Do horses require more oxygen during exercise compared to when they are resting?

During exercise, horses indeed require more oxygen than when they are at rest. When a horse is engaged in physical activity, its muscles demand increased energy to sustain that activity. This energy is produced through aerobic metabolism, which relies heavily on oxygen. The cardiovascular and respiratory systems work together to meet this increased demand by enhancing blood flow and breathing rate, ensuring that more oxygen is delivered to the muscles.

Resting horses have lower metabolic demands, so their oxygen consumption is significantly reduced. The oxygen uptake during rest is sufficient for basic bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis.

The notion that a horse requires less oxygen during exercise contradicts the fundamental principles of exercise physiology. While the fitness level of the horse can influence how efficiently it utilizes oxygen during exercise, it does not change the fact that exercise increases oxygen consumption.

In summary, during exercise, horses exhibit a greater need for oxygen due to heightened energy demands, which is not the case when they are resting.