Effect of gastric ulceration on physiologic responses to exercise in horses.
Abstract: To develop a protocol to induce and maintain gastric ulceration in horses and to determine whether gastric ulceration affects physiologic indices of performance during high-speed treadmill exercise. Methods: 20 healthy Thoroughbreds. Methods: Each horse was acclimatized to treadmill exercise during a 2-week period. Subsequently, baseline data were collected (day 0) and each horse began an incrementally increasing exercise training program (days 1 through 56). Beginning on day 14, horses were administered omeprazole (4 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h until day 56) or no drug (10 horses/group) and underwent alternating 24-hour periods of feeding and feed withholding for 10 days to induce gastric ulceration. Extent of gastric ulceration was assessed weekly thereafter via gastroscopy. Physiologic indices of performance were measured at days 0 and 56. Gastric ulceration and exercise performance indices were compared within and between groups. Results: In untreated horses, gastric ulcers were induced and maintained through day 56. Gastric ulcer formation was prevented in omeprazole-treated horses. There were significant interactions between time (pre- and post-training data) and treatment (nonulcer and ulcer groups) for mass-specific maximal O(2) consumption ([Formula: see text]O(2max)/M(b)) and mass-specific maximal CO(2) production ([Formula: see text]CO(2max)/M(b)). Post hoc analysis revealed a difference between groups for [Formula: see text]O(2max)/M(b) at day 56. Within-group differences for [Formula: see text]O(2max)/M(b) and [Formula: see text]CO(2max)/M(b) were detected for omeprazole-treated horses, but not for the horses with ulcers. Conclusions: In horses, gastric ulcers were induced and maintained by use of alternating periods of feeding and feed withholding in association with treadmill exercise (simulated racetrack training). Gastric ulcers adversely affected physiologic indices of performance in horses.
Publication Date: 2009-06-06 PubMed ID: 19496670DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.70.6.787Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- 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 study examines the impacts of gastric ulcers on performance indices in racehorses during high-speed treadmill exercise. The researchers managed to effectively induce and maintain gastric ulcers in certain horses through alternating periods of feeding and exercise, and determined that these ulcers significantly hamper performance elements in these animals.
Research Methods and Objectives
- The primary objective of this study was to devise a method to bring about and sustain gastric ulceration in horses, and to evaluate the impact of such ulcers on performance outcomes during high-speed treadmill exercise.
- To achieve this, the researchers subjected 20 healthy thoroughbreds in different groups to varied treatments, exercises, and feeding patterns.
- The horses were initially adapted to treadmill exercise over a course of two weeks prior to gathering baseline data.
- Following the data collection, each horse embarked on an exercise regimen which gradually increased over the span of 56 days. During this period, they either received omeprazole (a medication to prevent gastric ulcers) or no drug at all.
- From the 14th day onwards, the horses were subjected to alternating 24-hour periods of feeding and not feeding for ten days to bring on gastric ulceration. The extent of ulceration was inspected weekly via a process called gastroscopy.
Key Findings
- The findings showed that without medication, gastric ulcers could be induced and maintained in horses till the 56th day.
- On the other hand, gastric ulcer development was prevented in horses that were treated with omeprazole.
- There were significant interactions discovered between time (pre- and post-training information) and treatment (non-ulcer and ulcer groups) for parameters such as mass-specific maximal oxygen consumption, and mass-specific maximal carbon dioxide production.
- A posthoc analysis revealed a notable difference between groups at the 56th day in terms of maximal oxygen consumption. Changes in parameters related to oxygen and carbon dioxide were reported for omeprazole-treated horses, but not for horses with ulcers.
Conclusion
- Thus, the study found that gastric ulcers in horses could be effectively induced and maintained using alternating periods of feeding and vigorous treadmill exercise, which mimics racetrack training.
- The presence of gastric ulcers was found to negatively affect performance indices in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Nieto JE, Snyder JR, Vatistas NJ, Jones JH.
(2009).
Effect of gastric ulceration on physiologic responses to exercise in horses.
Am J Vet Res, 70(6), 787-795.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.70.6.787 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Ulcer Agents / therapeutic use
- Female
- Food Deprivation
- Gastric Mucosa / pathology
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Male
- Omeprazole / therapeutic use
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Stomach Ulcer / physiopathology
- Stomach Ulcer / prevention & control
- Stomach Ulcer / veterinary
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
