Chuckwagon Research

Exercise physiology in chuckwagon horses is a much needed area of research as it has not been studied in the literature and the sport is under public scrutiny. Most of the results from studies on exercise metabolism in other disiciplines (flat and harness racing) are not relevant to chuckwagon racing, and characterization of the workload effort in chuckwagon horses is necessary to understand the physiological constraints of the sport. Concerns have been raised on horses' ability to recover quickly between events and the impact on the risk of sudden death. Another question is the distribution of effort between the lead horses and the wheeler horses.

Horses were equipped with ECG monitors and their heart rate and electrical activity was measured in real time before, during and after exercise; both in training and during races. Blood samples collected pre and post exercise measured metabolic changes (lactate, electrolytes and cardiac enzymes) and are being used to evaluate the effect of cumulative racing on heart arrhythmias and metabolic changes that take place.

Early analysis suggests that horses who have a steep increase and decrease in heart rate at the onset of exercise and during recovery tend to be the most fit. The most desirable outcome is when horses also have a high maximum heart rate, and one that remains consistent throughout exercise. Ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) and sinusal blocks tend to be common in other disciplines (flat racing and harness racing) and also appear in chuckwagon horses. A complete ECG and blood analysis is currently underway. Check back later for updates on our findings.

Dr. Léguillette would like to thank the Clinical Research Fund and the Department of Veterinary Clinical Diagnostic Services for funding the project. We would like to thank the WPCA and CPCA for their support with this project and the organizers of Guy Weadick Days in High River, Ponoka Stampede, Calgary Stampede and Strathmore Rodeo as well as all the drivers who participated in the research project.