Effect of load on preferred speed and cost of transport

Equine Research Center and Departments of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California 91768 Horses have a tendency to utilize a relatively narrow set of speeds near the middle of a much broader range they are capable of using wi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied physiology (1985) 2001-04, Vol.90 (4), p.1548-1551
Main Authors: Wickler, S. J, Hoyt, D. F, Cogger, E. A, Hall, K. M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Body Weight - physiology
Energy Metabolism - physiology
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Horses
Horses - physiology
Male
Metabolism
Oxygen
Oxygen Consumption - physiology
Running - physiology
Velocity
Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports
Weight-Bearing - physiology
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Summary:Equine Research Center and Departments of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California 91768 Horses have a tendency to utilize a relatively narrow set of speeds near the middle of a much broader range they are capable of using within a particular gait, i.e., a preferred speed. Possible explanations for this behavior include minimizing musculoskeletal stresses and maximizing metabolic economy. If metabolic economy (cost of transport, C T ) and preferred speeds are linked, then shifts in C T should produce shifts in preferred speed. To test this hypothesis, preferred speed was measured in trotting horses ( n  = 7) unloaded on the level and loaded with 19% of their body weight on the level. The preferred speed on the level was 3.33   ± 0.09 (SE) m/s, and this decreased to 3.13 ± 0.11 m/s when loaded. In both conditions (no load and load), the rate of O 2 consumption ( n  = 3) was a curvilinear function of speed that produced a minimum C T (i.e., speed at which trotting is most economical). When unloaded, the speed at which C T was minimum was very near the preferred speed. With a load, C T decreased and the minimum was also near the preferred speed of horses while carrying a load. metabolism; oxygen consumption; equine; horse
ISSN:8750-7587
1522-1601
DOI:10.1152/jappl.2001.90.4.1548