Abstract
An interesting aspect of athlete horse management is connected with the effects of the profuse sweating required to maintain body temperature. The various aspects related to thermoregulation are discussed, with special reference to water and electrolyte losses. The effects of the sporadic or systematic administration of rehydrating supplements were examined in four trotters aged 3-4 years used in competitions. The horses performed three exercise tests simulating a 2,000 m race. At the time of the second and third test, the control diet (Test 1) also included a rehydrating supplement which subjects had been receiving for one day (Test 2) or 12 days (Test 3). Subjects were weighed (at rest, after the race and 24 hr later) and blood samples were collected (at rest, immediately after the race; 20 min after the race, and 24 hr thereafter). Changes in weight and in blood parameters (pH, packed cell volume (PCV), lactic acid, Na+, K+, Cl-, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), antioxidant power (AOP) indicate a favourable effect of rehydrating supplements on muscle condition, especially when administered systematically.
