Energy Expenditure in Horses During Submaximal Exercise

Pagan, J.D. and H.F. Hintz. 1985. Energy expenditure in horses during submaximal exercise. In: Proc. 9th Equine Nutr. and Physiol. Soc. Symp. Michigan State University. pp. 182-187.

This experiment was conducted to measure the amount of energy expended by horses traveling at speeds up to 400 m/minute on a racetrack both with and without a rider, and to attempt to use these data to formulate feeding standards for horses performing submaximal exercise.

Four geldings were used in the study. The horses exercised on a track, both with and without a rider, and expired air was collected using a face-mask that allowed energy expenditure to be measure with a mobile modified open circuit indirect respiration calorimeter.

For all horses, more energy was expended when horses carried a rider. The amount of energy was related to speed and was also proportional to the body weight of the animal or the combined weight of the horse and rider. Fat is known to be the primary substrate for energy generation in horses during low intensity work. Using a value of 55 to 60% for the efficiency of utilization of digestible energy for submaximal work, these values can be used with a supplied equation to calculate the additional amount of digestible energy need by horses working at this level.

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