title: The prevalence of abnormal breathing patterns during exercise and associations with dynamic upper respiratory tract obstructions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is very limited published information on the prevalence and significance of abnormal breathing patterns adopted during canter/gallop.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of abnormal breathing patterns during canter/gallop and to investigate whether these may be associated with dynamic upper respiratory tract (URT) obstructions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of clinical records.
  
  
  METHODS
  Simultaneous audio and URT videoendoscopy recordings from 365 horses referred for treadmill evaluation were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty percent of horses had an abnormal breathing pattern at canter or gallop, of which 23% had a 2:1 breathing pattern (i.e. one breath is taken over two strides). The prevalence of abnormal breathing patterns was higher at low canter speeds than during strenuous exercise. There was a significant association between breathing pattern during strenuous exercise and the presence of an URT obstruction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that abnormal breathing patterns during canter and gallop may be associated with dynamic URT obstructions; therefore, horses identified by owners or veterinary surgeons to have an abnormal breathing pattern during exercise, in particular a 2:1 breathing pattern, may warrant investigations for diagnosis of respiratory tract disease.
authors: Langford House Equine Hospital, University of Bristol, UK.
authors: L E
authors: LE
authors: Fitzharris
authors: School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors: S H
authors: SH
authors: Franklin
authors: Langford House Equine Hospital, University of Bristol, UK.
authors: K J
authors: KJ
authors: Allen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D006736:Horses; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012119:Respiration; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000473:pathology*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014741:Video Recording
keywords: breathing pattern; exercise; horse; upper airway