Equine energetics. II. Energy expenditure in horses during submaximal exercise

Abstract

Energy expenditure was measured in four geldings (433 to 520 kg) during submaximal exercise on a racetrack using a mobile open-circuit indirect respiration calorimeter. A total of 304 5-min measurements of O2 consumed and CO2 produced were taken. Measurements were made with and without riders. The amount of energy expended by the horses was exponentially related to speed and was proportional to the body weight of the riderless horse or the combined weight of the horse plus rider and tack. Total energy expended by the four horses walking, trotting, cantering was best described by the equation: Y = e3.02 + .0065X where Y = energy expended (cal X kg-1 X min-1) and X = speed (m/min). Digestible energy (DE) required above maintenance was calculated as (Formula: see text).