Jumping Horses Research Articles

Quantifiable performance indices of warmblood jumping horses following colic surgery

Quantifiable performance indices of warmblood jumping horses following colic surgery

Genetic analysis of geometric morphometric 3D visuals of French jumping horses

BackgroundFor centuries, morphology has been the most commonly selected trait in horses. A 3D video recording enabled us to obtain the coordinates of 43 anatomical landmarks of 2089 jumping horses. Generalized Procrustes analysis provided centered and scaled coordinates that were independent of volume, i.e., centroid size. Genetic analysis of these coordinates (mixed model; 17,994 horses in the pedigree) allowed us to estimate a variance–covariance matrix. New phenotypes were then defined: the “summarized shapes”. They were obtained by linear combinations of Procrustes coordinates with, as coefficients, the eigenvectors of the genetic variance–covariance matrix. These new phenotypes were used in genome-wide association analyses (GWAS) and multitrait genetic analysis that included judges’ scores and competition results of the horses.ResultsWe defined ten shapes that represented 86% of the variance, with heritabilities ranging from 0.14 to 0.42. Only one of the shapes was found to be genetically correlated with competition success (rg = − 0.12, standard error = 0.07). Positive and negative genetic correlations between judges’ scores and shapes were found. This means that the breeding objective defined by judges involves improvement of anatomical parts of the body that are negatively correlated with each other. Known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on chromosomes 1 and 3 for height at withers were significant for centroid size but not for any of the shapes. As these SNPs were not associated with the shape that distinguished rectangular horses from square horses (with height at withers greater than body length), we hypothesize that these SNPs play a role in the overall development of horses, i.e. in height, width, and length but not in height at withers when standardized to unit centroid size. Several other SNPs were found significant for other shapes.ConclusionsThe main application of 3D morphometric analysis is the ability to define the estimated breeding value (EBV) of a sire based on the shape of its potential progeny, which is easier for breeders to visualize in a single synthetic image than a full description based on linear profiling. However, the acceptance of these new phenotypes by breeders and the complex nature of summarized shapes may be challenging. Due to the low genetic correlations of the summarized shapes with jumping performance, the methodology did not allow indirect performance selection criteria to be defined.

Cardiac Biomarker Responses to Acute Exercise in Show Jumping Horses.

Cardiac biomarkers are useful to identify cardiac muscle variations in human and equine medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effect of a bout of show jumping training on serum activity of cardiac and muscular biomarkers in healthy athletic horses to include cardiac troponin (cTnI), myoglobin (MB), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Serum samples were collected from seven Italian Saddle horses (three geldings and four mares; 10 ± 3 years; mean body weight 480 ±70 kg), regularly trained for show jumping at rest, immediately after exercise (show jumping simulate trial) and during the recovery period (30 and 60 min after exercise). ANOVA was applied to all parameters, and Pearson correlation coefficient t (r) evaluated. Immediately after exercise there was an increase in cTnI (P < .01), MB (P < .01), and CPK (P < .005); a positive correlation between cTnI and AST and between AST and LDH; and a negative correlation between cTnI and ALT and between ALT and CPK. Thirty minutes after exercise, there was a positive correlation between AST and ALT and between AST and LDH, while 60 mintues after exercise, there was a positive correlation between MB and LDH and a negative correlation between AST and CPK. The results obtained demonstrate the cardiac and muscular response to short-term intense exercise show jumping exercise.

Effect of breed and embryo sexing on the efficiency of a commercial OPU-ICSI program in mares

Breeders of Polo pony mares favour females over males as their sport performance is shown to be superior. This sex preference in breeding Polo horses is a challenge for stud veterinarians as sex sorted semen in horses is not available commercially due to technical difficulties. An alternative is the sexing of embryos. Ovum pick-up (OPU) and ICSI have become popular in show jumping (SJ) horses over the last decade, with the overall efficiency of the process improving steadily, with reported embryo per OPU session of > 1.5 embryos. The in vitro production of embryos not only allows a higher yield of blastocysts compared with in vivo derived embryos, but also their cryopreservation with similar pregnancy results similar to those achieved with fresh embryos. In addition, the possibility of sexing embryos before freezing would be an attractive option to the Polo breeding industry. Although there are several reports on the efficiency of an OPU-ICSI commercial program in SJ, information in Polo mares OPU-ICSI programs is scarce. The objective of this study was to describe the OPU-ICSI outcomes of a commercial program of Polo mares (n=77 cycles) compared to show jumping mares (n=73 cycles), including the likelihood of pregnancy after transferring sexed cryopreserved embryos. A general linear model of variance was created to test the effect of breed (Polo vs. SJ)on antral follicles available for aspiration, recovered oocytes, and number of embryos per OPU-ICSI session. Furthermore, the effect of embryo sexing prior to cryopreservation on pregnancy rate was determined by chi-square test. All OPUs were performed in the UK and oocytes were shipped to an external laboratory in Europe. Pre-implantation gender diagnosis was performed by extended embryo culture and sexing of extruded cells in 53 embryos of Polo mares. Polo mares had a lower (P<0.001) number of punctured follicles and recovered oocytes (14.1±0.6 and 8.2±0.5) compared to SJ mares (19.2±0.7 and 11.0±0.5), respectively. The mean number of embryos per OPU-ICSI session was similar (P>0.1) for SJ and Polo mares (1.38 and 1.41, respectively). Embryos derived from SJ mares (15/22, 68%) were more likely (P<0.05) to develop into a pregnancy than embryos from Polo mares (22/51, 43%). The ongoing pregnancy rate of sexed embryos (6/26, 23.1%) was lower (P=0.016) than that of unsexed embryos (14/25, 56%) from Polo mares, which explains the overall lower pregnancy outcome of Polo compared to SJ mares (unsexed embryos). In conclusion, Polo mares had a lower antral follicle pool than SJ mares, but their oocytes showed similar developmental potential to those of SJ mares. Embryo sexing decreased the chances of having a viable pregnancy after an OPU-ICSI session.

Analisis Tabuhan Babun pada Iringan Tari Kuda Gipang di Sanggar Asam Rimbun Desa Pantai Hambawang Timur

The purpose of this study was to describe the pattern of the typical Baboon wasp/Banjar dialect to the accompaniment of the Kuda Gipang dance at the Asam Rimbun studio through sound study and notation. Qualitative descriptive research methods are used as a reference in implementing data collection techniques by interviewing, observing and documenting. The data that has been obtained is then analyzed to get the conclusion of the research findings in the form of the Banjar baboon notation. In this study, the Kuda Gipang Igal Anak dance was the sample. This activity lasts for 4-5 months. The results of the study are as follows: The Variety of Movements in the Kuda Gipang Dance at the Asam Rimbun Art Studio, is very much based on the rhythm of wasps of baboons. There are 11 distributions of wasp patterns based on the variety of motions, namely (1) Initial punch, (2) Timangan 1, (3) Timangan 2, (4) Kijik Punch, (5) Lagurih Punch, (6) Kapak Taguk Punch, (7) Punch Jumping Horse, (8) Horse Ax Punch, (9) Hunjal Punch, (10) Dump, (11) Sambah Dump. Baboons have Pambaduk and Rumpiang parts. There are 10 basic sound colors for baboons, 3 of which are produced by Pambaduk, 5 for Rumpiang and 2 for Pambaduk and Rumpiang Combined. Each pattern has 8 beats, using a 4/4 time scale, where there are 4 beats/counts in each bar -his. The. The baboon tabuhan in the Kuda Gipang Igal Anak dance has a role in harmony between the movements and the dance accompaniment and requires harmonization between the dancers and the musicians.

Dietary Supplementation with Boswellia serrata, Verbascum thapsus, and Curcuma longa in Show Jumping Horses: Effects on Serum Proteome, Antioxidant Status, and Anti-Inflammatory Gene Expression.

Intense exercise can cause inflammation and oxidative stress due to the production of reactive oxygen species. These pathophysiological processes are interdependent, and each one can induce the other, creating a vicious circle. A placebo-controlled blind study was carried out in show jumping horses (n. 16) to evaluate the effects of a commercial dietary supplement (Dolhorse® N.B.F. Lanes srl, Milan, Italy) containing Verbascum thapsus leaf powder (1.42%), Curcuma longa (14.280 mg/kg), and Boswellia serrata (Roxb ex Colebr) (14.280 mg/kg) extracts. Before and after 10 days of dietary supplementation, blood samples were collected to evaluate the protein levels, antioxidants, and inflammatory responses by proteomic analysis or real-time Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (real-time RT-PCR). A total of 36 protein spots, connected to 29 proteins, were modulated by dietary supplementation, whereas real-time RT-PCR revealed a significant downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1α (p < 0.05) and interleukin-6 (0.005), toll-like receptor 4 (p < 0.05), and IKBKB (p < 0.05) in supplemented sport horses. Immunoglobulin chains, gelsolin, plasminogen, vitamin D binding protein, apolipoprotein AIV, and filamin B were overexpressed, whereas haptoglobin, α-2-HS-glycoprotein, α2-macroglobulin, afamin, amine oxidase, 60S acidic ribosomal protein, and complement fragments 3, 4, and 7 were reduced. No effect was observed on the antioxidant defense systems. The present results suggest this phytotherapy may reinforce the innate immune responses, thus representing a valid adjuvant to alleviate inflammation, which is a pathophysiological process in sport horses.

Monitoring Performance in Show Jumping Horses: Validity of Non-specific and Discipline-specific Field Exercise Tests for a Practicable Assessment of Aerobic Performance

Show jumping is a highly specialized equestrian discipline that requires technical skill but also power and fitness. Monitoring the horses’ aerobic performance is therefore essential in order to verify whether the training has induced the desired cardiovascular and muscular adaptations. This study therefore aimed at evaluating the validity of non-specific and discipline-specific field exercise tests for objective evaluation of aerobic performance in show jumpers. For this purpose, data obtained from horses competing at Junior and Young Rider level during show jumping competitions as well as field exercise tests were retrospectively analyzed. The effect of the level of difficulty, the horses’ age, the penalty score and the horses’ previous level of performance on blood lactate concentrations after show jumping competitions (100 observations in 49 horses) was evaluated by linear mixed effects models (horse as random effect). Estimated marginal means significantly increased from 140 (4.1 mmol/L) to 150 cm (5.2 mmol/L) classes (P = 0.02). Furthermore, post-exercise lactate values significantly increased with the horses’ age (P = 0.001). Another group of 12 horses performed a standardized incremental field exercise test on a track (SETtrack), a standardized show jumping course (SETcourse) and a standardized grid exercise (SETgrid) each on three consecutive days. Indices of aerobic performance, derived from the SETtrack [velocity at a heart rate of 140 bpm (V140) and at a lactate concentration of 2 mmol/L (VLa2)] were highly correlated with heart rate (V140: r = −0.75, P = 0.005; VLa2: r =−0.66, P = 0.02) and lactate (V140: r = −0.73, P = 0.02; VLa2: r = −0.72, P = 0.02) in response to SETcourse as well as heart rate during SETgrid (V140: r = −0.73, P = 0.02; VLa2: r = −0.76, P = 0.01). Subjective rating of muscular fatigue was significantly correlated to the mean heart rate during SETcourse (r = −0.64, P = 0.05) and SETgrid (r = −0.74, P = 0.02) but not to the aerobic indices calculated from SETtrack. Besides non-specific incremental field tests, performance monitoring in show jumpers should therefore also include discipline-specific tests that more closely reflect the internal load induced by show jumping competitions.

Cost of transport, but not gluteus medius and red blood cells monocarboxylate-transporters density differentiated Brazilian Sport Horses at two performance levels

Cost of transport (COT) and monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) could affect the ability to perform fast actions during a jumping discipline. This study aimed to compare the COT and evaluate the MCT1, MCT4, and their auxiliary protein CD147 content in the gluteus medius and RBCs of Brazilian sport horses (BH), a breed developed for jumping competitions, with low-level (LL) or intermediate-level (IL) jumping capacities. The physiological difference between the horses was assessed by an incremental jump test (IJT), in which the cost of lactate (COTLAC) and heart rate (COTHR) of running were determined for each animal by the ratio between each variable and the running speed. Western blotting was performed on muscle and RBC membranes to quantify MCT1, MCT4, and CD147. IL showed lower COTLAC and COTHR than LL at all jumping heights. The amount of MCT1, MCT4, and CD147 found in muscle and RBCs were not dependent on performance level. Muscle MCT4 and MCT1 were correlated positively with CD147. We conclude that the relatively small differences between performances did not relevantly influence MCT expression in BH. While MCT analyses are inaccessible for most trainers and veterinarians, the cost of transport measurements is a feasible and sensitive tool to distinguish intermediate and low-level jumping horses.

Muscle Function and Kinematics during Submaximal Equine Jumping: What Can Objective Outcomes Tell Us about Athletic Performance Indicators?

Simple SummaryJumping represents the most popular equestrian discipline. However, traditional selection and training strategies for jumping horses have not been validated using instrumented performance analyses to scientifically inform the optimization of athlete selection, training and competitive performance. We aimed to quantify the role of muscle function during the equine jump, its relationship to athletic performance indicators, and how this objective information can inform equestrian selection and training practices. We used three-dimensional kinematic and surface electromyography data to quantify movement and muscle activation, respectively, from horses executing a submaximal jump. Horses were grouped based on their ability to raise the center of mass during the jump suspension—a fundamental, objective measure of jumping performance. Kinematic data were used to objectively measure equestrian-derived preferences for movement traits related to impulsion, engagement and joint articulation. Horses that raised the center of mass highest during jumping displayed muscle activation and movement strategies that indicate a greater ability to rapidly generate hindlimb muscular force during jump take-off. These findings provide objective support for equestrian preferences related to the generation of engagement, impulsion and hindlimb muscle power when selecting and training jumping horses and justify their prioritization as objective performance indicators for the sport of equine jumping.Selection and training practices for jumping horses have not yet been validated using objective performance analyses. This study aimed to quantify the differences and relationships between movement and muscle activation strategies in horses with varying jump technique to identify objective jumping performance indicators. Surface electromyography (sEMG) and three-dimensional kinematic data were collected from horses executing a submaximal jump. Kinematic variables were calculated based on equestrian-derived performance indicators relating to impulsion, engagement and joint articulation. Horses were grouped using an objective performance indicator—center of mass (CM) elevation during jump suspension (ZCM). Between-group differences in kinematic variables and muscle activation timings, calculated from sEMG data, were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) evaluated between-group differences in time and amplitude-normalized sEMG waveforms. Relationships between movement and muscle activation were evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficients. Horses with the greatest ZCM displayed significantly (p < 0.05) shorter gluteal contractions at take-off, which were significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with a faster approach and more rapid hindlimb shortening and CM vertical displacement and velocity, as well as shorter hindlimb stance duration at take-off. Findings provide objective support for prioritizing equestrian-derived performance indicators related to the generation of engagement, impulsion and hindlimb muscle power when selecting or training jumping horses.

Effects of horse age and the number of riders on equine competitive performance

This article focuses on interspecies communication between rider and jumper horse (show jumpers), as well as its effect on equine sport performance, on the basis of individual differences of riding style and skill. Its primary goal was to discover the consequences of the possible differences in horse performance due to the number of riders who have changed over the course of the horse performing career. Unfortunately, the data used do not allow to determine whether the change of rider also meant a change in the social environment with all contexts (moving the horse to other stable, among other horses, and the use of other training methods). Nevertheless, the change of rider represents a number of individual deviations in the rider's effect on the horse. Riders communicate in the same language, but each rider has a different “handwriting.”The secondary goal of this study is to identify the age at which a competitive jumping horse reaches its maximum competitive performance. A total of 3,097 horse competitive result histories were used in the study, covering participation in 277,198 jumping competitions.The database was divided into three groups as per the competitive success of horses. The data were collected by the Czech Association of Horse Breeders Warmblood on the basis of all horse starts in horse jumping competitions during the years 1997-2009.Within these groups, horses were compared depending on whether they were ridden by one to two riders, three to four riders, and five or more riders over the course of their careers. The results show that among most horse groups their peak performance, represented by the highest level of competition difficulty, was reached in their tenth year of age. In all groups of horses, divided as per their competitive success rates, the best performance was achieved by those with a maximum of two riders over the course of their career. The results clearly speak in favor of both the social stability of horses and performance success of those horses affected by a less frequent change of the rider. It could be stated in accordance with achieved sports results that fewer riders over the course of a horse's career are for jumping horse’s better variant.

Radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging of a dystrophic mineralization on the oblique sesamoidean ligament in a jumping horse. Twenty months follow-up

Mineralization of the anatomical structures involved in the limb movement of horses has been reported to induce lameness and interfere with athletic performance. A 4-year-old jumping horse in sport activity was reported at Veterinary Hospital of University of São Paulo, with mild lameness and a mineralized oblique distal sesamoidean ligament (ODSL) of the left forelimb, revealed by a purchase radiographic and ultrasound examination. Mineralization is more common in tendons than ligaments. This report calls for attention to these structures when performing image exams, even in mild lameness. Long-term favorable follow-up by ultrasonographic and radiographic examination showed that the severe ligament injury in this case did not decrease the athletic activity until the present day.

The Effect of Educational Exercises on Developing Upgrade Step (hopscotch) of Jumping to Perform the Open and annex Jump Skills on the Jumping Horse Device

The Effect of Educational Exercises on Developing Upgrade Step (hopscotch) of Jumping to Perform the Open and annex Jump Skills on the Jumping Horse Device

Differential Expression of Monocarboxylate Transporter 1 and Ancillary Protein CD147 in Red Blood Cells of Show Jumping Horses

We compare the expression levels of the lactate transporter complex consisting of the lactate transporter, monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1), and its ancillary protein, cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147), in the membranes of red blood cells (RBCs) from two breeds of jumping horses and associate the expression levels of these proteins with their jumping ability. The expression levels of MCT1 and CD147 proteins on the membranes of RBCs collected from 30 show jumping horses of two different breeds were quantified: the Brazilian Sport Horses (n = 17) and the European Warmbloods (n = 13). The levels of MCT1 and CD147 in the RBC membranes were measured by Western blot using horse-specific antibodies. Statistical analyses included unpaired Student t-test and Chi-squared test. According to the expression levels of MCT1 and CD147 proteins, 88% of the Brazilian Sport Horses were categorized as high lactate transporters and the remaining 12% as low lactate transporters. The opposite was found for the European Warmbloods, where most animals (77%) were classified as low lactate transporters and the remaining animals (23%) were classified as high lactate transporters. Brazilian Sport Horses express statistically significantly higher levels of CD147 and MCT1 than European Warmbloods. The classification of horses considering the expression of proteins involved in the ability to transport lactate through the complex MCT1-CD147 seems to be breed dependent, with horses that are able to jump higher obstacles showing lower expression of the MCT1-CD147 complex in their RBCs.

Occurrence of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in show jumping horses

Pulmonary haemorrhage occurs in sport horses performing high-intensity exercise, but the factors involved in the occurrence of pulmonary haemorrhage in jumping horses have not been elucidated. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of pulmonary haemorrhage and factors involved in competitive jumping horses. Fifty adult jumping horses competing in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, were included. The horses were divided into two groups based on jump height at competition: Low group (LG, n=26), with jump height between 1.00 and 1.20m, and High group (HG, n=24), with jump height between 1.30 and 1.50m. Physical examination was performed before and after competition, and airway endoscopy and tracheal wash (TW) were performed 1h after competition.Heart rate (HR; P<0.010), respiratory rate (RR; P<0.010), rectal temperature (RT; P<0.010), and frequency of endoscopic observations of blood in the tracheal lumen (P<0.013) were significantly higher in HG than in LG. TW cytology was not different between the two groups. Incidence of pulmonary haemorrhage was positively correlated with jump height (r2=0.40, P<0.0001), post-exercise HR (r2=0.31, P<0.0001), and post-exercise RR (r2=0.19, P<0.002). In conclusion, pulmonary haemorrhage in jumping horses was associated with the level of performance. Further studies on the pathophysiology of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in this type of horses are required.

Kinetics and distal limb kinematics of the forelimb of 3 jumping horses at landing after a jump: effects of the fence’s height

Landing after a jump is the most strenuous phase for the forelimbs of jumping horses. However quantifying forces between the hooves and the ground, or measuring limb joint angles, at landing, has b...

External forces and impulses applied to the hind limb of 3 jumping horses at take-off-effects of the fence’s height

Show jumping is one of the most popular disciplines among equestrian sports. The prominent role of the horse’s hind limbs during the push-off phase at take-off was analysed by kinematics, but the c...

Electrocardiographic and Blood Parameters in Show Jumping Horses Submitted to a Field Test Under Tropical Conditions

Little research has been done monitoring fitness of show jumping horses in field conditions. Therefore, there is a need to define fitness indices, including cardiac evaluation, for horses used in such a technical competition under tropical conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of a field exercise test on blood and electrocardiographic parameters of show jumping horses. Twelve horses, 11.3 ± 4.1 years old and 490.4 ± 33.9 kg, were enrolled in the study. Blood sampling and heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, and body temperature measurement were performed before (T0) and immediately after exercise (T1) and at 30 minutes (T2) and 120 minutes (T3) of recovery. Packed cell volume, red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), and plasma lactate were evaluated. Electrocardiographic variables were analyzed at T0 and T1. All variables were analyzed for normality through Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, and comparisons were made using the Tukey test for hematological variables and t-test for electrocardiographic parameters, considering P ≤ .05. Exercise test significantly altered all physiological and blood parameters, except for AST, with higher values recorded at T1. Rhythm analysis revealed a sinus rhythm in 50.0% of horses, with mean HR of 31.5 ± 5.8 beats/min at rest, and sinus tachycardia in 75.0% of horses, with mean HR of 76.9 ± 15.2 beats/min after exercise. Other findings included significant reductions in P wave and QRS durations and PR and QT intervals, and significant increases in P wave amplitude and HR. The field jump test led to significant alterations in the studied variables. These results can be used to evaluate athletic conditioning of show jumping horses trained under tropical conditions.

Conflict Behavior in Show Jumping Horses: A Field Study

The study objective was to determine if there was a relationship between behavioral and physiological stress measures in sport horses and their performance. Nineteen horses competed in show jumping events (6 housed at the center and 13 transported), while 5 horses at home training served as controls. The competition horses were assigned to “light” (obstacles ≤100 cm) and “difficult” class (obstacles >100 cm). The conflict behaviors (CBs/min) in two rounds were calculated. Total faults were classified as “less faults” (≤one fault) or “more faults” (>one fault). Salivary cortisol concentration (SCC) before the first round (SCC-SP1), 20 minutes (SCC-SP2), and 60 minutes after the second round (SCC-SP3) was measured. The increase (SCC-in) and decrease (SCC-dec) in SCC were calculated. No effect of competition was found. Horses that waited longer for the second round had greater CB (P < .05). Conflict behavior was more frequent in horses from the “more faults” (P = .05) and “difficult” (a tendency; P = .06) classes. No correlation of CB with SCC was found. SCC-SP2 was greater in “more faults” (P < .01) and “transported” (P < .01) horses. Competition increased the SCC (P < .05), whereas SCC-SP2 was greater in less successful horses (P < .05). Transported horses and horses with more faults had the greatest SCC-SP2 and SCC-dec (P < .05). Our results suggest that horses which presented stress response were also less successful in competition. The adoption of effective methods to reduce transport and competition stress could enhance welfare and performance of sport horses during competition.

Some Remarks on Repeatability and Heritability of the Bascule Technique in Jumping Horses

The genetic characteristics of jumping enable a correct selection program. Linear parameters of the jump were measured by video image analysis with and without the rider. Repeatability and heritability were calculated based on the statistical model using DMUAI, including effects of the year, month of training, obstacle height, horse conformation, and rider (if necessary). The highest repeatabilities were noted for the position of head and reached 0.45–0.56 for head position in comparison to withers and 0.48–0.55 in comparison to croup. Results varied between parameters with and without riders. Repeatability under rider was slightly higher, the opposite trend was observed in heritability. It seems that the relation of head to the rest of the body has higher heritability than the height of the head above the obstacle itself.

Differential Expression of Monocarboxylate Transporter 1 and Ancillary Protein CD147 in Red Blood Cells of Show Jumping Horses

We compare the expression levels of the lactate transporter complex consisting of the lactate transporter, monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1), and its ancillary protein, cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147), in the membranes of red blood cells (RBCs) from two breeds of jumping horses and associate the expression levels of these proteins with their jumping ability. The expression levels of MCT1 and CD147 proteins on the membranes of RBCs collected from 30 show jumping horses of two different breeds were quantified: the Brazilian Sport Horses (n = 17) and the European Warmbloods (n = 13). The levels of MCT1 and CD147 in the RBC membranes were measured by western blot using horse-specific antibodies. Statistical analyses included unpaired Student t test and chi-squared test. According to the expression levels of MCT1 and CD147 proteins, 88% of the Brazilian Sport Horses were categorized as high lactate transporters (HTs) and the remaining 12% as low lactate transporters (LTs). The opposite was found for the European Warmbloods, where most animals (77%) were classified as LTs and the remaining animals (23%) were classified as HTs. Brazilian Sport Horses express statistically significantly higher levels of CD147 and MCT1 than European Warmbloods. The classification of horses considering the expression of proteins involved in the ability to transport lactate through the complex MCT1-CD147 seems to be breed dependent, with horses that are able to jump higher obstacles showing lower expression of the MCT1-CD147 complex in their RBCs.