Effect of Training on Respiratory rate and Body Temperature of Syrian Purebred Arabian Horses

Abstract

The Experiment was carried out in Damascus Horse race track- Al Demas- Damascus Countryside. The study included (21) Syrian Purebred Arabian horses at the age of 2-9 years divided into two groups according to their training backgrounds. Respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) values were taken over four periods (before, after, 30min and 60 min of exercise) in an interval of 15 days between exercises.

The results showed a significant effect (P<0.05) of training on respiratory rate but a non-significant effect (P>0.05) on the horses’ body temperature in the studied groups and within the studied exercise periods.

The experiment showed a positive correlation between the results achieved by the horses in races and the RR and RT recovery (return to base line levels in 30 minutes after exercise). Therefore, the respiratory rate and the recovery of RR and RT can be used as good indicators for fitness progress level in the Syrian Arabian horses during training.