Abstract:

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of exploitation of recreation horses horse in the summer season on the selenium concentration in serum and the values of chosen haematological parameters. Blood to analyse was sampled from horses used in recreation in two horse riding centres located in the Western Pomeranian Province. Stable 1 (8 horses), situated in a seaside resort, with rides being led mostly in a riding arena, less often in the field. Large rotation of riders with different level of riding advancement has been observed, with prevalence of novice riders and horses working on the lunge. Stable 2 (18 horses), situated in a rural area, far away from large cities; in the holiday season, horses work maximum 4 hours a day, with prevalence of rides of weak and moderate intensity, being led in the field, with riders with average and high level of riding advancement and small rotation of riders. Blood samples were drawn twice: in the first days of July (start of the holiday season) and in the last days of August (end of the holiday season). Average selenium concentration in the blood serum of horses in Stable 1 decreased significantly during the holiday season. Mean values of chosen analysed haematological parameters of the horses in both riding centres did not undergo any significant changes during their use in the holiday season. Significant increase in the leukocyte and platelet counts after the holiday season was observed in the blood of horses in Stable 1. The horses of Stable 2 were characterised by significantly higher mean haematocrit value (39.14%) when compared to those in Stable 1. No significant correlations were found between the Se concentrations and chosen haematological parameters. The observations being carried out confirm the occurrence of Se deficiencies in horses in the Western Pomerania. As it appears from the performed study, intensive recreational horse use (5-6 hours of work per day) affects the significant decrease in serum selenium concentration, which suggests that application of appropriate supplementation in the nutrition of intensively working horses is necessary. Insufficient number of studies and ambiguous results concerning the effect of horse use on the WBC and the platelet counts prompt to undertake more broader observations in this respect.

Keywords: