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Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association2000; 216(4); 554-558; doi: 10.2460/javma.2000.216.554

Causes of poor performance of horses during training, racing, or showing: 348 cases (1992-1996).

Abstract: To determine results for horses undergoing a high-speed treadmill examination, including videoendoscopy of the pharynx and larynx before and during exercise, echocardiography before and after exercise, and electrocardiography before, during, and after exercise, because of poor performance. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 348 horses. Results: A definitive diagnosis was obtained for 256 (73.5%) horses. One hundred forty-eight horses had dynamic obstruction of the airway during exercise, 33 had clinically important cardiac arrhythmias alone, 22 had a combination of dynamic airway obstruction and clinically important cardiac arrhythmias, 19 had poor cardiac fractional shortening immediately after exercise, 10 had exertional rhabdomyolyis, 15 had clinically apparent lameness, and 9 had other disorders. Thirty-nine of the horses with dynamic obstruction of the airway during exercise had multiple airway abnormalities. Fifty-three horses also had subclinical myopathy Conclusions: Results suggest that a complete evaluation, including a high-speed treadmill examination, should be conducted in horses with poor performance, regardless or whether horses do or do not have a history of abnormal respiratory noises and particularly if the horses have grade-II or -III left laryngeal hemiplegia.
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Publication Date: 2000-02-25 PubMed ID: 10687012DOI: 10.2460/javma.2000.216.554Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study examines why horses might underperform during training, racing, or showing. Researchers used various medical testing methods on 348 horses to find the causes of poor performance. The results showed that most horses had a physical ailment that caused their performance issues; diagnosable issues included conditions affecting airway functionality, cardiac arrhythmias, and others. The study concludes by recommending complete evaluations, involving high-speed treadmill examinations, for poorly performing horses, especially those with known respiratory issues or left laryngeal hemiplegia.

Research Methodology

  • The study was retrospective in nature, i.e., it looks back on past events or conditions and involved 348 horses.
  • The daignostic tools employed were videoendoscopy to the pharynx and larynx before and during exercise, echocardiography before and after exercise, and electrocardiography before, during, and after exercise. These methods were used to perform a high-speed treadmill examination.

Research Findings

  • Out of all tested horses, 256 (73.5%) had a definitive diagnosis.
  • One hundred forty-eight horses had dynamic obstruction of the airway during exercise.
  • Thirty-three horses had significant cardiac arrhythmias.
  • Twenty-two horses had a combination of dynamic airway obstruction and clinically important cardiac arrhythmias.
  • Nineteen horses had inferior cardiac fractional shortening immediately after exercise.
  • Ten horses were diagnosed with exertional rhabdomyolysis.
  • Fifteen horses showed clinically apparent lameness.
  • Nine horses had other disorders.
  • Among the horses with dynamic obstruction of the airway during exercise, 39 had multiple airway abnormalities.
  • Fifty-three other horses also had a subclinical myopathy.

Conclusion and Recommendation

  • The study suggests that horses with poor performance should undergo a full evaluation, including a high-speed treadmill examination. This is regardless of whether they’ve had a history of abnormal respiratory noises or not.
  • The recommendation is particularly urgent for horses suffering from grade-II or -III left laryngeal hemiplegia.

Cite This Article

APA
Martin BB, Reef VB, Parente EJ, Sage AD. (2000). Causes of poor performance of horses during training, racing, or showing: 348 cases (1992-1996). J Am Vet Med Assoc, 216(4), 554-558. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2000.216.554

Publication

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN: 0003-1488
NlmUniqueID: 7503067
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 216
Issue: 4
Pages: 554-558

Researcher Affiliations

Martin, B B
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square 19348, USA.
Reef, V B
    Parente, E J
      Sage, A D

        MeSH Terms

        • Airway Obstruction / diagnosis
        • Airway Obstruction / physiopathology
        • Airway Obstruction / veterinary
        • Animals
        • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnosis
        • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / physiopathology
        • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / veterinary
        • Arytenoid Cartilage / pathology
        • Cardiomyopathies / diagnosis
        • Cardiomyopathies / physiopathology
        • Cardiomyopathies / veterinary
        • Creatine Kinase / blood
        • Echocardiography / veterinary
        • Electrocardiography / veterinary
        • Exercise Test / veterinary
        • Female
        • Heart Murmurs / diagnosis
        • Heart Murmurs / physiopathology
        • Heart Murmurs / veterinary
        • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
        • Horse Diseases / etiology
        • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
        • Horses
        • Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
        • Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
        • Laryngeal Diseases / diagnosis
        • Laryngeal Diseases / physiopathology
        • Laryngeal Diseases / veterinary
        • Laryngoscopy / veterinary
        • Male
        • Physical Conditioning, Animal
        • Respiratory Sounds / diagnosis
        • Respiratory Sounds / physiopathology
        • Respiratory Sounds / veterinary
        • Retrospective Studies
        • Rhabdomyolysis / diagnosis
        • Rhabdomyolysis / physiopathology
        • Rhabdomyolysis / veterinary
        • Videotape Recording

        Citations

        This article has been cited 26 times.
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