ENVIRONMENTAL-CONTROL TO MAINTAIN STABLED COPD HORSES IN CLINICAL REMISSION - EFFECTS ON PULMONARY-FUNCTION

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that stabled CO PD horses can be maintained in clinical remission by replacing hay by grass silage and bedding made of wood shavings (Period B) and of wheat straw (Period C) during 6 weeks, respectively. At the end of these di fferent periods, the pulmonary function of the horses was assessed by mechanics of breathing and arterial blood analyses. These results were compared to those measured in clinical remission obtained after 2 mon ths in pasture (Period A). No significant difference was observed betw een these 3 periods neither to values obtained for healthy horses plac ed during 6 weeks in a hay environment. For all that, COPD horses plac ed in contact with hay in the same barn developed within mean +/- s.d. 8 +/- 3 days clinical signs of heaves and significant alterations of pulmonary function parameters.