SERUM CORTISOL VARIATION OF SPORT HORSES IN RELATION WITH THE LEVEL OF TRAINING AND EFFORT INTENSITY

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine the influence of physical effort on serum cortisol values at horses in relation with physic training level and competition experience. Having in view the two parameters and the equine sport types, the horses have been divided in four groups: - group I and III , horses with a mean physic-training and a reduced competition experience - group II and IV , horses with a very good physic training and competition experience The horses from the first and second groups competed in the cross phase of the complete riding test, and those from the third and fourth groups competed in the two-hand marathon test. The results obtained in this experiment showed that the serum cortisol values were significantly increased (P<0,001) after effort at horses from I and III groups compared to the values obtained at horses from II and IV groups. The serum cortisol had higher values at the horses involved in the marathon test compared to those involved in the cross test, anyhow of physic training level and competition experience.