Oral creatine supplementation on performance of Quarter Horses used in barrel racing.
Authors: Teixeira F A, Araújo A L, Ramalho L O, Adamkosky M S, Lacerda T F, Coelho C S
Journal: Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Creatine Supplementation in Barrel Racing Quarter Horses Researchers investigated whether oral creatine supplementation could enhance athletic performance in Quarter Horses engaged in barrel racing, a discipline demanding rapid acceleration, tight turning and sustained effort over short distances. Ten Quarter Horses (mean age 3.8 years, approximately 430 kg bodyweight) were monitored across four assessment timepoints, with animals receiving 28 g creatine per 100 kg bodyweight daily for 45 days between the third and fourth evaluations. Whilst the supplementation protocol did produce measurable biochemical changes—including alterations to lactate dehydrogenase activity, plasma glucose and packed cell volume—no significant improvements were observed in the performance metrics that matter clinically: barrel racing times remained unchanged, heart rate responses during exercise did not differ, and plasma lactate concentrations (a key indicator of anaerobic capacity and fatigue) showed no meaningful variation between pre- and post-supplementation phases. For equine professionals advising on performance nutrition, this finding suggests that creatine supplementation may not be a worthwhile investment for barrel horses, despite theoretical benefits to high-intensity, short-duration athletic tasks; further investigation with larger cohorts and longer supplementation periods may help clarify whether the null result reflects genuine inefficacy in this discipline or limitations in the study design.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Creatine supplementation does not appear to enhance barrel racing performance in Quarter Horses despite biochemical changes
- •While some physiological parameters shifted with supplementation, performance indicators (speed, recovery heart rate, lactate clearance) remained unchanged, suggesting limited practical benefit for competition horses
- •Practitioners should not rely on creatine supplementation as a performance-enhancing strategy for barrel racing without further evidence of efficacy
Key Findings
- •Oral creatine supplementation at 28 g/100 kg body weight for 45 days did not improve barrel racing performance metrics in Quarter Horses
- •No significant changes observed in time scores, heart rate, or plasma lactate levels before and after supplementation
- •Significant alterations were observed in LDH activity, plasma glucose, and packed cell volume following creatine supplementation
- •Study included 10 Quarter Horses or Quarter Horse crossbreds with mean age 3.8 ± 1.2 years and weight 429.7 ± 25.3 kg