STUDY OF THE HEART-RATE AND ENERGY-EXPENDITURE OF PONIES DURING TRANSPORT

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.