FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Field-applicable low-intensity exercise induces bronchodilat...
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.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2025-11-04 PubMed ID: 41187975DOI: 10.1111/evj.70111Google 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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

References

This article includes 49 references
  1. Golding E, Neavyn Neita A, Walshe N, Hanlon A, Mulcahy G, Duggan V. Survey of the knowledge and perceptions of horse owners in Ireland of common clinical conditions and their impact. Equine Vet J 2023;55:270–281.
  2. Mainguy‐Seers S, Lavoie JP. Glucocorticoid treatment in horses with asthma: a narrative review. J Vet Intern Med 2021;35:2045–2057.
  3. de Lima FF, Pinheiro DHA, de Carvalho CRF. Physical training in adults with asthma: an integrative approach on strategies, mechanisms, and benefits. Front Rehabil Sci 2023;4:1115352.
  4. Jaakkola JJK, Aalto SAM, Hernberg S, Kiihamäki SP, Jaakkola MS. Regular exercise improves asthma control in adults: a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep 2019;9:12088.
  5. Weiler JM, Anderson SD, Randolph C, Bonini S, Craig TJ, Pearlman DS. Pathogenesis, prevalence, diagnosis, and management of exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction: a practice parameter. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2010;105:S1–S47.
  6. Welch R, Lardenoye M, Kolbe J, Ellyett K. Exercise induced bronchodilation: a phenomenon more common, greater magnitude and more prolonged in older adults than in adolescents. J Asthma 2023;60:1016–1023.
  7. Gotshall RW. Airway response during exercise and hyperpnoea in non‐asthmatic and asthmatic individuals. Sports Med 2006;36:513–527.
  8. Art T, Serteyn D, Lekeux P. Effect of exercise on the partitioning of equine respiratory resistance. Equine Vet J 1988;20:268–273.
  9. Art T, Lekeux P. Respiratory airflow patterns in ponies at rest and during exercise. Can J Vet Res 1988;52:299–303.
  10. Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Bizzotto D, Dellacà R, Lavoie JP, Ferrucci F. Respiratory oscillometry testing in relation to exercise in healthy and asthmatic Thoroughbreds. Equine Vet J 2025;57(1):28–37.
  11. Art T, Anderson L, Woakes AJ, Roberts C, Butler PJ, Snow DH. Mechanics of breathing during strenuous exercise in Thoroughbred horses. Respir Physiol 1990;82:279–294.
  12. Herteman N, Mosing M, Waldmann AD, Gerber V, Schoster A. Exercise‐induced airflow changes in horses with asthma measured by electrical impedance tomography. J Vet Intern Med 2021;35:2500–2510.
  13. Art T, Duvivier DH, Votion D, Anciaux N, Vandenput S, Bayly WM. Does an acute COPD crisis modify the cardiorespiratory and ventilatory adjustments to exercise in horses?. J Appl Physiol 1998;84:845–852.
  14. Duvivier DH, Bayly WM, Votion D, Vandenput S, Art T, Farnir F. Effects of inhaled dry powder ipratropium bromide on recovery from exercise of horses with COPD. Equine Vet J 1999;31:20–24.
  15. Jochmans‐Lemoine A, Picotte K, Beauchamp G, Vargas A, Lavoie JP. Effects of a propriety oiled mixed hay feeding system on lung function, neutrophilic airway inflammation and oxidative stress in severe asthmatic horses. Equine Vet J 2020;52:564–571.
  16. Jean D, Vrins A, Lavoie JP. Monthly, daily, and circadian variations of measurements of pulmonary mechanics in horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.. Am J Vet Res 1999;60:1341–1346.
  17. Lafortuna CL, Saibene F. Mechanics of breathing in horses at rest and during exercise.. J Exp Biol 1991;155:245–259.
  18. Evans DL, Kiddell L, Smith CL. Pulmonary function measurements immediately after exercise are correlated with neutrophil percentage in tracheal aspirates in horses with poor racing performance.. Res Vet Sci 2011;90:510–515.
  19. Ivester KM, Couetil LL, Moore GE. An observational study of environmental exposures, airway cytology, and performance in racing Thoroughbreds.. J Vet Intern Med 2018;32:1754–1762.
  20. Yasuda Y, Wang L, Chitano P, Seow CY. Critical roles of airway smooth muscle in mediating deep‐inspiration‐induced bronchodilation: a big stretch?. Respir Res 2023;24:250.
  21. Al‐Jumaily AM, Mbikou P, Redey PR. Effect of length oscillations on airway smooth muscle reactivity and cross‐bridge cycling.. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2012;303:L286–L294.
  22. Curtis RA, Kusano K, Evans DL. Observations on respiratory flow strategies during and after intense treadmill exercise to fatigue in Thoroughbred racehorses.. Equine Vet J 2006;38(S36):567–572.
  23. Pellegrino R, Sterk PJ, Sont JK, Brusasco V. Assessing the effect of deep inhalation on airway calibre: a novel approach to lung function in bronchial asthma and COPD.. Eur Respir J 1998;12:1219–1227.
  24. Gobbi A, Pellegrino R, Gulotta C, Antonelli A, Pompilio P, Crimi C. Short‐term variability in respiratory impedance and effect of deep breath in asthmatic and healthy subjects with airway smooth muscle activation and unloading.. J Appl Physiol 2013;115(5):708–715.
  25. Nagata S, Takeda F, Kurosawa M, Mima K, Hiraga A, Kai M. Plasma adrenocorticotropin, cortisol and catecholamines response to various exercises.. Equine Vet J 1999;31(S30):570–574.
  26. Astin TW, Barer GR, Shaw JW, Warren PM. The action of carbon dioxide on constricted airways.. J Physiol 1973;235:607–623.
  27. Shigemura M, Sznajder JI. Elevated CO2 modulates airway contractility.. Interface Focus 2021;11:20200021.
  28. Bayly WM, Hodgson DR, Schulz DA, Dempsey JA, Gollnick PD. Exercise‐induced hypercapnia in the horse.. J Appl Physiol 1989;67(5):1958–1966.
  29. Dwyer TJ, Daviskas E, Zainuldin R, Verschuer J, Eberl S, Bye PTP. Effects of exercise and airway clearance (positive expiratory pressure) on mucus clearance in cystic fibrosis: a randomised crossover trial.. Eur Respir J 2019;53:1801793.
  30. Tipton MJ, Kadinopoulos P, de Sa DR, Barwood MJ. Changes in lung function during exercise are independently mediated by increases in deep body temperature.. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2017;3:e000210.
  31. Beck KC. Control of airway function during and after exercise in asthmatics.. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1999;31:S4–S11.
  32. Pollmann U, Hörnicke H. Characteristics of respiratory airflow during exercise in horses with reduced performance due to pulmonary emphysema or bronchitis.. Second international conference on equine exercise physiology San Diego, CA: ICEEP Publications; 1986.
  33. Gillespie JR, Tyler WS, Eberly VE. Blood pH, O2, and Co2 tensions in exercised control and emphysematous horses.. Am J Physiol 1964;207:1067–1072.
  34. Littlejohn A, Bowles F. Studies on the physiopathology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the horse. V. Blood gas and acid‐base values during exercise.. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 1981;48:239–249.
  35. Littlejohn A, Kruger JM, Bowles F. Exercise studies in horses: 2. The cardiac response to exercise in normal horses and in horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.. Equine Vet J 1977;9:75–83.
  36. Nyman G, Lindberg R, Weckner D, Björk M, Kvart C, Persson SG. Pulmonary gas exchange correlated to clinical signs and lung pathology in horses with chronic bronchiolitis.. Equine Vet J 1991;23:253–260.
  37. Bergsten G. Blood pressure, cardiac output, and blood‐gas tension in the horse at rest and during exercise.. Acta Vet Scand Suppl 1974;48:1–88.
  38. McPherson EA, Lawson GH. Some aspects of chronic pulmonary diseases of horses and methods used in their investigation.. Equine Vet J 1974;6:1–6.
  39. Boulet LP, Legris C, Turcotte H, Hébert J. Prevalence and characteristics of late asthmatic responses to exercise.. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1987;80:655–662.
  40. Davis MS, Royer CM, McKenzie EC, Williamson KK, Payton M, Marlin D. Cold air‐induced late‐phase bronchoconstriction in horses.. Equine Vet J 2006;38(S36):535–539.
  41. Art T, Lekeux P. Effect of environmental temperature and relative humidity on breathing pattern and heart rate in ponies during and after standardised exercise.. Vet Rec 1988;123:295–299.
  42. Davis MS, Lockard AJ, Marlin DJ, Freed AN. Airway cooling and mucosal injury during cold weather exercise.. Equine Vet J 2002;34(S34):413–416.
  43. Decloedt A, Borowicz H, Slowikowska M, Chiers K, van Loon G, Niedzwiedz A. Right ventricular function during acute exacerbation of severe equine asthma.. Equine Vet J 2017;49:603–608.
  44. Rubie S, Robinson NE, Stoll M, Broadstone RV, Derksen FJ. Flunixin meglumine blocks frusemide‐induced bronchodilation in horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.. Equine Vet J 1993;25:138–142.
  45. Gray PR, Derksen FJ, Robinson NE, Carpenter‐Deyo LJ, Johnson HG, Roth RA. The role of cyclooxygenase products in the acute airway obstruction and airway hyperreactivity of ponies with heaves.. Am Rev Respir Dis 1989;140:154–160.
  46. Aguilera‐Tejero E, Pascoe JR, Woliner MJ. Modulation of bronchial responsiveness in horses by phenylbutazone and furosemide.. Am J Vet Res 1993;54:1703–1709.
  47. Gelb AF, Tashkin DP, Epstein JD, Gong H, Zamel N. Exercise‐induced bronchodilation in asthma.. Chest 1985;87:196–201.
  48. Pastva A, Estell K, Schoeb TR, Atkinson TP, Schwiebert LM. Aerobic exercise attenuates airway inflammatory responses in a mouse model of atopic asthma.. J Immunol 2004;172:4520–4526.
  49. Alberca‐Custodio RW, Greiffo FR, MacKenzie B, Oliveira‐Junior MC, Andrade‐Sousa AS, Graudenz GS. Aerobic exercise reduces asthma phenotype by modulation of the leukotriene pathway.. Front Immunol 2016;7:237.

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,005 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.