In human and animal nutrition, much interest has been focused on the potential role of dietary supplements in promoting health, athletic performance and disease mitigation. Supplements may include essential nutrients provided in amounts greater than required to prevent a deficiency state, or substances purported to have a role in metabolism or tissue function but that are not recognized as an essential nutrient. This review aims to provide the rationale and scientific evidence for use (or not) of some of the supplements marketed for use in horses, with emphasis on supplements purported to directly boost performance, such as creatine, carnitine and branched-chain amino acids. It also discusses the so-called ‘joint supplements’ (or slow-acting, disease-modifying osteoarthritis agents), such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate. The effects of selected feeding strategies on performance, including fat supplementation, are also examined. It is concluded that although the use of nutritional supplements is commonly alleged to boost performance or health in horses, for most, if not all, of these supplements there is little or no scientific evidence of efficacy.

A prospective, blinded, randomized and controlled study was conducted in horses with traumatic arthritis of the metacarpophalangeal joint in order to evaluate the efficacy of defocused carbon dioxide (CO2) laser therapy. Sixteen horses were randomly assigned to two groups: active laser (an output power of 16 W, scanned over 42 cm2, an average dose of 91 J cm− 2) and sham laser (the laser beam directed at the non-reflecting floor). All the horses received a total of five treatments during 1 week. The horses were evaluated with respect to the degree of initial lameness by conventional lameness examination and an objective accelerometer technique before the onset of treatment, and at 1 and 3 weeks. The concentrations of substance P (SP), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and Met-enkephalin-Arg-Phe (MEAP) in synovial fluid were also assessed. Our study demonstrates that there was no significant difference in lameness score between the laser- and the sham-treated group before the treatment and at 1 and 3 weeks after the initial examination. Moreover, no significant difference in the concentrations of SP, PGE2 and MEAP in synovial fluid in the active laser group compared with the sham-treated group was observed. In conclusion, this study suggests that treatment with defocused CO2 laser in the management of traumatic arthritis of the metacarpophalangeal joint is not statistically better than sham treatment at reducing the grade of lameness as evaluated by conventional lameness examination and accelerometer technique.

Humans undergoing intense exercise exhibit transient microalbuminuria. Previous studies have shown that swimming, but not running, induces microalbuminuria in dogs. In this study, urine samples were collected from nineteen well-conditioned Alaskan sled dogs and analysed by the Heska ERD-Screen Test for microalbuminuria. None of the dogs has microalbuminuria, indicated that well-trained dogs do not develop microalbuminuria after running. Further studies are needed to determine if these dogs do develop microalbuminuria after competition or longer-distane runs.

Classic descriptions of rib motion during ventilation include three-dimensional movements that are tied to the locomotor pattern. It is still not clear how chest wall and diaphragmatic movements contribute to ventilation. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate how gait affects local thoracic geometry in horses. Hemispherical markers were placed on the skin over the ribs and spine to calculate thoracic hemi-diameter. Ventilatory airflows were recorded using an ultrasonic flowmeter system. Airflow and kinematic data were collected synchronously at walk (1.8 m s-1), trot (4 m s-1), canter and gallop (6, 8 and 10 m s-1) on the treadmill. At walk and trot, the changes in right and left hemi-diameter were approximately symmetric. At walk, mean hemi-diameter changes were 40 mm (rib 10) and 47 mm (rib 16). At trot, they were 33 mm (rib 10) and 34 mm (rib 16). Across the three canter and gallop speeds, leading (right) side hemi-diameter change increased from 25 to 30 to 35 mm (rib 10) and from 23 to 37 to 46 mm (rib 16). The trailing (left) side hemi-diameter increased from 50 to 67 to 70 mm (rib 10) and from 36 to 48 to 54 mm (rib 16) (P≪0.01). At canter and gallop, the non-lead side of the thorax is subjected to larger amplitude changes in hemi-diameter than the lead side, which tends to be more compressed overall and demonstrates smaller amplitudes of change in diameter.

The study aimed to investigate the effect of speed and incline on EMG activity in the brachiocephalicus muscle and the long and lateral heads of the triceps brachii muscle. Six horses were exercised on a treadmill at walk (1.7 m s-1), trot (4.0 m s-1) and right lead canter (7.2 m s-1) on a 0 and 8% incline. Kinematics (120 Hz) and electromyography (EMG) (2000 Hz) data were collected simultaneously from the left forelimb of each horse. Significant differences in relation to velocity and incline were identified using two-way ANOVA and post hoc Student–Newman–Keuls tests (P≪0.05). The degree of association between timing of peak EMG intensity and the timing of maximum protraction/retraction angles was assessed using ANCOVA. Increases in velocity led to an increase in stride length and reduction in stride duration. Exercise on the incline increased stance duration and decreased swing duration, while limb protraction/retraction increased. The time of peak EMG activity in the brachiocephalicus was highly related to time of maximum limb retraction (r2=0.84). The time of peak EMG activity in the long head of the triceps brachii was highly associated with time of maximum limb protraction (r2=0.87). Increases in velocity and incline both caused an increase in the intensity of the EMG signal from each muscle. Duration of EMG activity was prolonged in the long head of the triceps brachii muscle and in the brachiocephalicus muscle as velocity increased. Treadmill speed and slope therefore both alter the workload placed on forelimb muscles.

Kinematic analysis has been used to understand performance in many sports, but few objective studies of equestrian technique have been published. The objective was to describe movements of the rider's torso and arms relative to movements of the horse's pelvis and shoulder and the position of the bit during trotting. Six experienced female riders rode the same dressage horse at a sitting trot, with rider and horse kinematics collected. The trot is a symmetrical gait, which implies kinematic symmetry between the first and the second halves of the gait. Three trials of a half stride, from left forelimb lift-off to right forelimb lift-off, were analysed for each subject. In all riders, trunk angle was maximal (backward tilt) in early stance, at which time the rider's hips were closest to and the rider's shoulders were furthest from the bit. Trunk angle was minimal (forward tilt) at the end of stance when the shoulders were closest to and the hips were furthest from the bit. Range of motion of the rider's hips and shoulders varied greatly between subjects. Movements of the rider's shoulder joint and elbow joint were synchronized with the trunk oscillations, so the distance from the rider's wrist to the horse's bit changed by only 15 ± 3 mm during the stride. It is concluded that the six experienced riders were able to accommodate the motion of the horse's body while maintaining a consistent contact with the bit by minimizing changes in the distance from the wrist to the bit.

This study tested the hypothesis that orange peel (O) and decaffeinated black tea (T) extracts would alter markers of exercise performance as well as exercise-induced mRNA expression for the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. Nine healthy, unfit Standardbred mares (age: 10±4years, ∼450kg) were assigned to three treatment groups in a randomized crossover design where each horse was administered one of the following; placebo (O; 21 water), black tea extract in water (T; 21) or orange peel extract in water (W; 21), via a nasogastric tube. One hour later the horses completed an incremental graded exercise test (GXT) on a treadmill at a fixed 6% grade with measurements and blood samples obtained at rest, at the end of each 1min step of the GXT and at 2 and 5min post-GXT. An additional set of blood samples for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) measurements of mRNA was obtained before exercise and at 5 and 30min and 1, 2, 4 and 24h post-GXT. The GXTs were conducted between 0700 and 1200h not less than 7days apart. There were no differences (P>0.05) in VO2max, respiratory exchange ratio, run time, velocity at VO2max, core body temperature, haematocrit, creatine kinase (CK), plasma lactate concentrations, HR, right ventricular pressure (RVP) or pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) across treatments. A major finding was that orange peel extract significantly reduced post-exercise VO2 recovery time (W = 112±7, O = 86±6, and T = 120±11s). There was a significant difference in plasma total protein concentration (TP) in the O runs compared with water and T. TNF-alpha mRNA expression was lower in the T runs compared with water and O trials. IFN-gamma mRNA expression levels appeared to be lower in both the T and O extract runs compared with the water trials. The mRNA expression of IL-6 was unaltered across treatment groups. These data suggest that orange peel and black tea extracts may modulate the cytokine responses to intense exercise. Orange peel extract reduced post-exercise recovery time and may potentially enhance the ability of horses to perform subsequent bouts of high-intensity exercise.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the influence of fitness on cardiac function, particularly on left ventricular function parameters. Fifteen healthy ‘three-day event’ warmblood horses were examined at rest and immediately after high-speed treadmill exercise (3% incline, 3 min 1.8 m s−1, 3 min 4 m s−1, 3 min 5 m s−1, 3 min 6 and 3 min 7 m s−1, 1.5 min 8 m s−1). Horses were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of nine conditioned horses and group 2 included six unconditioned horses. Left ventricular dimensions and function were acquired using standardized echocardiographic indices. To assess the level of fitness, heart rate and blood lactate concentration were determined at rest and immediately after exercise. The group of conditioned horses showed a significantly lower blood lactate concentration (mean value 2.39 mmol l−1) after high-speed treadmill exercise than did the group of unconditioned horses (mean value 3.81 mmol l−1), which clearly revealed the difference in fitness between the two groups. During exercise the heart rate was not significantly different between both groups. Only in the recovery phase did the trained horses show a significant faster decrease in heart rate than did the untrained horses. Mean heart rate during echocardiography immediately after exercise (within the first 2 min) was 105 bpm in the group of trained horses and 113 bpm in the group of untrained horses.Within each group of horses, several echocardiographic parameters differed significantly between resting values and values after treadmill exercise. Particularly, in the group of trained horses, 17 out of 30 echocardiographic parameters (most diastolic) differed significantly between rest and exercise. In the group of untrained horses, only six out of 30 parameters were significantly different. At rest, left ventricular diameter at the apex cordis, left ventricular free wall at papillary muscle level, left ventricular volume and stroke volume, as well as fractional shortening (at the apex cordis and at papillary muscle level) were significantly different between both groups. After treadmill exercise comparison of echocardiographic parameters of the conditioned to those of the unconditioned animals showed no significant differences. In the present study, data have been provided for stress echocardiography in conditioned and unconditioned warmblood horses without any disorders of the cardiovascular system.

Back dysfunction is an important reason for impaired performance in sport horses. Limb movements influence the movements of the back and factors affecting the limbs may therefore affect the movement of the back. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of weighted boots on the fore- and hind limbs on the movement of the back. The back kinematics of eight horses was studied at the walk and trot on a treadmill. The ranges of movement (ROM) of the back were compared intra-individually, using Wilcoxon matched pairs test, when the horses moved with and without weighted boots on the fore- and hind limbs, respectively. Differences were considered significant at P<0.05. Weighted boots on the hind limbs increased the ROM for dorsoventral flexion and extension in the lumbar back at the walk and decreased the ROM for lateral bending at the thoracolumbar junction at the trot. Weighted boots on the forelimbs decreased the ROM for lateral bending at the withers at the trot. Knowledge of the effect of weighted boots on the back movement is useful in training and rehabilitation of sport horses. Weighted boots on the hind limbs at the walk may induce strengthening of the flexors of the lumbar back and increase the flexion–extension of the lumbar back under controlled conditions.

This study tested the hypothesis that exercise training would alter feed intake (FI), body composition (BC) and plasma concentrations of active ghrelin, leptin, cortisol, insulin and glucose. Eight Standardbred mares (12±2 years, 509±36 kg body weight (BW), mean±SD) were trained (EX) in an equine Equi-ciser (initially 3 days per week at 60% maximal heart rate (HRmax) for 20 min and gradually increased to 5 days per week at 70% HRmax for 30 min, with a 10-min warm-up and 10-min cool-down period at the walk). Six mares (12±2 years, 537±45 kg) served as non-exercise controls (CON). All mares were unfit and had not been subjected to conditioning for 3 years before the experiment. Pre- and post-training incremental exercise tests (GXT) were run to determine HRmax and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). A total mixed ration (TMR) of hay cubes was fed free choice for 16 h day-1 with the primary experiment following a 6-week diet adaptation period. Mares' FI was measured daily and reported in grams per kilogram BW of feed eaten per week. Changes in BC were assessed using BW (electronic scale) and percentage fat calculated using rump fat thickness and the Westervelt equation. Blood samples were taken every 2 weeks at 15:25, before mares were given their allotment of hay cubes on a day when they did not exercise, to measure plasma hormone and glucose concentrations. Gastroscopy for gastric ulcers was performed before, during and after the trial. VO2max increased by 7.0% (P<0.03) in EX, but did not change (P>0.05) in CON. FI decreased (P<0.001) in both groups, but was only different (P<0.02) between EX and CON at week 3. Digestible energy (DE) intake (Mcal day-1) was initially higher (P<0.001) than calculated DE requirements in EX. However, over time, DE only matched and then fell below (P<0.03) the DE intake required for training. In CON horses, DE intake was higher (P<0.001) than calculated requirements. BW and percentage body fat increased (P<0.001) over time in EX and CON. Plasma leptin concentration increased (P<0.001) over time in both groups, but was 60% higher (P<0.04) in CON compared to EX at weeks 4–8. There were no differences (P>0.05) in active ghrelin, glucose, insulin or cortisol between the groups and over time. Five out of seven EX mares developed gastric ulcers. No CON mares developed gastric ulcers. Training was associated with changes in plasma leptin concentration, an increased incidence of gastric ulcers and a disruption of the balance between required DE and actual intake.

Warm-up of 267 competitors at British Dressage affiliated competitions was observed, including competitors at novice (N) (n = 104), medium (M) (n = 65), Prix St Georges (PSG) (n = 60) and Grand Prix (GP) (n = 38) levels. Competitions were classified as local (n = 103), regional (n = 57) and national championship (n = 107) events. Overall, the mean warm-up duration for competitors at dressage competitions was 29 min 53 s. Total warm-up duration was 25 min 23 s ± 10 min 2 s (mean ± SD) at N level; 31 min 32 s ± 11 min 32 s at M level; 32 min 53 s ± 11 min 19 s at PSG and 34 min 34 s ± 10 min 10 s at GP. Mean proportion of walk, trot and canter at each level was N: walk = 39.26%, trot = 40.31%, canter = 20.43%; M: walk = 43.77%, trot = 32.54%, canter = 23.69%; PSG: walk = 38.53%, trot = 31.03%, canter = 30.43% and GP: walk = 38.79%, trot = 33.26%, canter = 27.95%. There was no effect of rider experience, but level and type of competition affected the proportion of time spent in different paces and total time of warm-up, which was increased at higher levels and championships. Increased warm-up time and specific warm-up design were positively associated with final score at novice and Prix St Georges levels.

Several studies have shown that the placement of a face mask on a horse can have effects on ventilation, gas exchange and the cardiovascular system during exercise. The aim of the present study was to determine if airflow and ventilation measured with the same ultrasonic flowmeters were different during exercise between horses wearing half- (HM) and full-face (FM) masks. Five clinically healthy Thoroughbred horses with no history of respiratory disease were studied in an unbalanced crossover design. They were exercised on a treadmill at speeds between 1.7 and 11ms−1 on a 3° incline wearing both masks. The following variables were recorded: peak inspired (PIF) and peak expired flow rates (PEF), inspiratory tidal volume (VT), respiratory rate (fR ), inspiratory minute ventilation (VE), inspiratory time, (TI), expiratory time (TE ), total breath time (TT), end tidal oxygen (ETO2), end tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) and heart rate (HR). A mask by speed of exercise interaction term was not significant for any of the models. The PEF (mean difference 12.91s−1; lower and upper 95% CI 7.6 and 18.21s−1, respectively; P<0.0001) and ETO2 (mean difference 0.77%; lower and upper 95% CI 0.48 and 1.00%, respectively; P<0.0001) were significantly greater and ETCO2 was significantly lower (mean difference −1.3%; lower and upper 95% CI −2.0 and 0.7%, respectively; P<0.0001) with the FM compared with the HM. There was also a trend for inspired VE to be higher with the FM compared with the HM (mean difference 1021min−1; lower and upper 95% CI 26 and 1781 min−1, respectively; non-significant). We conclude that the HM may impair ventilation in the horse during exercise compared with the FM, despite the latter having a greater deadspace.

Our objective was to determine if feeding a high-fat supplement versus a control supplement to growing yearling mares would affect growth an/r body composition parameters as assessed via body weight (BW), body condition scores (BCS) and concentrations of plasma hormones. Eight yearling mares were paired by initial BW (348±19kg) and maintained on pasture and supplemented with either a high-fat supplement (16% fat) or a control supplement (3% fat) at 0.8% of their BW in two daily meals for 8 weeks. Both BW and BCS increased for all mares throughout the study (each P<0.0001); however, no difference in BW or BCS could be attributed to treatment effects. Nonetheless, plasma concentrations of leptin were greater in mares fed the high-fat supplement (P = 0.0001) compared with the control supplement. Plasma concentrations of growth hormone tended to be greater in high-fat-fed mares (P = 0.06). Plasma concentrations of insulin did not differ between treatment groups (P = 0.96). Although no gross difference in BW or BCS was discernable among mares fed the control versus high-fat supplement, these data provide evidence that increasing fat content in the diet may alter leptin levels independent of changes in body composition.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of feeding frequency on total tract digestibility and plasma glucose, insulin, urea, gastrin and cortisol concentrations at rest and following exercise in seven Standardbred horses in race training. The horses were fed every 12 h (twice a day, 2TD) and every 4 h (six times a day, 6TD) for 25 days, in a cross-over design. The diet (64% grass hay, 36% concentrates on weight basis) was fed at twice the maintenance energy requirement. Blood samples were taken every hour for 24 h on day 17, total collection of urine and faeces was made on days 19–21 and an intensive exercise test was performed on day 25. Altering feeding frequency caused small variations in diurnal plasma glucose, urea, gastrin and cortisol concentrations and did not affect total tract nutrient digestibility. There was an increase in the mean diurnal plasma urea concentration on the 2TD regime and low levels of plasma insulin were observed 7 h after feeding 2TD. The response to intensive exercise on heart rate, plasma lactate and plasma glucose was similar on both treatments but the plasma insulin concentration was higher following exercise in the 2TD regime, indicating that post-exercise glucose metabolism was altered. In conclusion, this study shows that feeding athletic horses only 2TD caused metabolic signs resembling those observed during feed deprivation (low levels of plasma insulin and an increased diurnal plasma urea concentration) and an altered post-exercise glucose metabolism, but did not affect the digestive response.

Chromium (Cr) is required for insulin function in the control of cellular glucose uptake. Other functions of Cr relate to its effects on growth, lipid metabolism, immune responses and interactions with nucleic acids. This study was conducted to obtain information on the effect of Cr supplementation on the metabolic responses of five exercising Standardbred horses. During the experiment, horses were fed every day for a 21-day period in a randomized order either a yeast product without Cr (control) or with 4.15 or 8.3 mg Cr day−1. Horses were exercised on a treadmill, alternating a work day of low-speed exercise at 5 m s−1 on a 3% incline for 45 min with a rest day. Each horse was adapted over a 21-day period to his or her respective supplementation before undergoing a standardized exercise test (SET). The SET comprised five incremental steps, each of 4 min duration, on a treadmill with a 3% incline; the first step was at 5 m s−1 and was followed with increments of 1 m s−1. Blood samples were taken for lactate, plasma glucose, serum insulin and cortisol estimation before, during and after each SET (30, 120 min and 24 h post-exercise). Blood Cr was estimated 2 h after feeding the control or Cr-enriched yeast (intake 8.3 mg Cr) in two horses. Heart rate was monitored throughout each SET. Blood lactate and plasma glucose peaks were highest at 8 and 9 m s−1 during the SET when 8.3 mg Cr was supplied. Serum insulin levels declined during the SET and there were no treatment-related changes. Twenty-four hours after exercise, plasma glucose and serum cortisol concentrations returned to basal levels or lower. Serum insulin rebounded 30 min after exercise but 24 h later, serum insulin concentrations were below resting levels. During the recovery period, Cr supplementation did not clearly affect metabolic responses. These results suggest that Cr supplementation had no beneficial effect in healthy, exercising horses.

Slippery surfaces are a continuous concern in equine veterinary practice during both treatment and orthopaedic work-ups, especially when horses have to trot on circles. Sliding of the equine foot on the ground with the potential of injury is prevented if the horizontally acting accelerating or decelerating forces on the foot do not exceed maximal friction. Friction can be calculated and therefore anticipated if the coefficient of friction (μ) between the foot of the horse and the particular ground surface is known. Friction between shod and unshod cadaver equine hooves and different ground surfaces (concrete, tarmac and rubber) was determined by pulling the hooves horizontally in a uniform motion. Horizontal forces (Fh) were measured on a force plate and with a portable digital electronic force meter. The coefficient of friction (μ) was calculated as the quotient between Fh and the gravity force (N) of the object, hence: μ = Fh /N. This study has shown that the coefficient of friction between equine hooves and a specific ground surface can be determined using a portable digital force meter or a force plate. Friction significantly depended not only on the type of surface but also on shoeing of the equine foot. Bare feet showed more friction with the hard surfaces (bricks and tarmac), the shod feet showing more friction with the rubber surfaces. Coefficients of friction could be used to estimate the possibility of injuries occurring in the equine industry during exercise and/or lameness or pre-purchase examinations.

Impact is considered the most critical part of the stance phase for the development of chronic articular disorders such as osteoarthritis in the equine distal limb. Modern, synthetic shoeing materials are believed to modify impact and therefore are often used to treat an/r prevent lameness due to chronic joint disorders. Scientific evidence is scarce, however, to prove this. Hoof impact of forelimb was compared quantitatively in a group of horses under three conditions: unshod, classical steel shoes and shod with a synthetic shoe. Twelve sound warmblood horses were trotted by hand on an asphalt track at a mean speed of 3.5ms−1 and measured in a Latin square design (unshod condition, with steel shoes and with polyurethane (PU) shoes) using a triaxial accelerometer that had been fixed to the lateral hoof wall of the left forelimb. The sampling frequency was set at 10kHz per channel. The maximum amplitude of vertical and horizontal, forwar/ackward accelerations at hoof impact was lowest when shod using the PU shoeing condition (P<0.05), but the duration of the impact vibrations was lowest when unshod. PU shoes cause more damping, less friction and slower shock absorption at hoof level compared with the other two conditions and thus modify impact. Synthetic, polyurethane shoes may help in reducing peak vibrations. These short-term effects appear to be promising enough to evaluate PU shoes under field conditions in reducing impact on the longer term after substantial wear and tear. Furthermore, the possible role of synthetic materials in repairing critical tissues or even in preventing osteoarthritis in horses warrants further investigation.

The objective of the study has been to examine whether the freestyle dressage classes are judged reliably and to elaborate a method assessing the consistency of judging. The data contained 13 000 marks of the ten best-ranked horses at nine Grand Prix classes and four Intermediate I classes from ten international competitions. The marks concerned 119 horses in total and were given by 37 judges. A method for evaluating the consistency of judging has been proposed. The index of disagreement (ID) assesses the disagreement of ranking by an individual judge relative to the general ranking based on the sum of marks awarded by five judges. The results show that the mean ID of individual judges is highly differentiated. The ID is influenced by the judge's position in the arena. The consistency of judging was lower in Intermediate I Freestyle Tests than in Grand Prix Freestyle Tests and it varied in different competitions. The conclusion of the study is that the results of the freestyle dressage classes are often biased. The present system of judging should be permanently checked. The offered method of evaluating agreement between judges' rankings may help to improve the consistency of judging and the reliability of the horses' scores.

The aims of this study were to determine whether the equine distal phalanx changes in shape in response to exercise and to relate any osseous changes to those in the hoof capsule. Eighteen mature Standardbred horses were randomly divided into exercise and control groups. Exercised horses were jogged on a straight track at individual mean speeds between 4 and 8 m s− 1 for 10–45 min, 4 days per week for 16 weeks. Both groups were similarly shod and pastured on the same field. Before and after the training period, each horse had digital photographs and magnetic resonance images (MRI) made of the right forehoof. Five linear measurements of the distal phalanx were recorded from the MRI and 24 measurements of the hoof capsule were made on the digital photographs. Small but significant changes in bone width (P = 0.039) were found in the controls and in two sagittal measurements of bone length (P = 0.039, 0.001, respectively) for the exercise group. These changes were slight and did not correlate with changes in shape of the hoof capsule, suggesting that the bone acts as a stable platform for supporting the capsule and withstanding loads.

Measurement and interpretation of acid–base status are important in clinical practice and among racing jurisdictions to determine if horses have been administered alkalinizing substances for the purpose of enhancing performance. The present study used the physicochemical approach to characterize the daily variation in plasma electrolytes and acid–base state that occurs in horses in the absence of feeding and exercise. Jugular venous blood was sampled every 1–2 h from two groups (n=4 and n=5) of Standardbred horses over a 25 h period where food and exercise were withheld. One group of horses was studied in October and one in December. The time course and magnitude of circadian responses differed between the two groups, suggesting that subtle differences in environment may manifest in acid–base status. Significant daily variation occurred in plasma weak acid concentration ([Atot]) and strong ion difference ([SID]), [Cl−], [K+], [Na+] and [lactate−], which contributed to significant changes in [H+] and TCO2. The night-time period was associated with a mild acidosis, marked by increases in plasma [H+] and decreases in TCO2, compared with the morning hours. The night-time acidosis resulted from an increased plasma [Atot] due to an increased plasma protein concentration ([PP]), and a decreased [SID] due to increases in [Cl−] and decreases in [Na+]. An increased plasma [K+] during the night-time had a mild alkalotic effect. There were no differences in pCO2. It was concluded that many equine plasma electrolyte and acid–base parameters exhibit fluctuations in the absence of feeding and exercise, and it is likely that some of these changes are due to daily variation.