respiratory | Horse Racing Free Tips

Can A Mechanical Device Improve Equine Lung Function?

Humans who have chronic lung or heart disease often breathe through a device that resists inhalation to increase muscle strength. Called inspiratory muscle training (IMT), this therapeutic technique trains both the diaphragm and the upper airway muscles to become stronger, improving respiratory strength, according to EQUUS magazine.

Dr. Kate Allen of the University of Bristol wanted to see if the technique could be applied to horses. In people, respiratory performance is limited by cardiovascular capacity; in horses, athletic performance is limited by respiratory function. Using IMT to improve the fitness and function of the respiratory muscles allows them to work more efficiently.

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Allen and a study team acclimated 10 Thoroughbreds in steeplechase training to wearing a mask fitted with valves that control the level of resistance to each inhalation. The horses underwent IMT training five days a week for nine weeks. During each session, the horse took 30 resistant breaths, was rested for two minutes, then took 30 more resisted breaths, all while standing still. The resistance was increased every four days, but the trial allowed for an increase or decrease in resistance depending on how the horse tolerated the change. The horses continued normal racing and training schedules during the study, and tests of each horse's respiratory strength were made before and after the IMT.

The scientists found that horses had no issues adapting to IMT training and that it can be used on horses in competition. The next study will look at IMT training and its impacts on physiologic and performance changes in the horses.

Goldencents Returns To Spendthrift Farm After Clinic Visit For Respiratory Issue

Veteran sire Goldencents is back at Spendthrift Farm after a stay at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute due to a respiratory issue, the social media account of the horse's racetrack owner WC Racing announced Wednesday.

BloodHorse reported on Friday that Spendthrift sent a message to the stallion's shareholders on June 17 had been admitted to the clinic. Initial reports from Spendthrift general manager Ned Toffey stated that the 11-year-old stallion responded quickly and positively to treatment.

Toffey's message to shareholders on Wednesday, shared through WC Racing's social media channel, said the Hagyard staff was unable to find a specific cause for the respiratory illness, but the stallion's response to treatment left him in “very good condition” and he is expected to return to the breeding shed as normal in 2022.

Goldencents, a two-time Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner, is a son of Spendthrift Farm's cornerstone stallion Into Mischief, and arguably his first true national-level star. He joined his sire on the Spendthrift roster in 2015, and he has four crops of racing age with combined earnings of more than $17.1 million.

His best runner to date is By My Standards, a four-time winner at the Grade 2 level, who most recently finished second in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park on June 5.

Other runners of note by Goldencents include Grade 2 winner Phantom Currency, and Grade 3 winners Mr. Money, Wildman Jack, and Going to Vegas.

Great News!! We are happy to report that Goldencents returned to Spendthrift this afternoon in very good condition. While the vets were unable to give us a specific cause for the respiratory issue, he has responded well to treatment.

— WC Racing (@WCRacingInc) June 23, 2021

Great News cont…any more this season however we fully expect that he will be back in the breeding shed in 2022. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Ned Toffey

— WC Racing (@WCRacingInc) June 23, 2021

He is back and healthy….Thanks @spendthriftfarm @marktoothaker @Hagyard pic.twitter.com/gtNk95TTus

— WC Racing (@WCRacingInc) June 23, 2021

The post Goldencents Returns To Spendthrift Farm After Clinic Visit For Respiratory Issue appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Further Analysis Of March EHV-1 Outbreak Reveals New Variant Of The Disease

In March, eight horses housed at a Pennsylvania show barn were diagnosed with EHV-1 after having elevated temperatures but no other signs of illness. The cause of the outbreak has been found to be a new variant of the EHV-1 H752 genotype. The variant contains the same mutation as the EHV-1 outbreak in France.

EHV-1 can cause respiratory disease in young horses, early death in foals, abortions in mares and occasionally neurological disease. Neurologic issues are fairly uncommon, but can cause the death of the affected horse.

The 31 horses that lived at the affected barn were treated with valacyclovir, and ill horses also received flunixin meglumine and sodium heparin. The investigation team, led by Dr. Nicola Pusterla, believe that the early administration of valacyclovir may have prevented additional horses from falling ill with neurologic complications. Additionally, they note the lack of respiratory symptoms in these cases may be related to the recent administration of EHV vaccinations.

The distribution of the new genotype is not known.

Read the case report here.

Dispelling Myths About Strangles

One of the more common equine respiratory diseases is strangles, a contagious bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus equi. Most horses recover from strangles with no complications, though the disease can make some horses very sick.

Affected horses may have a fever, get a snotty nose and feel poorly. Horses with strangles develop swollen, sore lymph nodes, particularly under their jaw. These abscesses eventually open and drain pus, Antibiotics are not necessary in most cases.

Horse Illustrated reports that there is a lot of misinformation surrounding the common and highly transmissible illness.

Some of the most common misconceptions about strangles include misunderstandings about how the disease spreads and how protect against it. Strangles is not spread through respiratory droplets in the air, but rather contact between horses or fomites — contaminated objects like buckets or halters. It also doesn't survive well in an outdoor environment or in soil. While there are vaccinations available for strangles, they may not be effective. Owners should consult a veterinarian for vaccine guidance.