Standardized Exercise Test in Young Endurance Horses

Introduction The objective of this study was to validate a field standardized exercise test (SET) adapted for young endurance horses and to evaluate the effects of age/conditioning level on speed and heart rate values. Methods The study involved 31 horses of Arabian origin bred specifically for endurance and aged 4 yo (n = 11), 5 yo (n = 13) or 6 yo (n = 7). The SET consisted of a warm‐up, followed by 15 (4 yo), 30 (5 yo) or 45 (6 yo) minutes of canter at a comfortable steady speed, and finished with 500 meters of fast gallop. Heart rate (HR) was recorded continuously during the SET. The velocities at which HR reached 160 and 200 beats per minute (V160 and V200) were calculated by the linear regression of HR versus speed. Results All horses were able to complete the SET. Resting HR was higher in 4 y than in 5 y and 6 y (P