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Because of its peculiar conformation, the horse's respiratory system requires special attention in daily management, especially during sporting activity. In fact, respiratory problems in horses are the second most common cause of poor performance in horses in training. Equiplanet would like to provide you with some information and suggest measures to be taken to improve your horse's performance.
What is the role of the respiratory system?
The main function of the respiratory system is gas exchange: oxygen is transferred from the environment to the blood and carbon dioxide in the opposite direction.
The main function of the respiratory system is gas exchange: oxygen is transferred from the environment to the blood and carbon dioxide in the opposite direction. Other important functions:
- - thermoregulation
- - acid/base regulation together with the kidney
- - functioning of the endocrine system
- - immune response
The most serious consequence of a problem with the respiratory system is that it affects gas exchange, resulting in a decrease in oxygenation and an excessive accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood. This leads to the signs of respiratory stress in horses: rapid, short, shallow breathing and abnormal head posture (downward or outward).
What are the characteristics of the horse's respiratory system?
The horse's respiratory system comprises small and large airways and the lungs. First of all, unlike man, the horse only breathes through its nose and not through its mouth. This is because the soft palate is very long and extends to the base of the epiglottis. Therefore, air cannot enter the mouth to reach the trachea because the soft palate blocks the flow of air. This explains why the horse's nasal passages are anatomically very wide and can widen considerably during physical exertion to increase air intake.
How does breathing work?
At the moment of inhalation, the air from the nostrils arrives in the trachea, then divides into the two channels that are the bronchi and then into the small airways: bronchioles and alveoli within the lung. This process seems simple, but it requires the interconnection of many nerves, muscles, cartilages and other anatomical structures to ensure the flow of air to and from the alveoli. This is particularly important in sport horses, especially those involved in speed disciplines.
What are the characteristics of the horse's respiratory system?
The horse's respiratory system comprises small and large airways and the lungs. First of all, unlike man, the horse only breathes through its nose and not through its mouth. This is because the soft palate is very long and extends to the base of the epiglottis. Therefore, air cannot enter the mouth to reach the trachea because the soft palate blocks the flow of air. This explains why the horse's nasal passages are anatomically very wide and can widen considerably during physical exertion to increase air intake.
What happens to the horse's respiratory system during exercise?
Una prestazione atletica di successo richiede una complessa connessione tra i diversi apparati corporei, in particolare tra tre: respiratorio, cardiovascolare e muscolo-scheletrico. Per quanto attiene all’apparato respiratorio del cavallo, deve esserci un bilanciamento tra l’apporto di ossigeno e il suo consumo ad opera dell’apparato muscolare. Durante l’esercizio, la quantità di aria spostata dentro e fuori i polmoni aumenta in proporzione diretta alla velocità con cui il cavallo corre. Se un cavallo corre due volte più veloce, deve muovere il doppio dell'aria dentro e fuori.
Curiosities about the horse's respiratory system:
When the horse is galloping, the blood pressure in the pulmonary blood vessels is at least 4 times higher than when the horse is at rest.
Jumping horses hold their breath during jumps and do not breathe again until they receive, at which point they begin to exhale or breathe out.
Can the horse's respiratory system be trained?
Unlike the muscular system, the horse's respiratory system cannot be trained: the amount of air inhaled and exhaled at a constant rate by an unfit horse will be the same as when that horse is in full athletic shape.
Alterations in the horse's respiratory system: can they compromise performance?
Well-being related to the respiratory system is the second leading cause of poor performance in sport horses. Balance can break down at any point in the respiratory tract.
We know that, in canter and gallop, each respiratory act corresponds to a stride. This is called "respiratory-locomotor coupling". It is quite understandable that, because of this link, everything that affects the horse's breathing also affects his stride. Certainly, a significant limitation in oxygen transport contributes to the appearance of locomotor muscle fatigue. Any dysfunction of the respiratory system leads to an impairment of aerobic metabolism and consequently can further impair performance
What are the stressors that can affect the horse's respiratory system?
There are many causes of stress for the horse: from physical activity to nutrition to the environment in which the horse lives. In horses subjected to intense work, the increase in resistance puts the very thin walls of the pulmonary blood vessels under stress and causes them to rupture. To strengthen the vessel walls, complementary feeds containing Vitamin C, such as Protex C, should be given.
Vitamin C is widely recognized in the literature for its vasoprotective role, but a study also reports its ability to counter systemic oxidative stress and its usefulness therefore also in horses with recurrent airway obstructions.
Vitamin C (10.000 mg/kg) is also one of the components of Horse Immunofluid, a complementary feed to promote the welfare of the horse, whose main component are products obtained from the processing of dried vegetables such as Ribes nigrum, Eucalyptus globulus, Thymus vulgaris, Astragalus membranaceus. There is also a botanically defined natural product within the composition, Echinacea angustifolia (for the complete composition of the complementary feed send an email to info@equiplanet.it). This product is recommended when stress is due to environmental antigens that may irritate the upper airways.
What is the correct management to promote the wellbeing of the horse's respiratory system?
- - Keep the horse in the paddock for as long as possible during the day
- Avoid dusty hay
- - Keeping the environment clean and well ventilated
- - Avoid straw as bedding
- - Avoid alfalfa fodder: increased excretion of ammonium in the urine can lead to accumulation of ammonia in the environment, with irritation of the respiratory mucosa
How can the horse's respiratory system be supported?
You can support the wellbeing of the horse's respiratory system by paying attention to certain crucial phases such as weaning, feed changes and the introduction of new animals into the stable. You can also support the physiology of the horse's respiratory system with complementary feeds with a balsamic action such as Jodoresp. This product is based on plant extracts and essential oils with the following properties:
- - THYME reduces airway resistance
- LAVENDER relaxes smooth muscles
- - MINT antitussive and balsamic activity
- - SILVER PINE balsamic activity
- - EUCALYPTUS helps eliminate mucus
- - NIAOULY helps eliminate mucus antiseptic
- - IODIUM expectorant
Jodoresp
Jodoresp (for the complete composition of the complementary feed send an email to info@equiplanet.it) should not be used in pregnant mares because it stimulates the beta adrenergic receptors of the involuntary smooth muscles, such as respiratory but also uterine, causing contractions.
The equine upper airway is very complex and delicate: Air flows are very high when the horse is active, which means that even a small abnormality can lead to a large decrease in performance. If you need further information for your horse send us an email and we will get back to you as soon as possible info@equiplanet.it
Bibliography
Is the healthy respiratory system built just right, overbuilt, or underbuilt to meet the demands imposed by exercise? JA Dempsey 2020
Franklin, S. H.; Van Erck-Westergren, E.; Bayly, W. M. (2012). Respiratory responses to exercise in the horse. Equine Veterinary Journal, 44(6), 726–732.
Diseases of the Respiratory System Veterinary Medicine. 2017 : 845–1090.
Oxidant‐Antioxidant Status in the Blood of Horses with Symptomatic Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO), A Niedzwiedz 2014
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