Effect of vaquejada exercise on the physiological and biochemical profiles of sporadic competitors and atletic horses

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of a cycle of three races as a part of the vaquejada test, on the serum biochemistry of horses that compete sporadically and athletic horses. Fourteen Quarter Horses was evaluated: group 1 (G1), with seven horses from the region that competed sporadically and group 2 (G2), with seven horses that competed regulary and were transported for >200 km. The physiological and serum biochemistry parameters were evaluated before exercise (M0) and after a cycle of three races of the vaquejada test: immediately after (M1); 30 min (M2) and 120 min (M3) after. Wilcoxon test was used to assess differences between the groups and Friedman test for moment effects, with a significance level of 5%. There was increase in M1 compared with M0 for heart and respiratory rate in G2, and rectal temperature in G1. The exercise transiently changed most of the biochemical parameters, with significant diferences for uric acid in M1, albumin and lactate in M2, compared with M0, in G2. The metabolic response to exercise was different between the groups for the following variables: uric acid, total protein, albumin, unsaturated iron binding capacity, and transferrin saturation index. It was concluded that physiological and biochemical changes induced by Vaquejada are light, transiente, and within the normal range. The changes were more expressive in athletic horses that compete regularly and are transported, demonstrating the need for studies that establish specific training and management protocols for this category.