Muscles’ Effect on Structural Functions in Horses
1.Balance: Muscles maintain stability by adjusting tension to help the body remain upright and steady. Postural muscles and those around joints help control small movements and prevent falls or imbalances.
2. Posture: Muscles support the skeleton by maintaining alignment and positioning of the body. Core muscles, along with muscles in the neck, back, and legs, are constantly at work even during rest.
3. Movement: Muscles are the primary drivers of movement, contracting and relaxing to produce motion. Coordinated muscle action moves the body through various activities, from walking and trotting to complex, precise movements.
4. Strength: Muscle tissue generates force, providing the strength needed to perform physical activity. The size and efficiency of muscle fibers contribute to how much force can be produced during contraction.
Muscles’ Effect on Metabolic Functions in Horses
1. Amino Acid Reserve: Muscles store amino acids and release them into the bloodstream when needed. During periods of fasting or intense physical activity, muscles break down proteins to supply the body with amino acids.
2. Synthesis and Storage of Glutamine: Muscle tissue synthesizes and stores glutamine, an important amino acid for immune function, intestinal health, and nitrogen balance in the body.
3. Myokine Production: Muscles produce myokines, which are signaling proteins released during contraction. Myokines have anti-inflammatory effects and play roles in metabolic regulation, fat loss, and maintaining overall health.
4. Immune Function: Muscles contribute to immune function by releasing myokines that regulate immune responses and by providing an amino acid reserve that supports the immune system during stress or illness.
5. Glycemic Regulation: Muscles in horses help regulate blood sugar by absorbing glucose during and after exercise. This is particularly important for maintaining energy levels and preventing conditions like insulin resistance or equine metabolic syndrome.
6. Lipolysis and Browning: Muscle activity in horses encourages fat breakdown and energy utilization. While the browning of fat is less studied in horses, their muscle activity still promotes fat loss and improves overall metabolic health.
7. Bone Mineralization: Regular muscle contractions stimulate bone cells, helping maintain bone density and strength through mechanical loading and signaling pathways.
8. Endothelial Function: Muscles improve endothelial (the lining of blood vessels) function by promoting healthy blood flow and vessel elasticity through regular contraction and the release of beneficial molecules during exercise.This helps maintain proper circulation and vascular health.
9. Appetite Regulation: Muscle activity in horses may influence appetite through exercise-induced metabolic changes, though this effect is less pronounced in horses compared to humans.
10. BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor): While BDNF production in horses has not been as thoroughly researched as in humans, exercise in horses does promote overall cognitive health and well-being, supporting mental clarity, mood, and learning ability.
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