Effect of ration and exercise on plasma creatine kinase activity and lactate concentration in Thoroughbred horses with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis

Objective-To determine the effects of 3 rations (low grain, fat, high grain ) on plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity and lactate concentration in Thor oughbred horses with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER). Animals-5 Thoroughbreds with RER and 3 healthy Thoroughbreds (control horse s). Procedures-Rations were formulated to meet (low-grain and fat rational or e xceed thigh-grain ration) daily energy requirements. Each ration was fed to horses in a crossover design for 3 weeks. Horses were exercised on a tread mill Monday through Friday; maximum speed on Monday and Friday was 11 m/s ( 6% slope), on Tuesday and Thursday was 9 m/s, and on Wednesday was 4.5 m/s. Plasma CK activity and lactate concentration were determined before and af ter exercise. Results-Horses with RER fed the high-grain ration had significantly greater CK activity and change in CK activity 4 hours after exercise, compared wit h those fed the low-grain ration. Horses with RER exercised at the trot or canter had significantly greater increases in CK activity, compared with th ose exercised at the gallop. Plasma lactate concentrations after exercise w ere similar in control and affected horses. Lactate concentration and CK ac tivity were not correlated in horses with RER. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Rations high in grain and formulated to exceed daily energy requirements may increase episodes of rhabdomyolysis in Thoroughbred horses susceptible to RER.