Acid:base and serum biochemistry changes in horses competing at a modified 1 Star 3‐day‐event

Abstract

We examined the effects of participation in each of 3 modifications of Day 2 of a 3‐day‐event on blood and serum variables indicative of hydration, acid:base status and electrolyte homeostasis of horses. Three groups of horses − 8 European (E) horses and 2 groups each of 9 North American horses performed identical Days 1 (dressage) and 3 (stadium jumping) of a 3‐day‐event. E horses and one group of the North American horses (TD) performed modifications of Day 2 of a 1 Star 3‐day‐event and the other group of North American horses (HT) performed a Horse Trial on Day 2. Jugular venous blood was collected from each horse on the morning of Day 2 before any warm‐up activity, between 4 min 55 s and..