Mary Warren is part of TeamKELATO and uses MuscleGUARD with her dressage horses to help ensure their muscles are energised.

© Amy-Sue Alston / Kelato

Energising Working Muscles

Horses are incredible athletes. Whether doing high or low intensity exercise, they require energy to perform. In particular, their muscles require energy in order to contract. So how does it all work?

The Sprinter vs. The Marathon Runner (Fast vs. Slow Twitch)

Most of a horse’s large muscles used during exercise contain a mixture of muscle fibre types – type 1, 2A or 2B. Type 1 (slow-twitch) fibres contract slowly and are able to function for a relatively long time without fatigue (think marathon runner or endurance horse).

They have a high density of mitochondria, which are organelles in cells that convert oxygen into energy. This means slow twitch muscle fibres have a high aerobic or oxidative capacity. So, these muscle fibres are ideally suited for endurance.

Fast-twitch muscle fibres are divided into type 2A and 2B. Type 2B muscle fibres have the fastest contractile speed, highest glycogen stores and glycolytic capacity, and lowest oxidative capacity. These muscle fibres are suited to short, intense bursts of power.

With or without oxygen? (Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Metabolism)

At submaximal speeds, the majority of energy is produced by aerobic metabolism. This means oxygen is able to fuel the slow twitch fibres, as well as fast twitch fibres with a higher oxidative capacity, recruited for exercise. As the speed of exercise increases, so does the energy demand placed on the muscle. Most muscle fibres are recruited (including type 2B fast twitch fibres) and more oxygen is consumed by the horse until it reaches a speed where the delivery of oxygen or the ability to utilise oxidative processes becomes limiting. At the point of maximum oxygen consumption, any further energy must be generated by anaerobic glycolysis. The advantage of this process is it provides a rapid supply of energy without the need for oxygen.

What causes fatigue?

High intensity training increases the oxidative capacity in all muscle fibre types, including type 2B fast twitch fibres. The onset of fatigue is often associated with either an accumulation of metabolic by-products or a decline in muscle glycogen concentration. The formation of lactic acid is by-product of the intramuscular breakdown of glycogen. A rise in lactate concentrations causes a drop in cell pH, which affects both energy production and contraction in the muscle. Hence, resulting fatigue and the inability to continue exercising.

For endurance events, heat stress and substrate availability (depletion of muscle glycogen) have been indicated as key factors in fatigue. Changes in muscle lactate and pH are unlikely to be the cause of fatigue in endurance.

How you can support working muscles and aid recovery from exercise?

No matter what discipline you do, it is important to provide working horses with nutrients that aid normal muscle and nerve function.

Kelato’s MuscleGUARD is an oral paste that provides a blend of amino acids, vitamins and potent antioxidants to support hardworking horses during and after intense exercise. Supplementation with MuscleGUARD before and after the event can help provide relief from acute muscle soreness and fatigue associated with strenuous exercise.

MuscleGUARD will support your horse by:

•    Improving stamina by delaying the onset of fatigue.
•    Delaying the pain of lactic acid.
•    Providing relief from acute muscle soreness and stiffness.
•    Reducing recovery time after strenuous exercise.
•    Improving and maintaining mental alertness for longer.

Written for Kelato Animal Health by: Natalie Hackl - Technical Manager & Nutritionist
BAnVetBioSc (Hons), BEqSt
 

READ THE LATEST NEWS ARTICLES HERE