Effects of graded exercise load on variations of certain physiological parameters in Lipizzan horses during riding – a pilot study

Scientifically sound studies investigating the influence of riders on the physiological responses of riding horses are rare. Therefore, this pilot study was aimed to investigate the physiological changes in 6 purebred Lipizzan horses during an exercise test (ExT) in an indoor arena performed by a male and a female rider with different body weights and experience levels. Respiratory rate, rectal and body surface temperature, lactate, creatinine, and cortisol concentrations were measured before (BEx) and after exercise tests (AEx) with a graded workload, while heart rate and speed were recorded telemetrically during the ExT. Measured values were within a range for warm-blooded animals and increased significantly ( to ) in both riders AEx. BST values were highest in the cranial regions of the horses, followed by the caudal and distal body regions (). The differences in values were insignificant () between the two ExTs, except the higher heart rate between the male and the female rider (P < 0.05). The results of this study indicate that there are no influences of rider characteristics on the physiological responses of riding horses and point to the importance of further research in the field of equine exercise testing, sports medicine, and animal welfare, which will also provide necessary knowledge for the conservation and development of the Lipizzan breed.