Comparative analysis of clinical, haematological and serum biochemical profiles in polo horses and their sedentary counterparts
O. O. Akinniyi, D. T. Okuneye, B. A. Alaba, O. G. Banwo, S. A. Koleosho, O. T. Jeremiah, T. O. OmobowaleSummary
Background
Regular exercise benefits horses' overall health; yet data on long‐term physiological adaptations in polo horses remains limited.
Objectives
The study aimed to compare the clinical, haematology and serum biochemical profiles of polo and sedentary horses.
Study design
Cross‐sectional study.
Methods
Forty adult mares (20 sedentary and 20 polo), aged 10–15 years, were evaluated. The polo horses had competed in three major high‐goal and nine medium/low‐goal tournaments in the previous 12 months and received daily exercise, while the sedentary horses were for leisure and kept in their stalls most of the time with no physical activity. The study evaluated the following clinical parameters at rest: respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR). Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein via 10 mL syringes and analysed for haematological and biochemical parameters. Independent t test was used for statistical analysis, with a p ≤ 0.05 considered significant.
Results
Polo horses showed significantly lower (p < 0.05) resting respiratory rate, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure compared to sedentary horses. Haematologically, polo horses exhibited higher (p < 0.05) packed cell volume (37.2 ± 5.9% vs. 33.1 ± 3.0%), haemoglobin (12.1 ± 2.1 vs. 10.8 ± 1.0 g/dL), red blood cells (5.9 ± 1.1 vs. 5.2 ± 0.8 × 106/μL) and platelets (127.4 ± 17.7 vs. 108.1 ± 20.5 × 109/μL). Biochemically, polo horses demonstrated higher (p < 0.05) total protein, albumin, globulin, creatinine, total bilirubin, creatine kinase, and high‐density lipoprotein, while showing lower (p < 0.05) aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol, triglycerides and low‐density lipoprotein. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in rectal temperature, diastolic blood pressure, most white blood cell parameters, glucose, electrolytes and several other biochemical markers.
Conclusion
Regular polo training induces favourable physiological adaptations. Future research should track these changes longitudinally and inform improved training and care strategies for equine athletes.