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Relationship of post-race tracheal mucus scores to performance and the environment in 2-year-old Thoroughbreds

In: Comparative Exercise Physiology
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K. Hemmerling Washington State University, Dept VCS, P.O. Box 646610, Pullman, WA 99164-6610, USA

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M. Sanz Washington State University, Dept VCS, P.O. Box 646610, Pullman, WA 99164-6610, USA

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https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6565-9947
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Y. Wang Washington State University, CISER, P.O. Box 643113, Pullman, WA 99164-6610, USA

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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2248-8735
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A. Fisher Washington State University, CISER, P.O. Box 643113, Pullman, WA 99164-6610, USA

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D. Sellon Washington State University, Dept VCS, P.O. Box 646610, Pullman, WA 99164-6610, USA

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https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8342-5108
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J. Gold Washington State University, Dept VCS, P.O. Box 646610, Pullman, WA 99164-6610, USA

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https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1116-2032
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S. Shoemaker Washington State University, Dept VCS, P.O. Box 646610, Pullman, WA 99164-6610, USA

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J. Bagshaw Washington State University, Dept VCS, P.O. Box 646610, Pullman, WA 99164-6610, USA

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R. Leguillette University of Calgary, FVM, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada

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W. Bayly Washington State University, Dept VCS, P.O. Box 646610, Pullman, WA 99164-6610, USA

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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1403-6245
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Abstract

Post-race tracheal mucus is a common finding in 2-year-old Thoroughbreds without signs of respiratory disease, and its clinical relevance is unclear. We evaluated the relationship between mucus score (0-5) and racing performance, racetrack location, surface and condition and some environmental factors in this age-group of horses. 1,071 post-race videoendoscopies were independently assigned mucus scores by three observers blinded to horse identity, and the consensus score was recorded. Pearson’s Chi-squared independence test and ANOVA or the Kruskal-Wallis test analysed relationships of mucus scores to performance and racetrack environmental variables, respectively. Significance was set at P 0.05. Tracheal mucus was observed post-racing in 98% of videoendoscopies; 54% had mucus scores ≥3. Race distances ( P = 0.73), horses’ race times ( P = 0.41), and horses’ speed index ( P = 0.95) were not associated with mucus score. Lower mucus score was not associated with a better finishing place ( P = 0.26). The association between racetrack surface material and mucus score was not significant ( P = 0.057). Racetrack location ( P = 0.01) was associated with mucus score, but no single racetrack factor could be causally linked to this locational association. Neither stall construction material ( P = 0.63) nor bedding type ( P = 0.07) had a significant association with mucus score. Orientation of the horse’s stall within a barn (facing inwards vs facing outwards, n = 151) was not significantly associated with mucus score ( P = 0.068). There was no combined effect of stall orientation and bedding type on mucus score (orientation and shavings: P = 0.17; orientation and straw: P = 0.57). Air quality index (AQI) was related to mucus score ( P = 0.017) with the likelihood of mucus score ≥2 increasing as AQI worsened ( P = 0.037). While these results do not demonstrate an association between mucus score and performance or a cause-and-effect relationship between mucus scores and the racetrack environment, they do justify further investigations of factors influencing mucus scores in 2-year-old racing Thoroughbreds.

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