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Equine veterinary journal2025; doi: 10.1111/evj.70111

Field-applicable low-intensity exercise induces bronchodilation in horses with severe asthma.

Abstract: Airway dysfunction in severe equine asthma (SEA) often results in early retirement or euthanasia of affected horses. Exercise-induced bronchodilation occurs in horses with SEA after intense treadmill exercise, but the effects of a lighter, field-applicable, training regimen remain largely unexplored. Objective: To evaluate the impact of submaximal aerobic exercise on airway obstruction during exacerbation of SEA. Methods: The preliminary phase explored the effects of a 25-min standardised exercise on the lung function of eight SEA horses. As notable bronchodilation occurred, the results were confirmed in a randomised controlled crossover protocol comparing the effect of the same standardised exercise on lung function with that of an equal duration turnout. Methods: Lung function was assessed by standard lung mechanics before and 15 min after the interventions (turnout and walk/trot lungeing exercise). To compare exercise-induced bronchodilation with that of a potent bronchodilator in the main study, salbutamol was administered after the turnout intervention only, and lung function was measured again 5 min later. Data were analysed with t tests, Wilcoxon tests, and mixed-effects models. Results: In the preliminary phase, exercise led to a mean 50% reduction in pulmonary resistance. This was confirmed in the main study, where pulmonary resistance decreased from 2.6 (2.1-3.3) to 1.3 cm (0.8-2.2) HO/L/s after exercise (p = 0.006), whereas it remained unchanged after the turnout intervention. Following salbutamol administration after the turnout, lung function was comparable to that of the lunged horses, suggesting that the extent of exercise-induced bronchodilation was similar to that achieved with a β2-adrenergic agonist. Conclusions: The small number of aged horses, the lack of blinding, and the focus on the short-term effects of exercise restrict the generalisability of the results. Conclusions: The rapid and potent bronchodilation achieved through brief aerobic exercise supports the investigation of a training program's impact on the management of SEA.
© 2025 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-11-04 PubMed ID: 41187975DOI: 10.1111/evj.70111Google 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.

Overview

  • This study investigated whether a practical, low-intensity aerobic exercise could reduce airway obstruction (bronchodilation) in horses suffering from severe equine asthma (SEA).
  • The researchers found that even moderate field exercise significantly improved lung function, similar in effect to a common asthma medication.

Background

  • Severe equine asthma (SEA) is a condition that impairs horses’ airways, leading to breathing difficulties, often causing early retirement or euthanasia.
  • Previous studies showed that intense treadmill exercise induces bronchodilation (airway widening) in SEA-affected horses.
  • The effects of lighter, more field-applicable exercise (e.g., walking and trotting in a natural environment) were not well understood.

Objective

  • To determine if submaximal aerobic exercise (a 25-minute standardized walking and trotting regimen) can improve lung function and reduce airway obstruction during SEA exacerbation.

Methods

  • Preliminary phase: Assessed lung function in eight SEA horses before and after a 25-minute standardized exercise session to observe bronchodilation.
  • Noting significant improvement, a randomised controlled crossover study was conducted comparing exercise to turnout (time spent turned out without exercise) of equal duration.
  • Lung function was measured using standard lung mechanics before and 15 minutes after interventions (exercise or turnout).
  • After the turnout intervention only, the horses received salbutamol (a potent bronchodilator), and lung function was recorded again 5 minutes later.
  • Statistical analysis included t tests, Wilcoxon tests, and mixed-effects models to compare changes across conditions.

Results

  • The preliminary phase showed exercise yielded about a 50% reduction in pulmonary resistance (a measure of airway obstruction), indicating significant bronchodilation.
  • In the main study, pulmonary resistance dropped from 2.6 cm HO/L/s pre-exercise to 1.3 cm HO/L/s post-exercise (p=0.006), demonstrating a significant improvement.
  • Lung function remained unchanged following mere turnout, indicating that just time spent outside without exercise did not affect airway obstruction.
  • After salbutamol administration (post-turnout), lung function improved to levels comparable to those seen after exercise, suggesting the exercise’s bronchodilation effect was as strong as the β2-adrenergic agonist medication.

Conclusions

  • Brief, moderate aerobic exercise induces rapid and powerful bronchodilation in horses with SEA, comparable to the effect of inhaled bronchodilator drugs.
  • This result highlights the potential for incorporating specific training programs into SEA management.
  • Limitations include a small sample size of older horses, lack of blinding, and focus only on short-term effects.
  • Further research is needed to explore long-term benefits and practical exercise protocols for SEA treatment.

Cite This Article

APA
Mainguy-Seers S, Grondin SM, Lavoie JP. (2025). Field-applicable low-intensity exercise induces bronchodilation in horses with severe asthma. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.70111

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Mainguy-Seers, Sophie
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada.
Grondin, Sarah-Maude
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada.
Lavoie, Jean-Pierre
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada.

Grant Funding

  • Equine Asthma Research Laboratory

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