Abstract
Simple SummaryEquine piroplasmosis (EP) is a common infectious disease in southern Europe. To better understand the impact and influence of EP on the performance of endurance horses, we collected blood samples from national elite horses during different endurance competitions. The horses were tested against piroplasmosis, and several blood parameters related to performance were also evaluated. It seems that horses without clinical signs of piroplasmosis can participate without performance impairment in competitions of up to 80 km. Although it is recommended that longer distance competitions should be further evaluated, this is the first step for decision-making by organizers and participants in this sport.Endurance is an increasingly popular equestrian sport. However, in southern Europe, there is a high prevalence of horses that are asymptomatic carriers of equine piroplasmosis (EP), a tick-borne disease that could affect their performance. This study aimed to evaluate the impact and influence of EP on the performance of endurance horses. Blood samples were collected from 40 horses in Extremadura, Spain, before and after a race, in different national elite horse endurance competitions. Hematological and biochemical parameters and EP seroprevalence were analysed by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The global seroprevalence of EP was 70%, with 27 horses testing positive for Theileria equi (67.5%) and three (7.5%) for Babesia caballi, with two of these horses (5%) positive for both. Approximately 82.5% of the horses (33 of 40) completed the competition, with no influence on performance or position achieved in those with subclinical parasitosis. There were also no significant differences in hematological or biochemical values between seropositive and seronegative horses. The data suggest that horses without clinical signs of EP can participate without performance impairment in competitions of up to 80 km. Although it is recommended that longer distance competitions should be further evaluated, this is the first step for decision-making by organizers and participants in this sport.
Highlights
Endurance is an equestrian discipline that has been expanding in recent years
There has been an increase in the number of studies aiming to understand the physiological mechanisms that occur in horses participating in endurance [2–4], as well as the risk factors that may be involved in the elimination of the competitions [5–11]
We aimed to conduct the first prospective study to assess the impact of piroplasmosis on the athletic performance of endurance horses and blood parameters, and whether these could be related to the elimination of horses during competition
Summary
Endurance is an equestrian discipline that has been expanding in recent years. It has been recognized and regulated by the Fédération Équestrian Internationale (FEI) since 1982, and it consists of running distances of 40, 80, 120, or 160 km [1]. The horses must pass several veterinary controls (vet-gate) that are performed by FEI-authorized veterinarians, or national-authorized veterinarians in national competitions, at the beginning of the race and the end of each stage (generally every 20 km). If a horse does not pass a veterinary inspection, it is automatically eliminated from the competition. There has been an increase in the number of studies aiming to understand the physiological mechanisms that occur in horses participating in endurance [2–4], as well as the risk factors that may be involved in the elimination of the competitions [5–11]. To the best of our knowledge, there are no studies on the influence of EP on these horses
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