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The incidence and severity of gastric ulceration does not increase in overtrained Standardbred horses
Article first published online: 8 NOV 2010
DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00268.x
© 2010 EVJ Ltd
Issue
Equine Veterinary Journal
Special Issue: Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology
Volume 42, Issue Supplement s38, pages 58–61, November 2010
Additional Information
How to Cite
De GRAAF-ROELFSEMA, E., KEIZER, H. A., WIJNBERG, I. D. and Van Der KOLK, J. H. (2010), The incidence and severity of gastric ulceration does not increase in overtrained Standardbred horses. Equine Veterinary Journal, 42: 58–61. doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00268.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 8 NOV 2010
- Article first published online: 8 NOV 2010
- [Paper received for publication 10.01.10; Accepted 21.06.10]
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- horse;
- stomach;
- ulcerations;
- overtraining;
- exercise
Summary
Reasons for performing study: Gastric ulceration can be caused by different pathophysiological mechanisms including dietary factors, psychological stress and exercise. Overtraining is a medical syndrome in performance horses associated with altered hormone levels, altered feed intake, altered behaviour and decreased performance. These components might lead to a higher incidence of gastric ulceration in overtrained horses.
Objectives: To investigate whether the incidence of gastric ulceration is increased in overtrained compared to control horses.
Methods: A longitudinal training study with twelve 1.5 years old Standardbred horses was performed on a treadmill for a total of 32 weeks. Training was divided into 4 periods: (1) acclimatisation (2) training (3) intensified training, and (4) detraining. In period 3, the horses were randomly divided into 2 groups: control (C) and intensified trained group (IT). At the end of each period, gastroscopy was performed in conscious horses after withholding feed for 12 h and water for 6 h using a 3.5 m video gastroendoscope. Lesion scores were assigned to areas of the stomach and graded 1–4. Logistic regression was used for statistical calculations.
Results: Evaluation of the stomach revealed only minor changes (grades 1 or 2) on each occasion. There were no significant differences in gastric lesion scores between groups or periods. Most lesions (70%) were found around the minor curvature. After detraining no lesions (0%) were found in contrast to periods 1 (40%, P = 0.056), 2 (30%) and 3 (30%).
Conclusions: Experimentally-induced overtraining does not increase the incidence of gastric ulceration in normally fed Standardbred horses and detraining appears to reduce gastric ulceration.