Our medical editor, who accompanied the U.S. horses to the 2007 Olympic test event and will be the Canadian team veterinarian in Hong Kong this summer, attended this pre-Olympic workshop and shares some of the findings of more than three years of research by world experts.

On Feb. 17, the “On To Hong Kong Pre-Olympic Workshop On Heat And Humidity” was held in Lausanne, Switzerland, through a combined effort of the FEI Welfare Subcommittee and sponsors The International League for the Protection of Horses and Peden Bloodstock.
   
More than 120 team veterinarians, team managers, chefs d’equipe, and members of the media attended the workshop.

The mission was to ensure that the national federations are fully informed and able to prepare their horses optimally for the challenging climatic conditions in Hong Kong.

One of the most experienced veterinary teams assembled presented extensive data and research and explained collaborative efforts that have been ongoing for years to ensure that our equine athletes will be safe at the 2008 Games.

The research included results from the veterinary horse monitoring at the 2007 test event (Dr. Catherine Kohn); a two-year study of the weather situation (Professor Leo Jeffcot); an overview of the exceptional veterinary and stabling facilities (Dr. Chris Riggs); research on air-conditioned facilities, air quality monitoring and cooling stations (David Marlin); horse transportation logistics (Martin Atock), and equine quarantine and biosecurity management (Dr. Keith Watkins). HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, president of the FEI, was also in attendance.
   
Much of this work built on developments in equine health and welfare from Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, and Athens 2004.

Hot and humid conditions will obviously prevail in Hong Kong in August, but exceptional preparation, first-class facilities and an experienced and world-renowned team of experts will be in place for the Olympic Games.

Already well established in handling world-class race horses, the Hong Kong Jockey Club stabling and veterinary facilities are among the world’s best. The facilities were exceptional for the running of the Good Luck Hong Kong test event in August 2007 and have been improved further since then. The dedication of the team to minimize the effects of transport stress and heat and humidity on these horses and to ensure the welfare of these horses is unquestioned.

Keeping Cool

Hong Kong officials have made multiple provisions to provide top-level veterinary care and adequate cooling and comfort for the equine athletes. A dedicated, purpose-built veterinary clinic adjacent to the stabling is staffed full time by an experienced team of veterinary surgeons. There is an exceptional, air-conditioned stabling complex and the first air-conditioned Olympic indoor training arena.

The ideal temperature for these facilities has been studied and selected to allow the horses to recover and rest carefully without having to expend excess energy and also not creating undue shock when compared to the outside temperature. Additionally, careful monitoring of the air quality in the stables and the indoor arena has ensured excellent conditions. Multiple “cooling stations” located around the venue and the training facilities include misting tents, troughs of chilled water, ice, and chilled water sprays. Also, mobile cooling units can be employed to reach any horse in need. Similar facilities are provided at the Bea’s River cross-country venue for the three-day event horses.

Because Hong Kong lies within the subtropics, tropical cyclones or typhoons can be a part of the weather pattern in addition to the heat and humidity. Temperatures of around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) and humidity of 85-95 percent can be expected. Luckily, there has been a two-year weather study ongoing with Professor Leo Jeffcot and the Hong Kong Observatory.
   
Hong Kong has an incredibly well-established system for issuing warnings and making provisions and predictions for when these cyclones might hit. This state-of-the-art technology will be used to keep everyone informed as well as to modify the schedule when necessary.  Training and competition times have been arranged to take advantage of the cooler times of day.

Dr. Jeffcot’s presentation, “Understanding The Weather Situation: The Results Of A Two-Year Study With The Hong Kong Observatory” outlined the steps taken to estimate the expected heat load on the horses in August and the measures taken to ensure their safety and then established a reliable system of monitoring and predicting inclement weather that might affect the competitions.

The FEI Welfare Subcommittee fostered the development of an international research effort conducted as the Good Luck Beijing—Hong Kong SAR 10th Anniversary Cup CCI**, also known as the test event.

“The main aims of this study were to document the effects of the Hong Kong environment on foreign horses training for and competing in the Good Luck Beijing CCI**, to identify methods of evaluating horses that would allow identification of adverse effects of exercising in hot weather, and to formulate recommendations for monitoring and managing horses during the 2008 Olympic Games. Seventeen horses from eight Federations were monitored for the duration of their stay in Hong Kong,” said Dr. Catherine Kohn in the report.

Some of the scientific factors that were monitored included 24-hour water consumption, type and number of exercise sessions, sweating responses, body weight, hematological and biochemical variables, urine specific gravity, urine electrolyte concentrations, and urinary clearances of electrolytes.  Additionally, on cross-country day rectal temperatures, heart rates, respiratory rates were monitored, as they are at other competitions.

In summary, Kohn reported, “Fifteen horses were well able to meet the challenge of competition in Hong Kong in August of 2007. Undoubtedly, the excellent air-conditioned stable facilities that allowed the horses to comfortably recover from exercise were of paramount importance in the success of the 2007 Hong Kong CCI**.  Employing a strategy of minimal active acclimatization combined with passive acclimatization was successful in allowing horses to adjust to the ambient conditions without substantial loss of condition.

“Our studies demonstrated that careful attention to changes in bodyweight, urine specific gravity, and urine sodium levels in conjunction with daily physical assessment of the horses and intermittent monitoring of hematological and biochemical parameters (complete blood count and chemistry) allowed identification of need for supplementation with fluids and/or electrolytes. Our studies suggest that we must be vigilant in identifying dehydration and electrolyte imbalances in horses following travel to Hong Kong. Given our ability to monitor equine athletes, and the excellent facilities available in Hong Kong, the 2008 Olympic Equestrian competitions have every opportunity to be successful and safe for our equine partners.”

The two horses who did not complete the competition both withdrew before cross-country, having suffered from lameness and illness unrelated to the event.

Handling The Challenges

David Marlin’s presentation, also funded by the FEI, addressed the air-conditioned facilities, cooling stations and air quality. He stated that “horses do not need to live in the environmental conditions to which they are being acclimatized and this may actually be counter productive as horses may not rest adequately or maintain appropriate feed and water intake. Whilst acclimatization is beneficial, it cannot fully compensate for the climate.

Other measures to reduce the risk of heat-related illness and to ensure good performance are required. Therefore facilities for cooling horses will be provided.”
   
The air-conditioned stables will minimize the exposure to the heat and humidity during resting conditions. Due to the horses’ thermoneutral zone, the temperature of the stables will be between 22-23 degrees Celsius (71-73 degrees Fahrenheit).

During the test event, measurements of the thermal environmental conditions (air temperature, air humidity, radiation, and air movement) and air quality (levels of dust and volatile organic compounds) were undertaken in the stables, the outdoor arenas and the indoor arenas.  The air quality in the stables was exceptional, and the air quality in both the arenas was extremely good.
   
As John McEwen, chairman of the FEI Veterinary Committee, stated, “Every Olympic venue presents its own challenge for every sport. In Los Angeles we had concerns about smog and air quality. Seoul had climate and venue challenges. Barcelona had a storm that blew fences down. Atlanta had heat and humidity problems. Sydney had long-distance travel and quarantine issues, and Athens had air pollution and heat issues. Each venue has presented different challenges, which we have analyzed and dealt with successfully.”

A similar and incredibly extensive approach has been taken toward the challenges in Hong Kong, with absolutely every consideration for exceptional preparation and facilities to help ensure the welfare of the horse.