The importance of cardiovascular performance in the sports horse

The importance of cardiovascular performance in sports horse is often overlooked. However, it plays an integral role in our horse’s strength, stamina, and chance of injury. So, how does the breathing apparatus support such vital aspects of our horse’s potential, and what can we do to help horse respiratory health?

Horses are natural athletes with their anatomy made up of a large heart, up to 50% muscle mass and an impressive lung capacity! These three components of the horse’s body play a vital role in performance – the muscles utilised for speed and power, the heart to transport nutrients and most importantly, the lungs to collect oxygen and expel carbon dioxide (CO2).

Oxygen is key in the biological process of energy production, utilised in cells to release energy stored within sugars and fats; this is called aerobic respiration. Although horses can produce energy without oxygen (anaerobic respiration), this is only sustainable in very short bursts. Anaerobic respiration is often only utilised in explosive movements such as the second on take-off when jumping, or for immediate acceleration.

Not only does breathing provide energy though, it also plays a role in removal of CO2, which can cause painful build ups of lactic acid, helping to control body pH, thermoregulation and hormone release.

Breathing is also important for horse performance because in the gaits of canter and gallop, breath is perfectly timed with stride. Therefore, anything wrong with breathing can have an effect in stride, and vice-versa, anything wrong with stride can have an effect on breathing! Abnormal gaits may lead to injury due to imbalances in loading, as well as quicker onset of fatigue which has also shown to increase the likelihood of injury.

What can be done to maximise cardiovascular health?

You can aid your horse’s overall respiratory through changes in diet, routine and equipment. However, before making any changes, always consult your vet regarding the onset of problematic respiratory symptoms, as it may be more serious than you think!

When riding, optimising respiratory can be helped by the equipment you decide to tack your horse up with. Unlike humans who can use both their mouth and nose to breathe with, horses are ‘obligate nasal breathers’ meaning they can only breathe through their nose. Therefore, it is important to choose tack and equipment that does not restrict the expansion of nostrils or reduce breathing ease.

Products like FLAIR Strips can also help optimise breathing function. By supporting soft tissues over the nasal passage and reducing tissue collapse, FLAIR Strips can make it easier for your horse to breathe by reducing airway resistance. It has been found that with the use of FLAIR Strips, horses use 5-6% less energy during intense exercise, there is a reduced onset of fatigue, and there is a reduced recovery period.

As stride and breath are closely linked in the gaits of canter and gallop, the use of tack which allows the freedom of movement and provide optimal comfort is also recommended to optimise respiratory function. A quick and easy way to optimise comfort under saddle can be as simple as changing your girth to a more anatomical design.

Making simple changes to your horse’s management and reducing exposure to allergens and pollutants can instantly see results in the quality of your horse’s breathing and the reduction of problematic symptoms. For example, using dust-free forage and ensuring hygienic storage of feed can all help reduce air-respirable particles. The addition of supplements into your horse’s diet may also help to alleviate respiratory symptoms.

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