COMPARATIVE HEMATOLOGICAL STUDY OF 2 BREEDS OF FOALS (ANDALUSIAN AND ARAB) SUBJECTED TO EXERCISE OF PROGRESSIVE INTENSITY

Exercise-induced hematological alterations were studied in 20 four-yea r old foals, II Andalusian and 9 Arabian. They were subjected to a tes t exercise program consisting of 4 levels of gradually increasing inte nsity (15, 20, 25 and 30 km/hr) with a duration of 5 min each. Blood s amples were taken during resting, after each exercise level and at 10 and 30 min of recovery from exercise. The following hematic parameters were analyzed: red blood count, hematocrit value, hemoglobin, volumet ric indexes (MCV, MCH and MHCH) and total plasma proteins. The alterat ions as a result of the physical effort were studied as well as any po ssible differences between the two breeds. The Arabian feats showed hi gher total plasma protein concentrations when resting, after each exer cise level and at 10 mins of recovery time. The other Variables studie d remained with similar values in the two breeds without any significa nt changes.