentration is 4 mmol/L)

A standardized submaximal exercise test (SET) was performed by each horse on the treadmill at the beginning of the study to determine the blood lactate running speed relationship (BLRS). Blood samples were drawn from the jugular vein prior to SET, but after warm-up. Warm-up consisted of 5 min at 1.7 m/s and 5 min at 4.0 m/s on a 0% slope.
The SET on the treadmill inclined at 6% consisted of 5 min at each speed, starting at 4.0 m/s with subsequent steps increasing incrementally by 0.5 m/s. Between each step, the treadmill was stopped for 60 s, blood samples were drawn (within 15 s) by puncture of the jugular vein into Li-heparinized evacuated tubes (Becton Dickinson, Heidelberg, Germany) and blood Lactate (LA) was determined immediately (Accusport™; Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). When the horse reached a speed at which the blood LA concentration was at or above 4 mmol/L, the SET ended. A BLRS curve was generated using exponential regression analysis and used to calculate the horse’s speed at which the LA concentration reached 4 mmol/L (v4) [22].

2.5. Statistical Analysis

All analyses were run on Statview 5.0 (SAS, Cary, NC, USA). All data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Analysis of variance for repeated measurements was applied to determine the effect of the speed of exercise on the HRrecovery. When a significant F ratio was achieved with the level of significance fixed at p < 0.05, post-hoc comparisons were carried out via Fisher’s least significant test to locate specific significant differences among exercises. The Pearson coefficient of correlation was calculated to examine the relationship between HRresting and the age of the horses, HRresting and HRrecovery, HRresting and Time64 (the time when a HR of 64 beats/min), as well as HRresting and v4. p < 0.05 was set as the limit to denote significance.

3. Results

Mean HRresting was 31.7 ± 5.3 beats/min. Mean HRresting did not depend on age (p > 0.05). The mean HRresting and HRrecovery10 values of the horses are shown in Table 2, and those of HRrecovery60 in Table 3.

3.1. Exercise for 10 min

HRrecovery10 was higher in the first and fifth minute after exercise at speeds at 5 m/s and higher than after lower speed exercises (p < 0.01) but not in the 15 and 30 min after exercise (p > 0.05; Table 2).
The time when HR64 was reached after 10 min of exercise depended on exercise speed (p < 0.01; Table 4).

3.2. Exercise for 60 min

The mean HRrecovery60 differed between speeds during the first minute only (p < 0.05; Table 3). The mean HRrecovery60 at 5, 15 and 30 min after exercise did not differ between the two exercise speeds (p > 0.05).
The mean times to reach HR64 after 60 min of exercise were similar for both speeds of exercise (p > 0.05; Table 4).

3.3. Relationships between HRresting and HRrecovery

HRresting and HRrecovery10 were more often significantly correlated when exercise speed was 1.5 m/s, 3.5 m/s and 5 m/s and less often when the speed was 6 m/s and 7 m/s (Table 5).
The time taken to reach 64 or less beats/min was correlated with HRresting after 10 min exercise at 3.5 m/s and 5 m/s only (Table 5).
Horses with a higher HRresting showed higher HRrecovery60 values 15 and 30 min after exercise (p < 0.05 to < 0.001; Table 6). HRresting was not correlated with HR64 after running for 60 min at 3.5 or 5 m/s (p > 0.05; Table 6).

3.4. Relationships between v4 and HRresting, v4 and HRrecovery

The mean v4 of the horses was 5.58 ± 0.32 m/s (range 5.1–6.2 m/s). There was no significant relationship between the v4 of the horses and their HRresting (p > 0.05).
There were no relationships between v4 and the different values of HRrecovery10, regardless of the speed of exercise (p > 0.05). The exception was a positive relationship between v4 and the HRrecovery10 in the first minute after exercise at 1.5 m/s (p < 0.05; r2 = 0.56).
The relationship between the v4 of the horses and their HRrecovery60 was significant and positive in the fifth minute after exercise at 3.5 m/s only (p < 0.01; r2 = 0.80).
The relationship between the v4 of the horses and their HR64 was positive after horses had run at 3.5 m/s for 10 min and 60 min (both p < 0.05; r2 = 0.60 and r2 = 0.68, respectively), but not when horses had run for the same times at other speeds (p > 0.05).

4. Discussion

The results of this study indicate that it is reasonable to assume that there is a positive relationship between HRresting and HRecovery. This would mean that horses with a lower HRresting could leave the vet gates during an endurance competition earlier than horses with a higher HRresting because they would reach the HRrecovery value fixed beforehand by the racing authorities within a shorter time, giving them a competitive advantage. Obviously the relatively small number of horses participating in the study and the short duration of exercise in comparison to the duration of endurance races of 80 and more km precludes generalization of this assumption. Longer races will produce much larger thermoregulatory increases and fluid and metabolic shifts in the horses than in this study [23,24] and these effects may affect the relationship. These effects might also be the cause of the fewer significant relationships observed between HRresting and HRrecovery when the horses had run at 6 m/s and 7 m/s compared to the lower speeds of exercise.
On the other hand, the speeds of 3.5 m/s to 7 m/s, used to exercise the horses in this study, correspond with the range of winning speeds in endurance races worldwide [25] and the standardization of all procedures allow confirmation that there is a positive relationship between HRresting and HRrecovery in horses. This relationship has long been taken for granted in practice and is the reason for the worldwide search for horses with low HRresting to compete in endurance races.
There was no relationship found between v4 of horses and their HRresting and very few ones between v4 and HRrecovery in this study. v4 is the parameter that has most often been shown to be associated with the competitive performance of horses [26], including in endurance racing [27,28,29,30]. Thus, there appears to be no scientific evidence for the fixed HRrecovery system in endurance racing. This system may not only be preventing fair competition conditions for all horses, but may be compromising their health and welfare because the HR of horses with lower HRresting may be able to recover sufficiently to continue competing despite their health being compromised already.
Based on the results of this study it would be much better to define the individual HRrecovery for each horse before competition and apply this value in the vet gates during competition. The individual HRrecovery could be determined during the veterinary examination of a horse to determine if it is fit to compete. Individual HRrecovery indices have been proposed by others already [31,32].
The speed of exercise had an effect on HRrecovery rate in the first 5 min after exercise only. Thereafter the decline in the rate of HRrecovery was the same. This result validates the racing strategy of reducing the running speed before entering a vet gate to increase the likelihood of reaching the fixed HR value earlier. The time taken to reach HR64 also depended on the duration of exercise, taking longer when the horses exercised for 60 min than for 10 min. These effects of exercise speed and duration on HRrecovery have been described previously [9,10,33,34,35,36].
The management of the horses following exercise could have affected their HRrecovery rates. During the first 10 min of the recovery phase the horses were walked on the treadmill. Thereafter, they were walked to their paddocks within 5 min and left loose in them for the remaining time until completing the total of 30 min set for recovery observation. It is known from other studies that HR recovers more rapidly when horses are walked, and even more rapidly when trotted instead of kept standing [37,38]. Thus, it is likely that the HRrecovery rates of the horses in this study would have been somewhat higher after the 15th minute if they had been walked until the end of the recovery period of 30 min.
The HRresting of the horses in this study did not depend on their age. Such a relationship has been reported previously [39,40,41], with the exception of Younes et al. [42]. These discrepancies might be due to breed and age differences of the horses used in the studies.

5. Conclusions

In this investigation positive relationships were found between HRresting and HRrecovery at many different times after exercise. There are some caveats for interpreting these results because the effects of longer duration exercise on this relationship, as in endurance racing, cannot be foreseen. However, fixed HRrecovery values may not allow fair competition because it is likely that there is no relationship between HRresting and endurance and there may be none between HRrecovery and endurance either. Fixed HRrecovery values could even impair the health of horses during endurance racing. Instead, HRrecovery tests based on individual HR before and after a defined exercise should be introduced.

Author Contributions

M.E., R.L. and F.B. managed the horses and performed with them all procedures for the study. A.L. designed the study, analyzed the data, and prepared the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was partially funded by the Verein zur Förderung der Forschung im Pferdesport e.V. www.ffp-ev.de.

Acknowledgments

We are very grateful to all the involved students for their cooperation.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest.

References

  1. Persson, S.G.B. On blood volume and working capacity in horses. Acta Vet. Scand. 1967, 19, 9–189. [Google Scholar]
  2. Hodgson, D.R.; Rose, R.J. Training Regimens: Physiological adaptations to training. In The Athletic Horse; Hodgson, D.H., Rose, R.J., Eds.; Saunders: London, UK, 1994; pp. 379–386. [Google Scholar]
  3. Marsland, W.P. Heart rate response to submaximal exercise in the Standardbred horse. J. Appl. Physiol. 1968, 24, 98–101. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  4. Lutz, G.; Schneider, H.; Panndorf, H.; Preuße, C.; Grün, E. Das Verhalten der Ruheherzfrequenz beim trainierten Galopprennpferd. Mon. Veterinärmed. 1976, 31, 134–140. [Google Scholar]
  5. Kuhawara, M.; Hiraga, A.; Kai, M.; Tsubone, H.; Sugano, S. Influence of training on autonomic nervous function in horses: Evaluation by power spectral analysis of heart rate variability. Equine Vet. J. 1999, 30, 178–180. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  6. Betros, C.L.; McKeever, N.M.; Manso Filho, H.C.; Malinowski, K.; McKeever, K.H. Effect of training on intrinsic and resting heart rate and plasma volume in young and old horses. Comp. Exerc. Physiol. 2013, 9, 43–50. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  7. Ringmark, S.; Lindholm, A.; Hedenström, U.; Lindinger, M.; Dahlborn, K.; Kvart, C.; Jansson, A. Effects of high intensity training distance on VLa4 and cardiovascular response of 2-3 year old Standardbred horses. Acta Vet. Scand. 2015, 57, 17–29. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  8. Bassan, L.; Ott, W. Radio-telemetrische Untersuchungen der Herzschlagfrequenz beim Sportpferd in Ruhe und in allen Gangarten (Schritt, Trab, Galopp). Arch. Exp. Veterinärmed. 1968, 22, 57–75. [Google Scholar]
  9. Wittke, G.; Bayer, A. Die Herzschlagfrequenz von Pferden bei Vielseitigkeitsprüfungen. Berl. Münch. Tierärztl. Wschrift. 1968, 81, 389–392. [Google Scholar]
  10. Ehrlein, H.J.; von Engelhardt, W.; Hörnicke, H.; Tolkmitt, G.; Dusek, J. Untersuchung über die Beziehung zwischen Herzschlagfrequenz und Leistung bei Pferden. J. Vet. Med. Ser. A 1970, 17, 577–590. [Google Scholar]
  11. Skarda, R.T.; Muir, W.W.; Milne, D.W.; Gabel, A.A. Effects of training on resting and postexercise ECG in Standardbred horses, using a standardised exercise test. Am. J. Vet. Res. 1976, 37, 1485–1488. [Google Scholar]
  12. Ehrlein, H.J.; Hörnicke, H.; von Engelhardt, W.; Tolkmitt, G. Die Herzschlagfrequenz während standardisierter Belastung als Maß für die Leistungsfähigkeit von Pferden. J. Vet. Med. Ser. A 1973, 20, 188–208. [Google Scholar]
  13. Bayly, W.M.; Gabel, A.A.; Barr, S.A. Cardiovascular effects of submaximal aerobic training on a treadmill in Standardbred horses, using a standardized exercise test. Am. J. Vet. Res. 1983, 44, 544–553. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
  14. Foreman, J.H.; Rabin, D. Determination of accuracy of a digitally displaying equine heart rate meter. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 1984, 4, 161–163. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  15. Lewing, C. Ausdauertraining von Sportpferden bei Unterschiedlicher Belastungsintensität und –Dauer; Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover: Hannover, Germany, 2001. [Google Scholar]
  16. Loving, N.S.; Johnston, A.M. Veterinary Manual for the Performance Horse; Blackwell Wissenschafts Verlag: Berlin, Germany, 1993. [Google Scholar]
  17. Younes, M.; Robert, C.; Cottin, F.; Barrey, E. Speed and Cardiac Recovery Variables Predict the Probability of Elimination in Equine Endurance Events. PLoS ONE 2015, 10, e0137013. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  18. Rankinen, T.; Sung, Y.J.; Sarzynski, M.A.; Rice, T.K.; Rao, D.C.; Bouchard, B. Heritability of submaximal exercise heart rate response to exercise training is accounted for by nine SNPs. J. Appl. Physiol. 2012, 112, 892–897. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  19. Federation Equestre Internationale. Endurance Rules. Available online: http://inside.fei.org/fei/regulations/endurance (accessed on 1 December 2017).
  20. Sloet, M. Does heart rate indicate the health status of endurance horses during competition? In The Elite Race and Endurance Horse; Lindner, A., Ed.; Arbeitsgruppe Pferd: Juelich, Germany, 2004; pp. 91–97. [Google Scholar]
  21. Birt, M.A.; Guay, K.; Treiber, K.; Ramirez, H.R.; Snyder, D. The Influence of a soft touch therapy flowtrition on heart rate, surface temperature, and behavior in horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2015, 35, 636–644. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  22. Galloux, P. Contribution à L’élaboration D’une Planification de la Study; Préparation Énergétique du Cheval de Concours Complet Suivi de L’entraînement par la Mesure de la Fréquence Cardiaque et le Dosage de la Lactatémie. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France, 1991. [Google Scholar]
  23. Rose, R.J. Haematological changes associated with endurance exercise. Vet. Rec. 1982, 110, 175–177. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  24. Flethøj, M.; Kanters, J.K.; Haugaard, M.M.; Pedersen, P.J.; Carstensen, H.; Balling, J.D.; Olsen, L.H.; Buhl, R. Changes in heart rate, arrhythmia frequency, and cardiac biomarker values in horses during recovery after a long-distance endurance ride. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 2016, 248, 1034–1042. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  25. Nagy, A.; Murray, J.K.; Dyson, S.J. Descriptive epidemiology and risk factors for eliminations from Fédération Equestre Internationale endurance rides due to lameness and metabolic reasons (2008–2011). Equine Vet. J. 2014, 46, 38–44. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  26. Lindner, A. Relationships between racing times of Standardbreds and v4 and v200. J. Animal Sci. 2010, 88, 950–954. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  27. Demonceau, T. Appreciation de l´Aptitude Physique du Cheval d´Endurance: Interet du Seuil Anaerobie Lactique. Ph.D. Thesis, Ecole Nationale Veterinarie d´Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France, 1989. [Google Scholar]
  28. Erickson, H.H.; Erikson, B.K.; Lundin, C.S.; Gillespie, J.R.; Coffman, J.R. Performance indices for the evaluation of the equine athlete. Proc. Am. Assoc. Equine Pract. 1990, 36, 457–469. [Google Scholar]
  29. Lindner, A. Angewandte Sportwissenschaft bei Pferden, die in Deutschland für Distanzrittrennen trainiert wurden (Applied sport science for horses trained in Germany for endurance racing). Pferdeheilkunde 2010, 26, 255–263. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  30. Fraipont, A.; Van Erck, E.; Ramery, E.; Fortier, G.; Lekeux, P.; Art, T. Assessing fitness in endurance horses. Can. Vet. J. 2012, 53, 311–314. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
  31. Ridgway, K.J. Inride veterinary examination, postride examination, and judging of best condition. Proc. Am. Assoc. Equine Pract. 1991, 37, 815–826. [Google Scholar]
  32. Robert, C.; Benamou-Smith, A.; Leclerc, J.L. Use of the recovery check in long-distance endurance rides. Equine Vet. J. 2002, 34, 106–111. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  33. Ehrlein, H.J.; von Engelhardt, W.; Hörnicke, H. Registrierung der Herzschlagfrequenz von Sportpferden während standardisierter Belastungen. J. Vet. Med. Ser. A 1970, 17, 91–96. [Google Scholar]
  34. Stewart, G.A. Drugs, performance and responses to exercise in the racehorse. 1. Physiological observations on the cardiac and respiratory responses. Aust. Vet. J. 1972, 48, 537–543. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  35. Möhring, B. Untersuchungen zum Verhalten der Herzfrequenz bei Galopprennpferden unter Verschiedenen Belastungsbedingungen. Diploma Thesis, Karl-Marx-University of Leipzig, Section of Animal Production and Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig, Germany, 1975. [Google Scholar]
  36. Hall, M.C.; Steel, D.; Stewart, G.A. Cardiac monitoring during exercise tests in the horse. 2. Heart rate responses to exercise. Aust. Vet. J. 1976, 52, 1–5. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  37. Dahl, S.; Cotrel, C.; Leleu, C. Optimal active recovery intensity in Standardbreds after submaximal work. Equine Vet. J. 2006, 36, 102–105. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  38. Kang, O.D.; Park, Y.S. Effect of age on heart rate, blood lactate concentration, packed cell volume and hemoglobin to exercise in Jeju crossbreed horses. J. Anim. Sci. Technol. 2017, 59, 2–6. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  39. Physick-Sheard, P.W. Cardiovascular response to exercise and training in the horse. Vet. Clin. N. Am. 1985, 1, 383–417. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  40. Clayton, H.M. Conditioning Sport Horses; Sport Horse Publications: Saskatoon, SK, Canada, 1991. [Google Scholar]
  41. Visser, E.K.; van Reenen, C.G.; van der Werf, J.T.N.; Schilder, M.B.H.; Knaap, J.H.; Barneveld, A.; Blokhuis, H.J. Heart rate and heart rate variability during a novel object test and a handling test in young horses. Physiol. Behav. 2002, 76, 289–296. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  42. Younes, M.; Robert, C.; Barrey, E.; Cottin, F. Effects of Age, Exercise Duration, and Test Conditions on Heart Rate Variability in Young Endurance Horses. Front. Physiol. 2016, 7, 216. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
Table
Table 1. Order of exercises for each horse at the different speeds (m/s) for 10 and 60 min duration.
Table 1. Order of exercises for each horse at the different speeds (m/s) for 10 and 60 min duration.
HorseOrder of Exercises
FirstSecondThirdFourthFifthSixthSeventh
10 Min Duration60 Min Duration
11.53.56753.55
2573.51.563.55
371.5563.553.5
43.561.5573.55
53.561.5573.55
61.53.567553.5
76573.51.553.5
Table
Table 2. Recovery heart rate at different times after 10 min of exercise at different speeds (mean ± SD; 7 horses).
Table 2. Recovery heart rate at different times after 10 min of exercise at different speeds (mean ± SD; 7 horses).
Time (min)Speed (m/s)
1.53.5567
157.6 ± 15.1 a74.9 ± 12.1 a93.7 ± 18.6 b122 ± 16.9 b126 ± 14.5 b
538.6 ± 9.9 a44.3 ± 10.7 a56.1 ± 13.7 b73.3 ± 10.5 b75.9 ± 12.9 b
1539.1 ± 10.9 a41.7 ± 8.0 a44.6 ± 8.5 a51.3 ± 7.9 a51.4 ± 9.5 a
3037.3 ± 7.0 a38.9 ± 7.0 a40.3 ± 9.2 a42.9 ± 4.9 a42.9 ± 7.5 a
Lines with different letters denote significant different values at p < 0.01.
Table
Table 3. Recovery heart rate at different times after 60 min of exercise at different speeds (mean ± SD; 7 horses).
Table 3. Recovery heart rate at different times after 60 min of exercise at different speeds (mean ± SD; 7 horses).
Time after Exercise (min)Speed (m/s)
3.55
189.7 ± 8.9 a105 ± 11.7 b
570.7 ± 22.2 a74.6 ± 8.9 a
1558.6 ± 12.6 a55.3 ± 8.5 a
3044.6 ± 16.1 a46.0 ± 9.7 a
Lines with different letters denote significant different values at p < 0.05.
Table
Table 4. Time when the heart rate of 64 beats/minute was reached by the horses after exercise at different speeds for 10 and 60 min duration (mean ± SD; seven horses).
Table 4. Time when the heart rate of 64 beats/minute was reached by the horses after exercise at different speeds for 10 and 60 min duration (mean ± SD; seven horses).
Exercise SpeedExercise DurationTime to Reach 64 beats/min
(m/s)(min)(s)
1.51026 ± 51
3.51075 ± 81
60194 ± 186
510186 ± 126
60274 ± 198
610367 ± 196
710547 ± 297
Table
Table 5. Coefficient of determination (r2) and level of significance of the relationship between resting heart rate and recovery heart rate after 10 min of exercise at different speeds (seven horses).
Table 5. Coefficient of determination (r2) and level of significance of the relationship between resting heart rate and recovery heart rate after 10 min of exercise at different speeds (seven horses).
Time (min)Speed (m/s)
1.53.5567
10.65 *0.75 **0.76 **0.040.14
50.86 **0.88 ***0.86 **0.290.18
150.400.87 **0.64 *0.520.40
300.62 *0.90 ***0.74 **0.190.51
Time to reach 64 beats/min0.490.54 *0.87 **0.320.18
* = p < 0.05; ** = p < 0.01; *** = p < 0.001.
Table
Table 6. Coefficient of determination (r2) and level of significance of the relationship between resting heart rate and recovery heart rate after 60 min of exercise at 3.5 m/s and 5 m/s (seven horses).
Table 6. Coefficient of determination (r2) and level of significance of the relationship between resting heart rate and recovery heart rate after 60 min of exercise at 3.5 m/s and 5 m/s (seven horses).
Time after Exercise (min)Speed (m/s)
3.55
10.150.03
50.240.26
150.84 **0.47
300.73 *0.77 **
Time to reach 64 beats/min0.020.00
* = p < 0.05; ** = p < 0.01.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Lindner, A.; Esser, M.; López, R.; Boffi, F. Relationship between Resting and Recovery Heart Rate in Horses. Animals 2020, 10, 120. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10010120

AMA Style

Lindner A, Esser M, López R, Boffi F. Relationship between Resting and Recovery Heart Rate in Horses. Animals. 2020; 10(1):120. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10010120

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lindner, Arno, Martina Esser, Ramón López, and Federico Boffi. 2020. "Relationship between Resting and Recovery Heart Rate in Horses" Animals 10, no. 1: 120. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10010120

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop