The Physical Activity-Dependent Hematological and Biochemical Changes in School Horses in Comparison to Blood Profiles in Endurance and Race Horses.
Authors: Maśko Małgorzata, Domino Małgorzata, Jasiński Tomasz, Witkowska-Piłaszewicz Olga
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Researchers compared blood profiles across 15 school horses, 15 endurance horses and 15 race horses, measuring haemograms and key biochemical markers (CPK, AST, lactate and total serum protein) before exercise, immediately post-exercise and 30 minutes into recovery using standardised protocols. School horses demonstrated a mixed physiological response to moderate-intensity work: their white blood cell and creatine phosphokinase elevations aligned closely with endurance horses (40.9% and 76.4% increases respectively), whilst red blood cell, haemoglobin and haematocrit responses mirrored race horses more closely (increases of 19.1%, 18.6% and 19.4%). Blood lactate concentrations in school horses rose by 2775% — substantially higher than endurance horses (390%) but considerably lower than race horses (7526%), reflecting their intermediate workload intensity. The findings highlight that school horses possess a distinct haematological and biochemical profile that cannot be accurately interpreted using either endurance or racing reference standards, meaning practitioners relying solely on one comparative model risk missing clinically significant abnormalities in training response or recovery. For those monitoring school horses' fitness, health and training load, this study underscores the need for discipline-appropriate baseline values and recovery protocols rather than extrapolating from specialist performance horses.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Do not apply endurance or race horse blood reference ranges to school/pleasure horses—these animals have a distinct hematological response profile requiring their own baseline standards
- •Monitor WBC and CPK in school horses as training indicators similar to endurance horses, but track RBC, hemoglobin, and hematocrit more like race horses
- •Use lactate testing cautiously in school horses as their moderate-intensity work produces intermediate responses that may be misinterpreted if compared directly to either discipline
Key Findings
- •School horses showed WBC increase of 40.9% and CPK increase of 76.4%, similar to endurance horses
- •School horses demonstrated RBC (19.1%), HGB (18.6%), and HCT (19.4%) increases more similar to race horses
- •Lactate concentration increase in school horses (2775%) was intermediate between race horses (7526%) and endurance horses (390%)
- •Blood profiles of school horses do not fit either endurance or race horse models, requiring distinct monitoring protocols