Exercise-Induced Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon Hyperthermia and the Effect of Cooling Sheets on Thoroughbreds

Abstract

Flexor tendonitis in racehorses which is caused by racing or training diminishes their running ability. In the present study, the involvement of hyperthermia in the development of flexor tendonitis is investigated. When fibroblasts isolated from the superficial digital flexor tendon of a horse are cultured, their survival rate decreases after 1 hour of exposure to a temperature of 43°C. When a racehorse runs on a dirt track, the center of the tendon runs a fever of 43°C or more. This finding suggests that the fever occurring during running can be a cause of flexor tendonitis. The study also indicates that cooling the distal ends of the fores after racing is effective in preventing flexor tendonitis.