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The pH of
an animal's blood is critical!
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If you are looking for the reason why there is a
sudden, and apparently inexplicable, drop in a horse's racetrack performance
... then continue to read!!!
The one single factor which causes a horse
to 'train off' faster than any other is a disturbance in its blood pH balance.
Almost impossible to detect, especially in its early stages, this pH
disturbance can be attributed to an excessive build-up of acids in the horse's
system, a depletion of its natural alkaline reserves, injudicious training
techniques; and other closely |
associated factors such
as high grain diets, the prevailing climate and workload.
A drop in the
pH indicates an increase in the acidity of the blood. In lay terms, this is
referred to as 'acidosis', but more correctly it is the LOWERING OF THE
ALKALINE RESERVES.
The blood of the equine athlete has a very delicate
acid/alkaline balance. Optimum performance demands that this balance be
maintained within very narrow, even critical, limits.
Definitions:
THE pH OF A SOLUTION is a symbol for the power of the hydrogen ions
multiplied by 10. AN ACID is a solution which provides hydrogen ions (H +) and
can thus increase the H + of a solution, consequently lowering the pH - i.e.
increase the activity.
A BASE is a substance which accepts hydrogen
ions and can thus decrease the H + of a solution, consequently raising the pH -
i.e. decreasing the acidity or raising the alkalinity.
THE pH OF THE
BLOOD has to be maintained within extremely narrow ranges for optimum
physiological functions. Wide variations, which are encountered in certain
diseased states, are life-threatening.
ACIDOSIS is a loose term which
is applied to a LOWERED ALKALINE RESERVE in the body. From the point of view of
a horse in training, as opposed to the many pathological conditions that can
result in acidosis, a
LOWERED ALKALINE RESERVE is the direct result of
strenuous muscular exercise.
LACTIC ACID is an organic acid normally
present in muscle tissue, produced by anaerobic (in the presence of inadequate
oxygen) muscle metabolism; it consists of 2 parts positive hydrogen ion and a
negative lactate ion. It is formed when the glycogen stored in the muscles is
broken down and used for energy.
Study of 1,379 horses
Analysis
of 1,379 racehorse bloods confirms need for an alkaline reserve replacer. A
unique and exhaustive study on the precise effects of work and climate on the
body chemistry of a racehorse in training was conducted by RANVET in 1986 at
Sydney's Randwick Racecourse.
A total of 1,379 horses were involved in
the study, one of the most comprehensive ever undertaken in Australia. A normal
pH level was determined; the dramatic drop in base excess levels which were
observed established the need for an alkaline reserve replacer, and recovery
rates were monitored.
This study was undertaken by one of Australia's
most eminent racehorse veterinarians who continued working on the project up
until the beginning of 1992.
A summary of his findings is set out in
the tables below.
Blood Gas Analyses of Horses in Training.
AVERAGES FOR PRE & POST WORK: Summer and Winter
Table ONE:
Fast Work - SUMMER
Time Blood
Samples Collected were for the
following:
1) pH
2) HCO3
3) Base Excess
4) H2 /HCO*3 Ratio
Saddled before work
7.406 pH
29.91 HCO3
6.09 Base Excess
1/18.81 H2/HCO3 Ratio
10 minutes after work
7.230 pH
14.23
HCO3
10.75 Base Excess
1/12.71 H2/HCO3 Ratio
2 1/2 hours after
work
7.395 pH
28.49 HCO3
4.06 Base Excess
1/16.96 H2/HCO3 Ratio
5 hours after work
7.395 pH
27.00 HCO3
4.45 Base Excess
1/17.25 H2/HCO3 Ratio
7 hours after work
7.350 pH
26.02
HCO3
3.58 Base Excess
1/15.16 H2/HCO3 Ratio
H2C03 = CARBONIC
ACID HCO 3 = BICARBONATE
*The normal ratio = approximately 1/20
NB:
Summer heat and humidity tends to reduce this ratio i.e. a tendency towards
acidosis.
Table TWO: Fast Work - WINTER
Time Blood
Samples
were collected for:
pH
HCO3
Base Excess
H2 /HCO*3
Ratio
Saddled before work
7.446 pH
32.55 HCO3
8.23 Base Excess
1/21.27 H2/HCO3 Ratio
10 minutes after work
7.237 pH
13.85
HCO3
11.24 Base Excess
1/14.58 H2/HCO3 Ratio
2 hours after work
7.430 pH
29.93 HCO3
5.90 Base Excess
1/20.50 H2/HCO3 Ratio
3 1/2-4 hours after work
7.431 pH
29.24 HCO3
5.97 Base
Excess
1/20.45 H2/HCO3 Ratio
5 hours after work
7.438 pH
29.57 HCO3
6.80 Base Excess
1/19.77 H2/HCO3
Ratio 6 hours
after work
7.437 pH
30.48 HCO3
1/20.32 Base Excess
NB:
Recovery times quicker in winter.
What is a normal pH for a Horse?
The normal pH of a horse's blood is between 7.42 and 7.45, so you can
see just how narrow the range is... 'point 03 ' of a decimal point in fact! Any
reading below 7.40 is an indication of 'acidosis' (see Table ONE), while a
reading of 7.20 would indicate severe 'acidosis' (a severely depleted alkaline
reserve).
An explanation of what goes on.
Regardless of whether
it is summer or winter, the end result of (a) converting grain to energy and
(b) hard work and stress, is an abnormally high production of BODY ACIDS in the
horse's system. Highly strung horses produce even greater amounts of body
acids, as they expend more energy than the placid animal.
Lactic acid
accumulates in the muscle when the supply of oxygen is insufficient for the
oxidative processes and quickly diffuses out into the blood stream. In moderate
exercise the rate of rise of lactic acid is greatest at the very start of
exercise before the circulatory and respiratory systems have reached optimum
output. This diminishes as a steady state develops.
The unfit horse and
the horse coming into work fresh, or for the first time, produces greater
quantities of lactic acid for a given workload. As the horse becomes fitter,
his ability to buffer and cope with the acid produced improves quite
considerably. Fillies also seem to be more prone to this condition than colts
or geldings. The reasons for this are presumably hormonal, but as yet are not
clearly understood.
In strenuous exercise, due to the relative
deficiency of oxygen, the excessive accumulation of lactate ions represents a
considerable acidosis with a marked lowering of bicarbonate concentration.
The body cannot stand acidosis for long and it has a very effective
built-in system to counter it. Following exercise some lactic acid and acidic
glucose builds up in the bloodstream creating even more acidity and the
increased need for alkaline buffers.
The other compensating mechanisms
are (1) increased respiration which lowers the carbon dioxide tension (pCO) and
(2) increased excretion of hydrogen ions via the kidneys.
In exercise,
a much greater quantity of lactic acid escapes in the urine. Such a process
helps to minimize the production of acidosis, but it also represents a loss of
base as well as energy producing substances.
Quite simply, buffers and
buffer systems 'mop up' the excess acid, neutralizing it, but this is done at a
cost and particularly where very considerable amounts of lactic acid are
produced, the buffer system can be overtaxed, i.e. the cost is too high. A
major part of the buffer system is sodium bicarbonate, which combines with acid
and carries it away. It can be seen that bicarbonate therefore is used up as
that acid is neutralized and removed; that is the price, a loss of bicarbonate.
It should be pointed out that adding the right kind of supplementary
alkaline elemental buffers and blood builders can be good for the horse and for
any animal for that matter. This is why I created a new line of supplements for
animals called pHorse Power(TM) that will be released in January of 2007.
The pHorse Power(TM) formulas by pH Miracle will have several formulas
directed at maintaining the alkaline design of an animals blood and tissues.
The first formula is an alkaline buffering supplement containing the four
bicarbonate salts of sodium, magnesium, potassium and calcium to help
neutralize the lactic acid build up in the blood and tissues from normal to
extreme metabolic processes. The second formula is an energy formula to help
reduce the build up of lactic acid with the primary ingredient of Co-factor
Q-10. The third formula is a clay product to help neutralize the acids of
digestion and metabolism. The fourth formula is a blood cleanser and builder
with alkalizing green fruits, vegetables and grasses. The fifth formula is
designed to mediate lactic acid build-up with one of the most powerful
antioxidants - Glutathione.
The pHorse Power(TM) formulas will help to
strengthen the horses alkaline buffering system and to allow them to better
cope with the surges of lactic acid after races and workouts. This
strengthening of the buffering system can easily be done by adding the pHorse
Power(TM) formulations to the water or feed on a daily basis.
The
pHorse Power(TM) formulations by pH Miracle are a bicarbonate-based, super
antioxidant, green vegetables, fruits, grasses and healthy fats buffering
system which is highly effective in countering states of acidosis in all
animals.
The prices for the pHorse Power(TM) formulations are as
follows:
1) Formula 1 - Bicarbonate of sodium, magnesium, potassium and
calcium 226 grams - $39.95 Recomended dosage: 1 scoop or 3 grams in 1
quart/liter of water or feed.
Order
Here >>
2) Formula 2 - Montmorillonite clay 453 grams - $49.95
Recommeded dosage: 1 scoop or 3 grams in 1 quart/liter of water or feed.
Order
Here >>
3) Formula 3 - Co-Factor Q-10 - 4 oz. bottle - $39.95
Recommende dosage: 1 tsp 3 times a day.
Order
Here >>
4) Formula 4 - Blended fruits, vegetables and grasses
453 grams - $89.00 Recommend dosage: 1 scoop or 3 grams in 1 quart/liter or
water or feed.
Order
Here >>
5) Formula 5 - Glutathione 4 oz. bottle - $75.00
Recommended dosage 1 tsp 3 times a day.
Order
Here >>
6) Formula 6 - Magnesium Oxide Powder 226 grams -
$39.95 Recommended dosage: 1 scoop or 3 grams in 6 to 8 ounces of water or mix
in feed/food.
Order
Here >>
The pHorse Power(TM) formulations by pH Miracle can
also be used for all animals including cats and dogs to bolster their alkaline
buffering system.
In summary:
The horses bicarbonate supply is
used up and the body's natural buffering system are stretched to their utmost
in the racehorse in work. Acidosis may be more correctly called depleted base
(alkaline) reserve. The bicarbonate and other buffer systems have a reduced
ability to neutralize the acids - remember that bases (alkaline) are required
to balance acids.
Remember that acidosis may not be the classical
'tying-up' so familiar to most trainers; rather it may show up as a poor
finish, the horse going sour, or the loss of the will to win is an indication
of latent tissue acidosis.
Daily supplementation with pHorse Power(TM)
formulas by pH Miracle will bolster your horses, dogs or cats body's buffering
system, allowing them to cope more successfully with 'acidosis' by adding to
the alkaline reserve.
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