Physiology of equine performance and associated tests of function.
Authors: Evans D L
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary When performance falls short of expectations, clinicians need systematic methods to identify the underlying physiological constraints—whether respiratory, cardiovascular, neuromuscular or metabolic in origin. Evans' 2007 review synthesises the physiological basis of equine athletic performance alongside practical functional tests applicable in clinical and field settings, including treadmill-based assessment. The work emphasises that performance limitation rarely stems from a single system; instead, individual factors such as case history, training status and presence of subclinical disease must inform the interpretation of test results across pulmonary ventilation, cardiovascular function, neuromuscular capacity and both anaerobic and aerobic energy metabolism. Spirometry and ergospirometry emerge as particularly valuable tools for assessing ventilatory efficiency and warrant further development for routine clinical application. For practitioners investigating poor performance, this framework provides a structured approach to differential diagnosis and highlights the value of field-applicable testing protocols in moving beyond speculation towards evidence-based explanations of athletic underperformance.
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Practical Takeaways
- •When investigating poor performance complaints, systematically assess multiple body systems (lungs, heart, muscles, energy metabolism) rather than relying on single tests.
- •Spirometry and field-applicable exercise testing techniques provide valuable objective data to differentiate real pathology from training or management issues.
- •Consider the individual horse's status, history, and possibility of subclinical disease when interpreting functional test results in performance evaluation.
Key Findings
- •Pulmonary ventilation assessment through spirometry and ergospirometry techniques shows particular potential for identifying performance limitations in horses.
- •Multiple physiological systems including pulmonary, cardiovascular, and neuromuscular pathways can represent limiting factors to equine performance.
- •Functional testing protocols can assist clinicians in distinguishing between actual disease and perceived underperformance in individual horses.
- •Evaluation of anaerobic and aerobic energy pathways is essential for comprehensive assessment of performance-limiting factors.