Thesis Type: Doctorate
Institution Of The Thesis: Uludağ Üniversitesi, Turkey
Approval Date: 2008
Thesis Language: Turkish
Student: OKAN ŞENÇELİK
Supervisor: CENK AYDIN
Abstract:In this study, it was aimed to rearrange the exercise schedule for two-year-old English thoroughbred horses by benefiting from the changes, used as an indicator of exercise, observed in the serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), lactic acid (LA), creatine kinase (CK) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) parameters occurring as a result of the activity of the muscle tissue.In the study, 39 two-year-old English thoroughbred horses competing in Bursa Osmangazi racecourse of the Jockey Club of Turkey were included. Horses were separated into three groups according to their exercise and blood serum values. The first group included the horses whose exercise schedule was continuously intervened considering their first exercise and serum values (Group A). The second group consisted of the horses whose first exercise we decided not to intervene as a result of their first exercise and blood serum values, but later we only monitored their exercise and serum values (Group B). The third group was composed of the horses whose exercise and serum values were just monitored, but their exercise schedule was not intervened (Group C). Blood samples were taken five times from the horses, 3 times during the exercise period covering gallop, canter, and sprint works, and twice during the race period. In the blood samples taken, LDH, LA, CK and SDH values were measured with auto-analyzer. Parallel to the blood-sample taking period, 400 m, 600 m, 800 m, 1000 m and 1200 m galloping scores and 1000 m, 1200 m, 1400 m and 1600 m sand racetrack and turf track racing scores of the horses were recorded and the correlations between serum parameters and scores were evaluated.Between A, B and C horse groups, no statistical differences regarding the exercise and race periods were observed in terms of LDH, LA and CK values.However, it was observed that LDH values of Group A and Group B were lower in the third period of the exercise than those observed in the second period. Again it was observed that the 5th period LDH values of Group A were higher than the fourth period. It was found that LA level of Group B was high at statistical significance level in the race period comparedto the last exercise period. While the second period CK values of Group A were observed tobe higher than those in the first period, the third period CK level was lower than that in the second period.From the data obtained, it appeared that the horses from the groups whose exercises were intervened generally were more successful in gallops and races and orthopedic problems caused by exercise were less observed.Considering certain serum parameters, it was concluded that a new practical approach can be put forward regarding the arrangement of exercise schedules and related cost reduction by reducing the time spent to the least.