Reduced training distance and a forage-only diet did not limit race participation in young Standardbred horses

• Published in: Comparative exercise physiology Vol. 13; no. 4; pp. 265 - 272
• Main Authors: Ringmark, S, Roepstorff, L, Hedenström, U, Lindholm, A, Jansson, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wageningen Academic Publishers 01.01.2017
• Subjects: RESEARCH ARTICLE; forage; exercise distance; Standardbred trainers; race performance; interval training
• ISSN: 1755-2540; 1755-2559
• DOI: 10.3920/CEP170017

In this study, a survey was used to document the type and amount of training to which 2- to 3-year old Swedish Standardbred horses are generally subjected. Moreover, an experimental study was conducted to examine the ability to achieve conventional performance goals in 16 Standardbred geldings fed a forage-only diet and allocated to either a control training programme (C-group) or a training programme with the high intensity training distance reduced by 30% (R-group) from March as 2-year-olds until December as 3-year-olds. The median distance of high intensity training per week reported by professional trainers was 6,700 m. In experimental horses, planned high intensity training/week was 6,315 and 4,288 m in C-group and R-group, respectively. There was no difference between experimental training groups in ability to race. The proportion of experimental horses that passed a preparation race as 2-year-olds (100%) and qualified for races (94%) was greater (P<0.05) than for the rest of the cohort (77 and 63%), geldings of the same cohort (71 and 45%) and siblings of the experimental horses (84 and 69%). The proportion of horses that raced (56%) was equal to that of the cohort and of siblings (54%), but greater than the proportion of cohort geldings (35%, P<0.05). In experimental horses, total earnings until 7 years of age were correlated to exercise haematocrit as 3-year-olds (r=0.51, P>0.05) and number of races (r=0.55, P>0.05). Race record was correlated to VLa4 as 3-year-olds (r=-0.75, P<0.01). It was concluded that a forage-only diet and shorter distance of high intensity training than commonly used in Standardbred training in Sweden do not appear to restrict ability to qualify for races and race before 4 years of age.