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Abstract

There is an ongoing welfare debate regarding rider weight relative to horse size, but scientific knowledge is limited. This thesis aimed to examine the association between body measurements, and both subjectively and physiologically assessed weight carrying capacity in Icelandic horses. Further aims were to investigate whether weight carrying capacity can be estimated with an unridden standardised treadmill exercise test (SET) and to evaluate the effect of training on weight carrying capacity. Body measurements and body condition score (BCS) were collected in horses at breed evaluation field tests (BEFTh) and in tour riding and school horses. Sixteen hoses performed a SET and a ridden weight test, carrying 20 %, 25 %, 30 % and 35 % of their body weight (BW) in each step, respectively. Another 14 horses performed the weight carrying test before and after a 7-week unridden (n=7) or ridden (n=7) training period. Heart rate (HR) was measured during exercise, and blood samples were collected during exercise tests for analysis of plasma lactate concentration. BEFTh had a greater difference between height at withers and height at back and croup, a less difference between height at croup and back, and a lower BCS than TRh. Height was positively correlated with subjective weight carrying capacity. There was a large individual variation in physiological response to weight carrying, and several horses never reached the anaerobic threshold. Chest width was positively correlated with BW-ratio at the anaerobic threshold, and an “uphill” conformation, straight backline, and smaller hock circumference were also associated with greater weight carrying capacity. Speed at plasma lactate concentration 3 mmol/L at the SET was positively correlated with the BWR at a HR of 180 bpm at the weight carrying test. No other physiological parameters were correlated between the tests, and the SET used in this thesis might not be applicable in estimating weight carrying capacity. Plasma lactate concentration tended to be higher for the unridden training group and lower for the ridden group, after training, compared with before, indicating that ridden training is beneficial for weight carrying capacity.

Keywords

rider weight; exercise test; body measurements; tour riding; plasma lactate; weight carrying capacity; performance

Published in

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Sueciae
2026, number: 2026:22
Publisher: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

SLU Authors

UKÄ Subject classification

Medical Bioscience

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.54612/a.p1ftlamrgq
  • ISBN: 978-91-8124-239-3
  • eISBN: 978-91-8124-269-0

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/146197