Summary The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of different environmental conditions on physiological response to exercise. Four winter acclimatised, nonheat acclimated horses of different breeds were exercised at 20°C/40%RH (CD), 30°C/40%RH (HD) and 30°C/80%RH (HH). The exercise test was designed to represent the structure and intensity of a One star Speed and Endurance test (competition exercise test [CET]). All 4 horses were able to complete the full CET (60 min + 30 min active recovery) in CD and HD, but only one horse completed the CET in HH. Two horses were stopped because of pronounced general fatigue and one because of a right atrial temperature (TRA) of 43°C. Oxygen uptake on each phase was not different between CD and HD, but was higher during Phases B, C and D in HH. Mean peak TRA at the end of Phase D was 40.3 ± 0.2, 41.6 ± 0.4 and 42 ± 0.3°C for CD, HD and HH, respectively. Corresponding, mean peak rectal temperatures (TREC) following Phase D were 39.5 ± 0.1, 40.6 ± 0.1 and 41.5 ± 0.1°C for CD, HD and HH, respectively. Mean time to peak TREC was 9.3 ± 1.1 (CD), 7.3 ± 1.8 (HD) and 10.8 ± 2.3 (HH) min and was not significantly different between conditions (P>0.05). Heat dissipation amounted to 83 ± 1, 73 ± 2 and 70 ± 1% of heat production in CD, HD and HH, respectively. Weight loss was significantly correlated with both body surface area (CD r = 0.85; HD r = 0.87; HH r = 0.81) and bodyweight (CD r = 0.97; HD r = 0.93; HH r = 0.94). The greatest weight loss recorded was 4.6% bodyweight in one horse in HD. The mean increase in exercise intensity over the whole CET (in terms of V̇O2) of HD and HH compared with CD was 5 ± 3 and 14 ± 3% higher, respectively. The exercise induced hyperthermia and the reduced capacity for heat dissipation produced partial compensatory responses in minute ventilation (V̇E), particularly during Phase C, when the horses were trotting. In HD, the increase in V̇E was achieved mainly through an increase in frequency, whilst in HH it was achieved through an increase in tidal volume (VT). The horses demonstrated a high degree of tolerance to environmental heat load, suggesting a high thermoregulatory capacity. However, for unacclimatised animals exercising in severely hot and humid conditions, performance may be limited.

The results provide an up-to-date overview about the frequencies of various neonatal foal diseases. They do not support the traditional prophylactic use of antimicrobials to prevent infectious diseases in healthy newborn foals. However, it should be noted that this study was not a randomised controlled trial and therefore does not provide the strongest possible evidence for this conclusion.

Summary The present study was undertaken to investigate physiological, metabolic, haematological and biochemical changes in horses competing in the Speed and Endurance test of a Concours Complet International (CCI) **** 3‐day‐event held under FEI rules. A total of 28 horses competing in the Burghley Horse Trials Speed and Endurance test were selected to be monitored: 11 horses in 1993 and 17 horses in 1994. Of the 28 horses selected, 17 completed the Speed and Endurance test and went on to complete the showjumping test. Mean ± s.d. shade temperature and relative humidity, black globe temperature and wind speed were 13 ± 1 and 20 ± 2°C, 54 ± 3 and 55 ± 10%, 17 ± 2 and 29 ± 4°C and 2.7 ± 0.7 and 1.2 ± 0.3 m/s, for 1993 and 1994, respectively. Mean heart rate during Phases A, B and D was not significantly different between years, but mean heart rate during Phases C and X was significantly higher in 1994. Mean (± s.d.) heart rate on Phases B and D for all horses in both 1993 and 1994 was 198 ± 8 and 188 ± 11 beats/min, respectively. Mean heart rate during Phase D showed a poor correlation with mean speed (r=0.412). Total mean (± s.d.) weight loss from the start of Phase A to the end of Phase D was 15.5 ± 6.1 kg in 1993 and 16.5 ± 5 kg in 1994 and did not differ significantly between years. Following 14–18 h completion of Phase D, mean bodyweight was not significantly different from that at the start of Phase A in either year. Mean rectal temperature at the end of Phase D was 41 ± 0.6°C and 41.1 ± 0.6°C in 1993 and 1994, respectively (P>0.05). Both the lowest (39.7°C) and highest (41.8°C) rectal temperatures were recorded at the end of Phase D in 1994. Plasma lactate concentrations at the end of Phase D were 8.5–38.5 mmol/1. The highest lactate concentration also coincided with the highest plasma glucose concentration (11.4 mmol/1) as well as the joint fastest time in either year, although overall lactate showed only weak correlations with mean speed on Phase D (r=0.12, 1993; r=0.58, 1994). While the Speed and Endurance test at CCI**** level run in a temperate climate presents a considerable challenge to the fitness and ability of the horses competing, the metabolic and physiological changes are not extreme. The majority of horses that finish the test appear to undergo a rapid and considerable degree of recovery and are able to present sound at the final inspection, take part in the showjumping test and complete the competition.

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Factors to be considered when evaluating newborn foals include: stud management, the birth process, route of colostrum intake, white and red blood cells, and the date of birth. These may help to detect foals at risk to develop an infection so that targeted prophylactic measures can be initiated.