The energy expenditure and heart rate of five Shetland ponies were mea
sured during transport and compared with the values recorded while the
y were at rest and walking. Secondary aims of the study were to invest
igate whether there was any correlation between heart rate and energy
expenditure and whether different orientations affected the values to
different degrees. The measurements were recorded at one-minute interv
als while the ponies were at rest, walking and being transported in fo
ur different orientations, on journeys lasting 30 minutes. There were
significant increases (P<0 . 001) in both heart rate and energy expend
iture during transport which were similar to those associated with wal
king, and there was a strong correlation between the two measurements.
There was no conclusive evidence that orientation affected the measur
ements, but it appeared that rear facing transport might have had the
least effect.