Maximal anaerobic (lactic) capacity and power of the horse

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Abstract
Blood lactate concentrations were determined in 16 horses (3 Thoroughbreds, 7 Standardbreds and 6 polo ponies) before and 5 min after they galloped over distances of 200, 300 and 400 m at maximal speed. The highest net lactate concentration (.DELTA.Lamax) of 14-15 mmol/l was attained by the polo ponies and the highest speed by the Thoroughbreds. The maximal rate of lactate production (.DELTA.L.ovrhdot.amax) was about 35 mmol/l per min for the polo ponies and 20 to 25 mmol/l per min for the Standardbreds and the Thoroughbreds. Values for .DELTA.Lamax and .DELTA.L.ovrhdot.amax were similar to those measured in human athletes after exhaustive work. .DELTA.L.ovrhdot.amax increases with the speed (v) and can be described by the equation .DELTA.L.ovrhdot.a = a (v-v1), where a is a proportionality constant representing the amount of lactate needed to cover a unit distance and v1 the theoretical speed at which .DELTA.L.ovrhdot.a = 0. v1 was highest for the Thoroughbreds and lowest for the polo ponies; this difference could be caused by the effect of training and/or to genetic differences among the different breeds of horses. v1 could be a useful index of the fitness of a horse following a training program.