Effect of omeprazole on markers of performance in gastric ulcer-free standardbred horses.

This research examines the possible effect of omeprazole, a medication often used to treat gastric ulcers in horses, on performance markers in healthy, ulcer-free standardbred horses. The study found no significant impact of omeprazole on these horses’ performance.

Research Design and Methodology

A group of ten unfit, healthy, and ulcer-free Standardbred mares were randomly chosen for the study. The treatment was administered in a crossover manner, which is akin to the flip of a coin to decide which horse received a control substance (apple sauce) and which received omeprazole (a gastric ulcer treatment). This method was employed to reduce biases in the experiment. During the experimental phase, the investigators were blind to the treatment each horse got, eliminating personal bias during evaluation.

The horses were subjected to an incremental exercise test on a high-speed treadmill after a seven-day administration of the treatments. Before the start of the experimental trial, endoscopic examinations were performed to reconfirm the ulcer-free status of the horses.

Recording of Performance Indicators

During the exercise challenge, the investigators measured:

• Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), indicative of the horse’s aerobic capacity
• Run time (RT) and maximal velocity (Vmax)
• Velocity at VO2max, a reflection of the horse’s maximal aerobic speed
• Concentration of plasma lactate (LA), a marker of the anaerobic threshold
• Packed cell volume (PCV), plasma protein concentration (TP), which are indicators of hydration status and protein balance.

These parameters were recorded both at rest and at various intervals during and after the exercising stage.

Data Analysis & Results

The data collected were analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures and t tests for paired comparisons. Both statistical tests are commonly used in scientific research for comparing the means of different groups and pairs respectively.

The analyses revealed no effect of omeprazole on the tested parameters (P>0.05), suggesting that the use of omeprazole does not affect the performance of healthy, ulcer-free horses.

Conclusions

The outcome of this research suggests that omeprazole does not enhance physiological performance markers in horses that are healthy and free from ulcers. This information may guide policy decisions for administering omeprazole in performance horses, as well as inform clinicians and horse owners about its potential effects or lack thereof.