Changes in arterial blood pH, P O2 and P CO2, and blood lactate concentration in Arabian horses during exercise on a high-speed treadmill were investigated. Eleven horses were submitted to a conditioning period as well as to the incremental exercise test. The arterial and venous blood samples were obtained to evaluate the blood gas values and lactate concentration, prior to the beginning of the exercise, on the last 15 final seconds between every change of speed and at the 1, 3 and 5 minutes after the exercise. A decrease in pH, partial pressure of oxygen (P O2), and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (P CO2) and the blood lactate levels exponentially increase beyond the speed of 8m/s, during the incremental exercise test.
equine; exercise physiology; treadmill; blood gases; lactate
