Racehorses are among the most elite athletes in the equine industry. However, little is known about mitochondrial adaptations to race training. To test the hypothesis that race training increases mitochondrial biogenesis and capacity, gluteus medius samples were collected from Thoroughbred horses (11 geldings, 2 mares) before and after 14 wk of early race training. Horses […]

The relationship between heart rate (HR) and velocity under saddle or on a treadmill can be used to estimate cardiovascular fitness in horses. Whether HR data gathered during other types of exercise can be used to estimate fitness is unknown. This study hypothesized that HR data collected on a mechanical walker could be used to […]

The present study clearly demonstrates that daily intake of EPA and DHA from KER EO-3™ significantly increases RBC membrane EPA and DHA but that a similar amount of omega-3 in the form of ALA from flax (linseed) oil does not.  

In combination with exercise, nutrition is an essential component of managing horses with myopathies. The optimal feeding program for an individual is tailored to the diagnosis of a specific underlying myopathy. Exertional myopathies are defined by muscle pain and impaired performance during or after exercise. Exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER) represents a subset of exertional myopathies characterized […]

Research into the growth and development of Thoroughbreds managed on commercial breeding farms is reviewed in this paper. Because horses are not meat-producing animals, less research has been performed quantifying growth, muscle, and bone development than with other production animals. However, variations in growth and development are linked with both value and wastage in young […]

Proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole reduce nutrient digestibility in humans. This study determined the effect of omeprazole on the digestibility of diets containing limestone or marine-derived calcium (BMC) and to assess changes in blood parameters associated with gastric acid production and calcium status in horses. Thoroughbreds were used to evaluate the digestibility of diets containing […]

Performance in three-day event horses is influenced by the horse’s innate ability combined with its level of fitness. Heart rate (HR) and blood lactate have been routinely measured in laboratory settings to evaluate fitness and/or ability in horses. To investigate whether these measurements are useful in assessing performance during competition, 11 horses competing at the […]

Bone density and strength are important for the long-term health and soundness of performance horses. Marine-derived mineral complexes improve bone density and strength in laboratory animals and humans. Additionally, nutrients without established requirements in horses, such as boron, silicon and vitamin C, may affect bone health. This study evaluated the effect of feeding a supplement […]

Omeprazole (OM) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that inhibits gastric acid secretion in horses and is the most popular treatment for EGUS. PPIs are also widely used in humans to treat acid-related conditions and have been associated with a reduction in the digestibility of several nutrients, including protein, fat, calcium (Ca) and iron. This […]

Held every four years since 1990, the FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) are the major international championship for eight equestrian disciplines. Although the 2010 and 2018 editions of WEG took place in the U.S., the majority of the horses competing came from Europe and were fed feeds made by European manufacturers. In 2010, Kentucky Equine […]