Exercise Intolerance in Horses

Published on
Last updated on
3 min read

Key takeaways


Exercise intolerance is the decreased ability to tolerate strenuous exercise.

  • Recognized when horses are willing but unable to perform in routine training and conditioning
  • Exercise intolerance is one of the first signs of exhaustion
  • When persistent and unexplained, exercise intolerance may be a symptom of complicated underlying conditions like muscle disease, arthritis, respiratory illness, heart disease, or any combination of the above
  • Diagnosing the cause for exercise intolerance requires extensive testing
  • Veterinarian assistance is required for diagnosing the cause and developing a treatment plan
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A closer look: Exercise Intolerance in Horses


Horses showing consistent exercise intolerance, without improvement over time, have an underlying health condition. Muscle disease and respiratory disorders are common. Some conditions associated with exercise intolerance are easily treatable through a change in diet, supplements, and training. Certain breeds have genetic predisposition, making them more susceptible to muscle disease.

Arthritis is very common in horses, and once developed is a lifelong condition. The goal of treatment in these cases is to slow down the progress of the condition and increase quality of life. Exercise intolerance is associated with heart conditions, which are very rare and unpredictable, but can be fatal.

Possible causes


Exercise intolerance may point to a number of different types of illnesses.

Respiratory illnesses, such as
Paralysis of the larynx
Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD) in Horses
Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH)
Muscle disorders, such as
Myopathies
Exertional Rhabdomyolysis
Laminitis in Horses
Cardiac disorders, such as

Risk factors


If caused by extreme exhaustion, exercise intolerance requires immediate vet assistance or the exhaustion can be fatal. Extreme signs of exhaustion in horses include: inability to move, dehydration, shock, colic, and diarrhea. Seek ON SITE veterinary attention IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT MOVE the horse until cleared by a medical team.

Rapid onset of exercise intolerance, within one training session, is most likely exhaustion. Severity and frequency of exhaustion varies with the conditioning of the horse, diet, and environmental factors. Horse owners and trainers need to know the signs of extreme exhaustion as well as the behavior signals of the individual horses they are working with to prevent fatal complications.

Intolerance associated with arthritis varies in severity. Horses can continue competing or be forced to retire early. While treatable, advanced stages of arthritis can cause lameness where euthanasia is the only treatment.

Testing and diagnosis


Horses presenting with exercise intolerance will typically undergo the following diagnostics:

  • Respiratory Exam
  • Lameness exam
  • Cardiac exam
  • Muscle Biopsy
  • Blood work
  • Diet & supplements
  • New training regimen
  • Surgery

Similar symptoms


Exercise intolerance is similar to
Lethargy
Lameness in Horses
Weakness

Associated symptoms


Symptoms commonly seen with exercise intolerance include
Limited Mobility in Horses
Weakness
Poor Performance (Ring Sour) in Horses
Anxious behavior
Excessive sweating
Change in behavior
Rapid breathing
Exhaustion-specific associated symptoms include
Respiratory-specific associated symptoms include
Roaring noise
Flared nostrils
Rapid breathing
Coughing in Horses
Muscle-specific associated symptoms include
Firm, painful hindquarter muscles
Tying Up (Muscle Twitching and Cramping) in Horses
Stiff or spastic gait
Difficulty/abnormal cantering
Dark Urine
Cardiac-specific associated symptoms include
Bulging blood vessels
Swollen Legs and Stocking Up in Horses
Abdominal distension

References


Brushing Up on Tying Up in Horses
Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc - Writing for The Horse
The Equine Respiratory System
Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc - Writing for The Horse
Heart of the Matter: Equine Cardiac Health
Jennifer O. Bryant - Writing for The Horse
Equine Arthritis
Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc; - Writing for The Horse
Exhaustion in Horses
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment - Writing for The Horse
Exercise Intolerance
CHRISTINA “CRICKET” RUSSILLO, DVM - Writing for Practical Horseman

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