Exercise And Training Of A Racehorse - 1201 Words

Exercise and training of a racehorse is a very important and vital task which must be undertaken from an early age in order for its body and body systems have enough time to develop and adapt to what is being asked of it. The cardiovascular system has to adapt throughout the exercise and training of a racehorse in order to meet the demands that the body is now under and to work more efficiently in order to keep up with these demands that they are under. There are a number of ways in which these adaptions occur these are done through: training, periods of rest in order to recover and dietary changes must be made in order for the body to function on the greater demands put upon it. Training of a racehorse normally begins at around 18 months†¦show more content†¦This works on both the physical and fitness aspects on the horse’s body. Training and fitness work have a very noticeable effect on the cardiovascular system. The duration and level of the exercise increases the muscles contractions more often and therefore resulting on the demand of more oxygen and the removal of waste products. In order to put up with extra demands the circulatory system must work more efficiently. The heart will therefore become more increasingly efficient, as this will result in the amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat increases also known as cardiac output. The major training responses take place in the blood, heart, muscles and cardiovascular system. Within the first two- four months of training there is normally an increase of blood volume, red blood cell count, and haemoglobin concentrations. This will normally result in a more efficient circulatory system. An increase in the blood plasma in the first few weeks of training will contribute to the horse having better thermoregulation and a better sweating capacity. After the horse has undergone 3-6 months of training, an improvement in the network system as the number and density of capillaries provide a more efficient blood flow. With this greater increase in blood flow more oxygen can therefore be delivered to the working muscles in order for them to keep up with the greater demands put upon them. There will