Research on the Factors Affecting the Performance of Sport Horses—Second Edition

Dear Colleagues,

In this new issue of the Animals journal, we welcome the submission of original clinical research or reviews on equine exercise physiology and sports medicine, regarding the following topics: 1) physical fitness assessment; 2) implementation of measures, strategies, and techniques to enhance sports performance; 3) use of innovative diagnostic techniques for performance loss; 4) studies regarding horse–rider interactions; 5) welfare in equine sports.

Horses are incredible athletes, being able to perform exercises of different duration and intensity requiring great technical skills, in a perfect combination of endurance, speed and strength. The assessment of fitness is essential in order to design and modify a training program that highlights the greatest athletic potential and limits the unnecessary repetition of exercises that lead to mechanical and functional overload. In recent years, the application of various management, training, nutritional, and physiotherapeutic techniques has reached great relevance in an attempt to enhance fitness. On many of these therapies or strategies, in-depth research is needed to confirm their effects or to evaluate various application protocols or procedures.

Despite the increase in our knowledge regarding the physiology and pathophysiology of exercise, the reduction in sports performance is very common in these athletes and the diagnosis of the underlying reasons is a very relevant clinical area and sometimes a challenge for the clinician. Improvements in diagnostic, laboratory, imaging techniques and the development of portable techniques, available for use in a field setting, have led to more accurate diagnoses. In addition to the numerous causes of lameness, the limitation of aerobic capacity, associated with one or several steps in the oxygen transport chain, and/or in the anaerobic capacity, should be evaluated in any sport horse, depending on the discipline in which the horse competes. In addition, equestrian exercise is carried out by a rider–horse couple; thus, the rider is essential for achieving competitive success. In addition, in this Special Issue, we consider studies on welfare in the sport horse to be relevant.

Dr. Francisco Requena
Dr. Ana Muñoz
Prof. Dr. Estrella Agüera
Guest Editors

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