Cortisolemia dopo esercizio nel Cavallo da maneggio e da concorso

Cortisol changes of horses were evaluated before and after riding school (Group I) and show jumping (Group II) sessions, during two consecutive days in two weeks, by taking into account the different type of exercise. Compared to basal values, riding school sessions induced significant cortisol decreases only 5 min post-exercise in the1st day, both in the 1st week (P<0.05) and 2nd week; on the contrary, show jumping sessions induced significant cortisol increases both 5 min (P<0.01) and 30 min (P<0.01) post-exercise of the 1st day in the 1st week, and both 5 min (P<0.01) and 30 min (P<0.05) post-exercise of the 1st day in the 2nd week. Group II showed lower basal cortisol levels than Group I during the times considered, with significant lower levels (P<0.05) only at the 1st day of 1st week. Data documented an increase of cortisol levels in show jumping horses and a decrease in riding horses post- exercise. These results showed that the different type of exercise (intensity), but not its duration, influenced the adrenocortical response of sport horses, or an inhibitory effect of the predictable riding session on pituitary-adrenal activity.