An algorithm to describe the oxygen equilibrium curve for the thoroughbred racehorse

An algorithm to describe the oxygen equilibrium curve (OEC) of the Thoroughbred horse was derived from raw oxygen equilibrium curve data obtained under standard conditions of temperature, pH and PCO2 (Smale and Butler, 1994). This algorithm was derived by a curve-fitting procedure based on the algorithm for human blood produced by Kelman (1966). The temperature, fixed acid and net CO2 coefficients were then incorporated in the algorithm to enable the accurate calculation of % saturation from any combination of PO2, temperature, pH and PCO2. The algorithm was checked using blood gas data obtained from in vivo treadmill exercise tests as well as a standardised breathing test whereby horses inhaled several different gas mixtures. This algorithm proved more accurate for the Thoroughbred horse than that derived by Kelman.