Regional blood flow changes in response to near maximal exercise in ponies: a review

In recent years, increasing attention has been focused on the physiological responses of the horse to maximal exercise. Cardiovascular response in near maximally exercised galloping ponies (heart rate 225 +/- 7 beats/min; whole body oxygen consumption 122 +/- 12 ml/min/kg) comprised a marked increase in blood flow to the cerebellum, myocardium, diaphragm and the working muscles, while renal blood flow decreased precipitously. Cerebral and brainstem perfusion did not vary from resting values. Transmural homogeneity of myocardial blood flow persisted during near maximal exercise. It was reported that tachycardia of exercise contributed about one-third of the total increment in left ventricular coronary blood flow. Considerable unutilised coronary vasodilator capacity was also demonstrated in near maximally exercised ponies and it was suggested that maximally exercising ponies were not limited from further exertion because of the coronary circulation.