Did you know that WHAT your horse’s muscles are composed of have a huge effect on their performance capabilities?
There is a reason you will never see a Hanoverian on the racetrack, but do you know WHY?
Genetics and muscle fibers are two large components.
Muscle fibers are broken into two groups - slow-twitch: type 1 and fast-twitch: type 2.
All horse’s muscles are made of muscle fibers from these two groups with varying degrees of percentages from each group determined by genetics.
The percentages of these type 1 and type 2 muscle fibers are what allow horses to excel at particular types of performance.
Slow-Twitch Fibers: Type 1 Slow-twitch fibers have high concentrations of mitochondria (where respiration and energy production occur) and myoglobin (supplies oxygen to muscles) and are surrounded by high levels of capillaries (supplies circulation to muscles).
Okay.. so what does this mean?
Slow-twitch fibers support cardio, are fatigue-resistant and work well for a long period of time. They produce less force and are slower to produce max tension, but maintain long term contractions - key for stabilization and postural control.
Slow-twitch fibers support slower work and endurance activities.
The bulk of these fibers make up more cold blooded and drafty breeds.
What disciplines do you think would benefit from horses with a higher ratio of these type 1 slow-twitch fibers?
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