Effect of a respiratory gas collection mask on some measurements of cardiovascular and respiratory function in horses exercising on a treadmill

The effects of a respiratory gas collection mask on arterial blood gases, acid base values, oxygen content, respiratory frequency and heart rate, were investigated in standardbred horses during treadmill exercise at speeds up to 10 m sec-1 and a treadmill slope of 10 per cent. The mask had no significant effect on heart rates during exercise, but respiratory frequency was lower when the mask was used. The increase in respiratory frequency as treadmill velocity increased was also significantly slower with the mask operative. Arterial carbon dioxide tensions were significantly higher during exercise with the mask than without, and arterial oxygen tension was significantly lower at the highest exercise intensity. Arterial oxygen content was significantly lower at all work speeds when the mask was used. There were minimal effects of the mask on arterial acid base values. It was concluded that a respiratory gas collection mask caused alveolar hypoventilation in exercising horses, but did not markedly influence heart rate or arterial acid base values during exercise.