Creatine and maltodextrine dietetic supplementation in eventing horses at training

This study was carried out to evaluate the creatine and maltodextrine dietetic supplementation of eventing horses. The experimental period consisted of 56 days, with 20 horses, which were randomly divided into four groups with different diets. Diets were: diet without supplement (Control); diet supplemented with creatine, 44.4 mg/kg body weight/day (20 g creatine/horse/day); diet supplemented with creatine, 88.8 mg/kg body weight/day (40 g creatine/horse/day); diet supplemented with maltodextrine, 222.2 mg/kg body weight/day (100 g/horse/day), during three days before each test. Every horse was submitted to three tests. Blood samples and heart rate were collected at rest, immediately after the tests and 10 and 20 minutes after the test. Supplementation with creatine (44.4 mg/kg body weight/day) and maltodextrine reduced plasma concentration of lactate in horses during tests. Supplementation of creatine and maltodextrine did not alter serum concentration of aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyltransferase, urea or creatinine, but training affected blood biochemical variables in eventing horses.