Heart rate and heart rate variability responses during three exercise tests and recovery in horses participating in the Fédération Équestre Internationale Eventing World Challenge.
Authors: Wonghanchao Thita, Sanigavatee Kanokpan, Pongnarudech Piyamaporn, Suchairat Temhuajai, Jitsopin Supatchaya, Wanichayanon Boonbaramee, Rattanakarn Dalad, Jantakanangkoon Pongkan, Jaraswutiwong Tharaporn, Kalanuson Nattanit, Simasurapoj Napat, Srisujja Wanwalee, Tippayaratsoontorn Salinthip, Kranpan Pannawat, Charoenchanikran Ponlakrit, Poochipakorn Chanoknun, Chanda Metha
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary Eventing horses face substantial physiological demands across all three competition phases, yet most research has concentrated narrowly on cross-country risks, leaving gaps in our understanding of autonomic nervous system responses throughout a complete one-day event. This study monitored heart rate and heart rate variability in nine competing horses during the dressage, show jumping, and cross-country phases of an FEI Eventing World Challenge, capturing both exertion and recovery data to build a comprehensive picture of their cardiovascular and autonomic responses. By tracking these parameters across the entire competition day—rather than isolating individual phases—the researchers were able to identify how successive exercise bouts and fatigue patterns affected the horses' ability to recover and regulate their autonomic function. These findings provide practitioners with objective markers of how well individual horses manage the cumulative stress of competition, potentially helping farriers, veterinarians and coaches identify those at greater risk of injury or metabolic compromise before problems become acute. Understanding these autonomic signatures could inform decisions around pacing strategies, recovery protocols between phases, and fitness conditioning, whilst offering early warning signs that a horse may require intervention to maintain welfare during demanding competition schedules.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •HR and HRV monitoring during eventing can provide objective data on autonomic stress across different phases—useful for identifying horses at risk of fatigue or metabolic compromise
- •Recovery patterns between phases may help identify which discipline phases pose greatest cardiovascular demand and inform conditioning strategies
- •Continuous cardiac monitoring during competition offers potential for early detection of distress before clinical signs become apparent
Key Findings
- •Heart rate and heart rate variability were successfully monitored across all three phases of FEI eventing competition in 9 horses
- •Autonomic responses differed across dressage, cross-country, and show jumping phases with varying recovery profiles
- •One horse was eliminated during competition, indicating significant physiological or physical challenge during the event