Effect of a tongue-tie on upper airway mechanics during exercise following sternothyrohyoid myectomy in clinically normal horses

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a tongue-tie on upper airway mechanics in clinically normal horses exercising on a treadmill following sternothyrohyoid myectomy. ANIMALS: 6 Standardbreds. PROCEDURE: Upper airway mechanics were measured with horses exercising on a treadmill at 5, 8, and 10 m/s 4 weeks after a sternothyrohyoid myectomy was performed. Pharyngeal and tracheal inspiratory and expiratory pressures were measured by use of transnasal pharyngeal and tracheal catheters connected to differential pressure transducers. Horses were fitted with a facemask and airflow was measured by use of a pneumotachograph. Horses underwent a standardized exercise protocol on a treadmill at 5, 8, and 10 m/s with and without a tongue-tie in a randomized cross-over design. Inspiratory and expiratory airflow, tracheal pressure, and pharyngeal pressure were measured, and inspiratory and expiratory resistances were calculated. RESULTS: We were unable to detect an effect of a tongue-tie on any of the respiratory variables measured. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicate that a tongue-tie does not alter upper airway mechanics following sternothyrohyoid myectomy in clinically normal horses during exercise.     

Effect of topical anesthesia of the laryngeal mucosa on upper airway mechanics in exercising horses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of desensitization of the laryngeal mucosal mechanoreceptors on upper airway mechanics in exercising horses. ANIMALS: 6 Standardbreds. PROCEDURE: In study 1, videoendoscopic examinations were performed while horses ran on a treadmill with and without topical anesthesia of the laryngeal mucosa. In study 2, peak tracheal and nasopharyngeal pressures and airflows were obtained from horses during incremental treadmill exercise tests, with and without topical anesthesia of the laryngeal mucosa. A nasal occlusion test was performed on each horse while standing during an endoscopic examination for both trials. RESULTS: In study 1, horses had nasopharyngeal collapse while running on the treadmill when the laryngeal mucosa was anesthetized. In study 2, inspiratory upper airway and nasopharyngeal impedance were significantly higher, and peak tracheal inspiratory pressure, respiratory frequency, and minute ventilation were significantly lower in horses when the laryngeal mucosa was anesthetized, compared with values obtained when horses exercised without topical anesthesia. Peak inspiratory and expiratory airflows were lower in horses when the laryngeal mucosa was anesthetized, although differences did not quite reach significance (P = 0.06 and 0.09, respectively). During a nasal occlusion test, horses had episodes of nasopharyngeal collapse and dorsal displacement of the soft palate when the laryngeal mucosa was anesthetized. Upper airway function was normal in these horses without laryngeal mucosal anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Receptors within the laryngeal mucosa may be important in maintaining upper airway patency in exercising horses.     

Effect of laryngeal hemiplegia and laryngoplasty on airway flow mechanics in exercising horses

The effect of left laryngeal hemiplegia on airway flow mechanics in 5 exercising horses was examined, and the efficacy of surgical repair by prosthetic laryngoplasty was evaluated. Measurements of the upper airway flow mechanics were made with horses on a treadmill (incline 6.38 degrees) while standing (period A); walking at 1.3 m/s (period B); trotting at 2.6 m/s (period C); trotting at 4.3 m/s (period D); and standing after exercise (period E). Experiments were done on healthy horses before any surgical manipulation (control), at 10 days after left recurrent laryngeal neurectomy, and at least 14 days after prosthetic larynogoplasty. Increasing treadmill speed from period A to period D progressively increased heart rate, respiratory frequency, peak inspiratory flow, and peak expiratory flow, but inspiratory resistance and expiratory resistance remained unchanged. Neither left recurrent laryngeal neutrectomy nor prosthetic laryngoplasty affected heart rate, respiratory frequency, peak expiratory flow, or expiratory resistance when compared with those values at the control measurement periods. Left recurrent laryngeal neurectomy resulted in inspiratory flow limitation at peak inspiratory flow of approximately 25 L/s, and increased inspiratory resistance at periods D and E. Subsequent prosthetic laryngoplasty alleviated the flow limitation and reduced inspiratory resistance at measurement periods D and E.     

Effect of ventriculectomy versus ventriculocordectomy on upper airway noise in draught horses with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy

Reasons for performing study: Little is known about the efficacy of bilateral ventriculectomy (VE) or bilateral ventriculocordectomy (VCE) in draught horses. Objectives: To compare the effect of VE and VCE on upper airway noise in draught horses with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) by use of quantitative sound analysis techniques. Hypothesis: In competitive draught horses with grade 4 RLN, VE and VCE reduce upper airway noise during exercise, but VCE is more effective. Methods: Thirty competitive hitch or pulling draught horses with grade 4 RLN were evaluated for upper airway sound during exercise. Respiratory rate (RR), inspiratory (Ti) and expiratory time (Te), the ratio between Ti and Te (Ti/Te), inspiratory (Sli) and expiratory sound levels (Sle), the ratio between Sli and Sle (Sli/Sle), and peak sound intensity of the second formant (F2) were calculated. Eleven horses were treated with VE and 19 with VCE. After 90 days of voice and physical rest and 30 days of work, the horses returned for post operative upper airway sound evaluation and resting videoendoscopy. Results: VE significantly reduced Ti/Te, Sli, Sli/Sle and the sound intensity of F2. Respiratory rate, Ti, Te and Sle were unaffected by VE. VCE significantly reduced Ti/Te, Ti, Te, Sli, Sli/Sle and the sound intensity of F2, while RR and Sle were unaffected. The reduction in sound intensity of F2 following VCE was significantly greater than following VE. After VE and VCE, 7/11 (64%) and 15/18 (83%) owners, respectively, concluded that the surgery improved upper airway sound in their horses sufficiently for successful competition. Conclusions: VE and VCE significantly reduce upper airway noise and indices of airway obstruction in draught horses with RLN, but VCE is more effective than VE. The procedures have few post operative complications. Potential relevance: VCE is recommended as the preferred treatment for RLN in draught horses. Further studies are required to evaluate the longevity of the procedure's results.     

Endoscopy of the upper respiratory tract during treadmill exercise: a clinical study of 100 horses

SUMMARY: Endoscopy of the upper respiratory tract was performed in 100 horses during high speed treadmill exercise. Reasons for endoscopy were a history of an abnormal noise during exercise in 75 horses, poor performance in 17 horses and to evaluate the results of upper respiratory tract surgery in 8 horses. Of the 75 horses with a history of an abnormal noise during exercise the cause was determined in 67 (89%). Endoscopic abnormalities were detected at rest in 40 of these 75 horses (53%). In these 40 horses, a similar diagnosis as to the cause of the abnormal noise was made at rest and during exercise on the treadmill in 19 cases, while in the remaining 21 the endoscopic findings during exercise varied from that seen at rest. This included 3 horses in which a diagnosis was made at rest but no abnormalities were detected during exercise. Some of the findings during treadmill endoscopy included laryngeal dysfunction, grades 3, 4 and 5 (22 cases), dorsal displacement of the soft palate (20), epiglottic entrapment (8), epiglottic flutter (4), aryepiglottic fold flutter (4), pharyngeal collapse (3), arytenoiditis (3), vocal cord flutter (3), false nostril noise (2), pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia (2), soft palate haemorrhage (1) and positional arytenoid collapse (1). More than one abnormality was observed during exercise in 7 horses. A complete and correct diagnosis based on the resting endoscopy findings alone was made in 19 (25%) of these 75 cases. In the 17 horses examined because of poor performance, no abnormalities were detected during treadmill endoscopy that were not evident at rest. None of these 17 horses presented with a history of an abnormal respiratory noise, although one, diagnosed as having grade 4 laryngeal function at rest and exercise, did make a characteristic inspiratory noise during treadmill exercise. Eight horses were evaluated after surgery for correction of laryngeal hemiplegia, as the post-operative performance or the amount of respiratory noise present was considered unsatisfactory. Of these, 3 were found to have a satisfactory airway during exercise and other reasons for poor performance were detected; 3 had insufficient abduction; and 2 had intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate. Endoscopy of the upper respiratory tract was found to be a useful technique for evaluating the cause of abnormal respiratory noise in most cases. We concluded that treadmill endoscopy in horses presented for poor performance, without a history of an abnormal respiratory noise, was of little value. The technique, in conjunction with arterial blood gas measurements, was useful in determining the efficacy of surgical treatment of laryngeal hemiplegia.     

Effects of ventriculectomy, prosthetic laryngoplasty, and exercise on upper airway function in horses with induced left laryngeal hemiplegia

Effects of ventriculectomy and prosthetic laryngoplasty on upper airway flow mechanics and blood gas tensions in exercising horses with induced left laryngeal hemiplegia were assessed. Five adult horses were trained to stand, trot (4.5 m/s), and gallop (7.2 m/s) on a treadmill (6.38 degrees incline). Inspiratory and expiratory airflows (VImax, VEmax, respectively) were measured using a 15.2-cm diameter pneumotachograph in a face mask. Inspiratory and expiratory transupper airway pressures (PuI, PuE, respectively) were determined as pressure differences between barometric pressure and lateral tracheal pressure. Blood collected from exteriorized carotid arteries was analyzed for PaO2, PaCO2, pH, hemoglobin (Hb) content, and HCO3- values. Heart rate (HR) was determined with an HR monitor. Measurements were made with horses standing, trotting, and galloping before left recurrent laryngeal neurectomy (LRLN; base line), 14 days after LRLN, 30 days after ventriculectomy (44 days after LRLN), and 14 days after prosthetic laryngoplasty (58 days after LRLN). Before LRLN (base line), increasing treadmill speed for horses from standing to the trot and gallop progressively increased HR, respiratory frequency, VImax, VEmax, PuI, PuE, Hb, and PaCO2 values and decreased PaO2, pH, and HCO3- values; inspiratory and expiratory impedances were unchanged. After LRLN, inspiratory impedance and PuI were significantly (P less than 0.05) increased in horses at the trot and gallop, and PaCO2 was significantly increased in horses at the gallop. The VImax and respiratory frequency were significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased in horses at the gallop. Left recurrent laryngeal neurectomy had no effect on PuE, VEmax, HR, PaO2, pH, Hb, or expiratory impedance values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Spectral analysis of respiratory noise in horses with upper airway disorders

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: It has long been recognised that the production of abnormal respiratory sounds by horses during exercise is frequently associated with upper airway obstructions. Respiratory acoustic measurements have shown promise in investigation of upper airway disorders in man and, more recently, in horses with experimentally-induced obstructions. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate sounds from exercising horses with naturally occurring dynamic obstructions of the upper respiratory tract and to compare these with those from normal horses in order to determine whether different obstructions produce characteristic spectral patterns. METHODS: The audio signal, airflow and videoendoscopic images were recorded simultaneously during an incremental exercise test on a high-speed treadmill. RESULTS: Spectral analysis of the audio signal showed marked differences between control and clinically afflicted horses. Dorsal displacement of the soft palate was characterised by a narrow low frequency (20-80 Hz) peak during expiration. Horses with dynamic laryngeal collapse produced inspiratory sounds characterised by a broad band high frequency spectral component in the range 1.1-2.7 kHz. CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Spectral analysis of respiratory sounds in horses has potential as a diagnostic technique for field use especially when facilities for high-speed treadmill assessment are not practicable.     

Interaction of saddle girth construction and tension on respiratory mechanics and gas exchange during supramaximal treadmill exercise in horses

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of girth construction and tension on respiratory mechanics and gas exchange during supramaximal treadmill exercise in horses. METHODS: Six healthy detrained Thoroughbred horses were exercised on a treadmill inclined at 10% at 110% VO2max. Horses were instrumented for respiratory mechanics and gas exchange studies, and data were recorded during incremental exercise tests. The animals were exercised for 2 min at 40% VO2max, and samples and measurements were collected at 1 min 45 sec. After 2 min, speed was increased to that estimated at 110% VO2max and data was collected at 45 sec, 90 sec and every 30 sec thereafter at this speed until the horses fatigued. Horses were run on three occasions with the same racing saddle and saddle packing but using two different girths, either an elastic girth (EG) or a standard canvas girth (SCG) which is nonelastic. A run with 5 kg tension applied to a standard canvas girth was the control for each horse, with additional runs at 15 kg using either the standard canvas girth or using the elastic girth. The runs were randomised and tensions applied were measured at end exhalation whilst at rest. RESULTS: Increasing girth tension was not associated with changes in respiratory mechanical or gas exchange properties. Although girths tightened to 15 kg tension had short run to fatigue times this was not found to be significantly different to girths set at 5 kg resting tension. Girth tensions declined at end exhalation in horses nearing fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Loss in performance associated with high girth tensions is not due to alteration of respiratory mechanics. Loss in performance may be related to inspiratory muscles working at suboptimal lengths due to thoracic compression or compression of musculature around the chest. However, these changes are not reflected in altered respiratory mechanical or gas exchange properties measured during tidal breathing during supramaximal exercise. Other factors may hasten the onset of fatigue when horses exercise with tight girths and further studies are required to determine why excessively tight girths affect performance.     

Respiratory mechanics of horses during stepwise treadmill exercise tests, and the effect of clenbuterol pretreatment on them

Normal Standardbred horses were given an incremental exercise test on a horizontal treadmill to evaluate the influence of exercise on gas exchange, resistance, dynamic compliance and inertance of the respiratory system. The exercise test consisted of 2 min exercise steps at each of the following speeds: 2.4 m/sec (walk), 4.5 m/sec (slow trot), 7.0 m/sec (fast trot) and 10 m/sec (gallop). At rest and after 1 min of exercise at each step, airflow, tidal volume, respiratory frequency, pharyngeal, mid-oesophageal and transdiaphragmatic pressures and arterial blood gas tensions were measured. The same horses were subsequently treated intravenously with clenbuterol (0.8 microgram/kg) and an identical exercise test and measurement performed 10 min after clenbuterol injection. In response to exercise, there were large increases in tidal volume, respiratory frequency, airflow and pressures. Exercise was associated with a decrease in upper airway resistance but total pulmonary resistance was unchanged. Exercise did not alter inertance or dynamic compliance, horses became hypoxaemic, and at 10 m/sec (galloping) also developed hypercarbia. Treatment with clenbuterol did not alter any of these measurements in response to exercise. These data suggest that dilation of upper airways occurs during exercise, and that inertial forces are important in strenuously exercising horses and may influence the accuracy of dynamic compliance determinations at high exercise intensities.     

Sound signature for identification and quantification of upper airway disease in horses

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether upper airway sounds of horses exercising with laryngeal hemiplegia and alar fold paralysis have distinct sound characteristics, compared with unaffected horses. ANIMALS: 6 mature horses. PROCEDURE: Upper airway sounds were recorded in horses exercising on a high-speed treadmill at maximum heart rate (HR(MAX)) under 3 treatment conditions (ie, normal upper airway function [control condition], and after induction of left laryngeal hemiplegia or bilateral alar fold paralysis) in a randomized crossover design. Fundamental frequency, spectrograms using Gabor transform, and intensity characteristics of acquired sounds (peak sound level [sound(peak] and highest frequency of at least -25 dB sound intensity [F(25max)]) were evaluated. RESULTS: Evaluation of the fundamental frequency of the time domain signal was not useful. Sensitivity and specificity (83 and 75%, respectively) of spectrograms were greatest at maximal exercise, but the exact abnormal condition was identified in evaluation of only 12 of 18 spectrograms. Increased accuracy was obtained using sound(peak) and F(25max) as discriminating variables. The use of sound(peak) discriminated between control and laryngeal hemiplegia conditions and F(25max) between laryngeal hemiplegia and alar fold paralysis conditions. This increased the specificity of sound analysis to 92% (sensitivity 83%) and accurately classified the abnormal state in 92% of affected horses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Sound analysis might be a useful adjunct to the diagnosis and evaluation of treatment of horses with upper airway obstruction, but would appear to require close attention to exercise intensity. Multiple measurements of recorded sounds might be needed to obtain sufficient accuracy for clinical use.     

Effect of chronic airway inflammation and exercise on pulmonary and systemic antioxidant status of healthy and heaves-affected horses

In heaves-affected horses the relation between oxidant status, airway inflammation (AI) and pulmonary function (PF) is unknown. The oxidant status of blood and pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF) of healthy (H, n = 6) and heaves-affected horses in clinical remission (REM, n = 6) and in crisis (CR, n = 7) was assessed at rest, during and after standardised exercise test by measurement of reduced and oxidised glutathione, glutathione redox ratio [GRR%]; uric acid and 8-epi-PGF2alpha. Oxidant status was related to PF parameters (mechanics of breathing and arterial blood gas tension) and Al parameters (bronchoalveolar lavage [BAL] neutrophil % and AI score). Haemolysate glutathione was significantly different between groups and was correlated with PF and AI parameters; GRR in PELF was increased during CR and was correlated with PF and AI parameters. Exercise induced an increase of plasma uric acid that was significantly higher both in REM and CR. PELF 8-epi-PGF2alpha was significantly increased in CR and correlated with PF and AI parameters. These results suggest that oxidative stress occurring in heaves is correlated with PF and AI and may be locally assessed by PELF glutathione status, uric acid and 8-epi-PGF2alpha. Systemic repercussions are reflected by assay of GSH in resting horses and by uric acid in exercising horses.     

Endothelin response during and after exercise in horses

The objective of the present study was to measure plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) at rest and during exercise in the horse. Six healthy, Standardbred and Thoroughbred mares (5.3+/-0.8 years; 445.2+/-13.1 kg) which were unfit, but otherwise accustomed to running on the treadmill, were used in the study. Plasma ET-1 concentrations were measured using a commercially available radioimmunoassay kit. Horses performed three trials: a standing control (CON) trial where blood was collected from the jugular vein every minute for 5 min; a graded exercise test (GXT) where blood samples were collected at the end of each 1 min step of an incremental exercise test; and a 15 min submaximal (60% VO(2max)) steady-state exercise test (SST) where blood samples were collected 1 min before, immediately after, and at 2 min, 10 min and 20 min post-exercise. Plasma ET-1 concentration did not change (P>0.05) during the CON trial where it averaged 0.18+/- 0.03 pg/mL (mean+/-SE). Surprisingly, plasma ET-1 concentration did not change during the GXT trial where it averaged 0.20+/-0.03 pg/mL. There were no differences between the mean concentrations obtained in either trial (P>0.05). Plasma ET-1 concentrations were, however, significantly elevated (P<0.05) immediately following exercise and at 2 min post-exercise in the SST. Post-exercise plasma ET-1 concentrations returned to baseline (P>0.05) by 10 min of recovery. Together, these data may suggest that ET-1 concentrations are altered in response to an exercise challenge.     

Influence of furosemide on hemodynamic responses during exercise in horses.

Four hours prior to exercise on a high-speed treadmill, 4 dosages of furosemide (0.25, 0.50, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg of body weight) and a control treatment (10 ml of 0.9% NaCl) were administered IV to 6 horses. Carotid arterial pressure (CAP), pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), and heart rate were not different in resting horses before and 4 hours after furosemide administration. Furosemide at dosage of 2 mg/kg reduced resting right atrial pressure (RAP) 4 hours after furosemide injection. During exercise, increases in treadmill speed were associated with increases in RAP, CAP, PAP, and heart rate. Furosemide (0.25 to 2 mg/kg), administered 4 hours before exercise, reduced RAP and PAP during exercise in dose-dependent manner, but did not influence heart rate. Mean CAP was reduced by the 2-mg/kg furosemide dosage during exercise at 9 and 11 m/s, but not at 13 m/s. During recovery, only RAP was decreased by furosemide administration. Plasma lactate concentration was not significantly influenced by furosemide administration. Furosemide did not influence PCV or hemoglobin concentration at rest prior to exercise, but did increase both variables in dose-dependent manner during exercise and recovery. However, the magnitude of the changes in PCV and hemoglobin concentration were small in comparison with changes in RAP and PAP, and indicate that furosemide has other properties in addition to its diuretic activities. Furosemide may mediate some of its cardiopulmonary effects by vasodilatory activities that directly lower pulmonary arterial pressure, but also increase venous capacitance, thereby reducing venous return to the atria and cardiac filling.     

Temperature regulation in horses during exercise and recovery in a cool environment

Background

Clipping the winter coat in horses is done to improve heat dissipation during exercise and make grooming easier. It is often combined with blanketing to keep the horse warm. The aims of the present study were to investigate how clipping and the use of blankets affect thermoregulation during exercise and recovery in horses.

Methods

One Gotland pony, one New Forest pony, and one warm-blooded horse exercised one after the other on a 6450 m long track. The horses walked, trotted and cantered according to a predetermined scheme, which took about 50 minutes including three stops. The scheme was repeated on five consecutive days when horses were: 1) unclipped 2) unclipped + blanket during recovery, 3) left or right side clipped, 4) clipped, and 5) clipped + riding blanket + blanket during recovery. Heart rate (HR) was measured with telemetry, respiratory rate (RR) by counting flank contractions, skin temperatures by thermistor probes, and rectal temperature with a digital thermometer. Skin wetness (SW) was estimated by ocular inspection (dripping = 5, dry = 0).

Results

Mean outdoor temperature varied from -1.1 to - 8.7°C. HR increased progressively during exercise with no difference between treatments. Maximum RR was 77 ± 30 breaths/min (unclipped) and 49 ± 27 breaths/min (clipped). The lowest skin temperature was 17.5 ± 2.7°C in a hind leg during exercise, which increased to 34.5 ± 0.1°C during recovery. Rectal temperature was elevated during recovery in unclipped, but not in clipped horses and skin temperature at base of tail was elevated during recovery except in unclipped horses without blanket. Moisture after exercise scored 3.2 ± 0.8 in unclipped and zero in clipped horses.

Discussion and conclusion

Leg skin temperature initially dropped at onset of exercise in clipped horses, and then increased after about 30 minutes due to internal heat from the working muscles. These changes were not significant when clipped horses had riding blankets, whereas unclipped horses became overheated as judged from respiratory rate and elevated rectal temperature. Providing clipped horses with blankets dampened the changes in leg skin temperature during exercise.     

Development of equine upper airway fluid mechanics model for Thoroughbred racehorses

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models provide the means to evaluate airflow in the upper airways without requiring in vivo experiments. HYPOTHESIS: The physiological conditions of a Thoroughbred racehorse's upper airway during exercise could be simulated. Methods: Computed tomography scanned images of a 3-year-old intact male Thoroughbred racehorse cadaver were used to simulate in vivo geometry. Airway pressure traces from a live Thoroughbred horse, during exercise was used to set the boundary condition. Fluid-flow equations were solved for turbulent flow in the airway during inspiratory and expiratory phases. The wall pressure turbulent kinetic energy and velocity distributions were studied at different cross-sections along the airway. This provided insight into the general flow pattern and helped identify regions susceptible to dynamic collapse. RESULTS: The airflow velocity and static tracheal pressure were comparable to data of horses exercising on a high-speed treadmill reported in recent literature. The cross-sectional area of the fully dilated rima glottidis was 7% greater than the trachea. During inspiration, the area of highest turbulence (i.e. kinetic energy) was in the larynx, the rostral aspect of the nasopharynx was subjected to the most negative wall pressure and the highest airflow velocity is more caudal on the ventral aspect of the nasopharynx (i.e. the soft palate). During exhalation, the area of highest turbulence was in the rostral and mid-nasopharynx, the maximum positive pressure was observed at the caudal aspect of the soft palate and the highest airflow velocity at the front of the nasopharynx. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In the equine upper airway collapsible area, the floor of the rostral aspect of the nasopharynx is subjected to the most significant collapsing pressure with high average turbulent kinetic during inhalation, which may lead to palatal instability and explain the high prevalence of dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) in racehorses. Maximal abduction of the arytenoid cartilage may not be needed for optimal performance, since the trachea cross-sectional area is 7% smaller than the rima glottidis.     

Changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis in horses during exercise

Changes in clotting time (CT) and fibrinolytic activity (FA) were evaluated in 6 mature, female horses during exercise. Two trials were performed on consecutive days, using a randomized crossover design. Each mare was assigned to either an exercise trial or a control trial on the first day, and to the alternate trial 24 hours later. Mares exercised for 20 minutes on a treadmill at an elevation of 2 degrees and a velocity of 5 m/s. Venous blood samples were collected immediately before exercise, at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 minutes during exercise, and 15 minutes after cessation of exercise. Blood was placed into plain glass tubes for determination of CT, and into chilled, citrated tubes for determination of FA, plasminogen/plasmin complex activity (PLG), one-stage prothrombin time (OSPT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and antithrombin-III (AT-III) activity. There were significant differences (P less than 0.05) between the control and exercise groups for CT, FA, and PLG. During exercise, clotting time decreased from 21.5 +/- 1.6 minutes to 9.9 +/- 1.6 minutes (mean +/- SD; P less than 0.05), without significant changes in OSPT, APTT, or AT-III. Fibrinolytic activity and PLG increased (P less than 0.05) during exercise. Changes in CT, FA, and PLG were significant at 4 minutes of exercise, remained altered until the end of exercise, and returned to baseline values by 15 minutes of recovery. Clotting time, OSPT, APTT, FA, AT-III, and PLG did not change (P greater than 0.05) during control trials.     

Pulmonary mechanics during treadmill exercise in race ponies

Exercise-induced variations in their ventilatory mechanics were studied in 8 healthy ponies 4.2±1.4 years old and weighing 282±11 kg. Airflow (V), tidal volume (VT), esophageal pressure, mask pressure and electrocardiogram were simultaneously recorded before, during and after a treadmill (incline 8.3°) exercise which consisted of 2 min walking (1.5 m.sec^-1), 3 min slow trotting (3.0 m.sec^-1) and 3 min fast trotting (3.5 m.sec^-1). The results of three consecutive daily measurements were averaged for each pony.Heart rate, minute volume (Ve), respiratory frequency (f) and peak inspiratory and expiratory V, mean inspiratory and expiratory V, and peak to peak changes in traspulmonary pressure (maxdPtp) increased linearly and significantly with increasing velocity (v) (R²=0.99). Tidal volume and the inspiratory time to total breathing time ratio showed a curvilinar relation with v (R²=0.99). Minute volume, maxdPtp, total pulmonary resistance (RL) and VT increased from rest to fast trot 6.7, 5.7, 1.5 and 1.6 times respectively. When the ponies stopped all these values decreased significantly. After 5 min recovery, the Ve was approximately doubled, VT and max dPtp unchanged and RL 30% smaller than their respective resting values. The exercise-induced increase in Ve was achieved by an increase in f at both low and high intensity of work.     

Respiratory mechanics in Standardbred horses with sub-clinical inflammatory airway disease and poor athletic performance

The aim of this study was to investigate and quantify respiratory mechanical dysfunctions in Standardbred horses with both poor performance and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology characteristic of inflammatory airway disease (IAD). A control group of healthy Standardbred horses was compared. Respiratory mechanics and breathing pattern were examined at rest and during hyperventilation induced using a rebreathing method. At rest, respiratory mechanics and breathing pattern were superimposable in both groups. In IAD horses, rebreathing increased ventilation, with larger tidal volumes and lower respiratory frequencies. During hyperventilation, IAD animals showed frequency-dependent dynamic lung compliance, and had greater viscous lung resistance and rate of dynamic work of breathing. As IAD alters pulmonary mechanics, the ventilatory load increases and horses requiring significantly higher energy for breathing may suffer restrictions in their athletic performance. This rebreathing method permits early evaluation of respiratory mechanical dysfunction in poorly performing horses with sub-clinical IAD.