Horses undergoing intense exercise are very often susceptible to exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhages (EIPH, often known as Bleeds) and many experience this when racing. EIPH and the associated side effects cause poor racing performance and damage to the lungs. As the damage accumulates, the incidence and severity of bleeding increases. This is often treated with a diuretic drug called furosemide (marketed as Lasix). However, its use is controversial, and many question whether it has a place in racing.
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Interestingly, there is powerful anecdotal evidence from South Africa where it has been found that horses stabled in Johannesburg at 1,800m have a lower incidence of bleeding than horses residing in Durban – at sea level. So, as well as its primary benefit in delivering improved performance, Simulated Altitude Training may also have a role in combating EIPH.
A further training advantage is that exercise on a treadmill provides a controlled surface on which to run in a controlled environment. Where training gallops can become too dry and therefore too hard, there is a bone fracture risk to horses – highlighted by the fact that 90% of injuries occur during training. A good treadmill surface will remove most of this risk. Get in touch with us now.
With Altitude Training, the improvements in even as little as three weeks are often comparable to a whole season’s work without altitude.