Effect of bedding on the incidence of exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage in racehorses in Hong Kong.

The research article examines the impact of bedding types, specifically paper versus straw, on the occurrence of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in racehorses in Hong Kong.

Context and Objective of the Study:

• The study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH), a condition characterized by bleeding from the lungs during or after strenuous exercise in racehorses.
• It had been hypothesized that dust, particularly from straw bedding, could contribute to lung hemorrhage in horses.
• Consequently, the study aimed to establish any significant differences in the incidence of EIPH, in horses bedded on paper as opposed to those bedded on straw.

Study Design and Implementation:

• The study spanned over the 1981 to 1983 racing seasons in Hong Kong.
• Over this period, a total of 1039 post-race endoscopic examinations were performed during the 1982-1983 season.
• A proportion of horses were switched from straw bedding to paper bedding in the 1982-83 season to help determine whether bedding material affected the occurrence of EIPH.

Findings of the Study:

• Results from the study showed that 46.8% of runners had EIPH in the 1982-83 season, which was not statistically different from the 46.9% of horses that displayed EIPH in the 1981-82 season.
• Importantly, the study found that there was no significant difference in the incidence of EIPH in horses bedded on paper compared to those bedded on straw.

Implications and Conclusions:

• The findings of the study dispute the hypothesis that dust from straw bedding increases the incidence of pulmonary haemorrhage in racehorses.
• Thus, this research suggests that the type of bedding, specifically straw or paper, does not significantly contribute to the occurrence of EIPH in racehorses.