Effect of Lactate Minimum Speed-Guided Conditioning on Selected Blood Parameters of Horses.
Authors: Santos Maíra Moreira, Benvenuto Guilherme Vechiato, Ramos Gabriel Vieira, Titotto Angélica Cristina, Adão Milena Dos Santos, de Lacerda Luciana de Cenço Corrêa, Lisbôa Júlio Augusto Naylor, Lacerda-Neto José Corrêa de
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Lactate Minimum Speed-Guided Conditioning in Horses Conditioning protocols that improve cardiovascular efficiency and thermoregulatory control are essential for maintaining performance whilst minimising metabolic stress during exercise; this study examined whether training intensity guided by the lactate minimum speed (LMS) test could optimise blood homeostasis in ten Arabian horses over a six-week conditioning period. Using the LMS threshold determined from baseline exercise testing to prescribe training intensity, researchers measured blood lactate, osmolality and plasma volume at rest and during exercise tests before and after conditioning. Whilst group-level changes in LMS and lactate concentrations did not reach statistical significance, individual horses demonstrated improved lactate clearance in the post-conditioning exercise test, indicating enhanced aerobic capacity and metabolic efficiency. Blood osmolality remained stable across both testing phases despite exercise stress, suggesting that conditioning preserved the body's ability to regulate electrolyte balance and hydration status—a critical finding since osmotic control depends on integrated cardiovascular and renal responses. For equine practitioners designing conditioning programmes, these results support the practical value of LMS testing as a field tool for establishing training intensity thresholds, though the modest group-level improvements indicate that additional programme adjustments may be needed to optimise both performance gains and physiological adaptation in diverse populations.
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Practical Takeaways
- •LMS testing can be used to objectively set conditioning intensities for Arabian horses and potentially other breeds, improving training effectiveness
- •Conditioning programs guided by LMS produce adaptations that maintain blood osmolality stability during exercise, reducing risk of electrolyte imbalances during work
- •Monitor plasma volume stability as a practical indicator of successful conditioning; stable plasma volume suggests improved thermoregulatory control during exertion
Key Findings
- •Lactate minimum speed (LMS)-guided conditioning improved fitness with lower lactate production in post-conditioning exercise test (ET 2) compared to baseline (ET 1)
- •Blood osmolality remained unchanged between ET 1 and ET 2 despite conditioning, demonstrating effective osmotic blood balance homeostasis
- •Plasma volume remained stable after 6 weeks of conditioning, indicating improved cardiovascular stability and adaptation
- •LMS test showed individual increases and lactate decreases in horses but these were not statistically significant at group level