Vets opinion on the spleen

There have been some trainers that say the better long distance horses have large spleens. They claim that the spleen releases a large amount of extra RBC's when horses are put to longer running tests.

Having been a runner for sometime, I never encountered any information of this type for humans. The spleen does hold large amounts of excess RBC's but they are usually released during trauma involving blood loss, not during running. I had never heard about making sure you train long enough so that your spleen releases blood.

So whats the deal with the horses spleen?

[randallscott35]

You think there are spleen experts on here?

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

You think there are spleen experts on here?

Relatively speaking?

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by pgardn

There have been some trainers that say the better long distance horses have large spleens. They claim that the spleen releases a large amount of extra RBC's when horses are put to longer running tests.

Having been a runner for sometime, I never encountered any information of this type for humans. The spleen does hold large amounts of excess RBC's but they are usually released during trauma involving blood loss, not during running. I had never heard about making sure you train long enough so that your spleen releases blood.

So whats the deal with the horses spleen?

I've never heard of this, but with you being the scientific type you might like reading about the 'x factor' if you haven't already.

http://www.horseinfo.com/cart/underx.html

http://www.circledhorses.com/The%20X-Factor.htm

http://www.angelfire.com/jazz/nutbush/

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

http://www.angelfire.com/jazz/nutbush/

Nutbush?

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

Nutbush?

leave it to you....

[31lengths]

Originally Posted by pgardn

There have been some trainers that say the better long distance horses have large spleens. They claim that the spleen releases a large amount of extra RBC's when horses are put to longer running tests.

Having been a runner for sometime, I never encountered any information of this type for humans. The spleen does hold large amounts of excess RBC's but they are usually released during trauma involving blood loss, not during running. I had never heard about making sure you train long enough so that your spleen releases blood.

So whats the deal with the horses spleen?

Sunday's St.Petersburg Times had an article saying just that. T'was pretty enlightening.

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/04/29/Sp..._It_s_th.shtml

[Riot]

Originally Posted by pgardn

There have been some trainers that say the better long distance horses have large spleens. They claim that the spleen releases a large amount of extra RBC's when horses are put to longer running tests.

Having been a runner for sometime, I never encountered any information of this type for humans. The spleen does hold large amounts of excess RBC's but they are usually released during trauma involving blood loss, not during running. I had never heard about making sure you train long enough so that your spleen releases blood.

So whats the deal with the horses spleen?

The spleen stores red blood cells. Release is dependent upon catecholamine release and sympathetic nervous system stimulation (fright, flight, exercise, suffocation/asphyxia, excitement, bleeding/hemorrhage, etc).

Horses are better at it than humans (being prey animals), able to increase the number of red blood cells in circulation quite quickly and markedly. This aids oxygenation (along with other physiologic changes happening concurrently).

Appropriate exercise and training regimines cause metabolic adaptations that make such processes more efficient. The metabolic adaptations required by and ideal for sprinting vs long distance exercise vary.

I sent you something in more detail privately.

Originally Posted by Riot

The spleen stores red blood cells. Release is dependent upon catecholamine release and sympathetic nervous system stimulation (fright, flight, exercise, suffocation/asphyxia, excitement, bleeding/hemorrhage, etc).

Horses are better at it than humans (being prey animals), able to increase the number of red blood cells in circulation quite quickly and markedly. This aids oxygenation (along with other physiologic changes happening concurrently).

Appropriate exercise and training regimines cause metabolic adaptations that make such processes more efficient. The metabolic adaptations required by and ideal for sprinting vs long distance exercise vary.

I sent you something in more detail privately.

Aha... I should have thought about the prey thing, makes much more sense. Thanks. I will read your message once I get it.

[whorstman]

Horses are prey animals? What are they hunting? Grass, hay, carrots? Peppermints?

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by whorstman

Horses are prey animals? What are they hunting? Grass, hay, carrots? Peppermints?

predators hunt...prey gets eaten

[whorstman]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

predators hunt...prey gets eaten

K, , Who's hunting them? Havn't seen that on ESPN on weekend mornings. Is there a thouroughbred call?

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by whorstman

Horses are prey animals? What are they hunting? Grass, hay, carrots? Peppermints?

Oh wow... lmao