Symmetry and regularity of recreation horse during treadmill training

Recognition of fatigue is important for treadmill conditioning. Characteristics of regularity as early fatigue indices in different training programs have not been thoroughly investigated. In presented study regularity and symmetry characteristics of recreation Warmbloods were investigated under varying treadmill training conditions -velocity, training period and position of treadmill. The hypothesis that greater regularity allows to find optimum velocity was stated. Warmblood recreation horses (14) were trained under identical environmental conditions on the treadmill in trot (for 1 month) and walk (for 6 months). Stride parameters were measured using a digital camera (50 fps) in walk after 1-and 6-month training and trot after 1-month training, at two gait velocities (5 and 6 km/h; 10 and 11 km/h) and for a 3% inclined (walk and trot) and 3 and 6% declined treadmill (walk). Data were collected for individual horses during ten successive strides. The effects of training, velocity, successive stride number and treadmill position were analysed using the analysis of variance. Front limb symmetry was significantly greater for trot at greater velocities (11 vs. 10 km/h). In walk the symmetry is generally lower after each training period (about 1-2%), while in trot symmetry and regularity were greater (2% and 4%). Symmetry and regularity of trot on an inclined treadmill were greater than for a horizontal treadmill (4% for symmetry and 2% for regularity). Obtained results of fatigue indicators are representative for recreation Warmblood horses at medium workload.

Automated summary

This study investigated the regularity and symmetry characteristics of recreation Warmblood horses under varying treadmill training conditions. The results showed that front limb symmetry was significantly greater at higher trot velocities, and that symmetry and regularity were generally lower in walks after each training period. Moreover, trotting on an inclined treadmill exhibited greater symmetry and regularity than on a horizontal treadmill. The findings provide insight into fatigue indicators for recreation Warmblood horses at medium workload.