The pH of an animal's blood is critical!


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 otheris a disturbance in its blood pH balance. Almost impossible to detect, especiallyin its early stages, this pH disturbance can be attributed to an excessive build-upof acids in the horse's system, a depletion of its natural alkaline reserves,injudicious training techniques; and other closely associated factors such ashigh 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 THEALKALINE RESERVES.

The blood of the equine athlete has a very delicate acid/alkaline balance. Optimumperformance demands that this balance be maintained within very narrow, evencritical, limits.

Definitions:

THE pH OF A SOLUTION is a symbol for the power of the hydrogen ions multipliedby 10. AN ACID is a solution which provides hydrogen ions (H +) and can thusincrease the H + of a solution, consequently lowering the pH - i.e. increasethe 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 orraising the alkalinity.

THE pH OF THE BLOOD has to be maintained within extremely narrow ranges for optimumphysiological functions. Wide variations, which are encountered in certain diseasedstates, are life-threatening.

ACIDOSIS is a loose term which is applied to a LOWERED ALKALINE RESERVE in thebody. From the point of view of a horse in training, as opposed to the many pathologicalconditions 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 byanaerobic (in the presence of inadequate oxygen) muscle metabolism; it consistsof 2 parts positive hydrogen ion and a negative lactate ion. It is formed whenthe 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 thebody chemistry of a racehorse in training was conducted by RANVET in 1986 atSydney's Randwick Racecourse.

A total of 1,379 horses were involved in the study, one of the most comprehensiveever undertaken in Australia. A normal pH level was determined; the dramaticdrop in base excess levels which were observed established the need for an alkalinereserve replacer, and recovery rates were monitored.

This study was undertaken by one of Australia's most eminent racehorse veterinarianswho 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 towardsacidosis.

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 justhow narrow the range is... 'point 03 ' of a decimal point in fact! Any readingbelow 7.40 is an indication of 'acidosis' (see Table ONE), while a reading of7.20 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) convertinggrain to energy and (b) hard work and stress, is an abnormally high productionof BODY ACIDS in the horse's system. Highly strung horses produce even greateramounts of body acids, as they expend more energy than the placid animal.

Lactic acid accumulates in the muscle when the supply of oxygen is insufficientfor the oxidative processes and quickly diffuses out into the blood stream. Inmoderate exercise the rate of rise of lactic acid is greatest at the very startof exercise before the circulatory and respiratory systems have reached optimumoutput. 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 horsebecomes fitter, his ability to buffer and cope with the acid produced improvesquite considerably. Fillies also seem to be more prone to this condition thancolts or geldings. The reasons for this are presumably hormonal, but as yet arenot clearly understood.

In strenuous exercise, due to the relative deficiency of oxygen, the excessiveaccumulation of lactate ions represents a considerable acidosis with a markedlowering of bicarbonate concentration.

The body cannot stand acidosis for long and it has a very effective built-insystem to counter it. Following exercise some lactic acid and acidic glucosebuilds up in the bloodstream creating even more acidity and the increased needfor alkaline buffers.

The other compensating mechanisms are (1) increased respiration which lowersthe carbon dioxide tension (pCO) and (2) increased excretion of hydrogen ionsvia the kidneys.

In exercise, a much greater quantity of lactic acid escapes in the urine. Sucha process helps to minimize the production of acidosis, but it also representsa loss of base as well as energy producing substances.

Quite simply, buffers and buffer systems 'mop up' the excess acid, neutralizingit, but this is done at a cost and particularly where very considerable amountsof lactic acid are produced, the buffer system can be overtaxed, i.e. the costis too high. A major part of the buffer system is sodium bicarbonate, which combineswith acid and carries it away. It can be seen that bicarbonate therefore is usedup 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 alkalineelemental buffers and blood builders can be good for the horse and for any animalfor that matter. This is why I created a new line of supplements for animalscalled pHorse Power(TM) that will be released in January of 2007.

The pHorse Power(TM) formulas by pH Miracle will have several formulas directedat maintaining the alkaline design of an animals blood and tissues. The firstformula is an alkaline buffering supplement containing the four bicarbonate saltsof sodium, magnesium, potassium and calcium to help neutralize the lactic acidbuild 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 lacticacid with the primary ingredient of Co-factor Q-10. The third formula is a clayproduct to help neutralize the acids of digestion and metabolism. The fourthformula is a blood cleanser and builder with alkalizing green fruits, vegetablesand grasses. The fifth formula is designed to mediate lactic acid build-up withone of the most powerful antioxidants - Glutathione.

The pHorse Power(TM) formulas will help to strengthen the horses alkaline bufferingsystem and to allow them to better cope with the surges of lactic acid afterraces and workouts. This strengthening of the buffering system can easily bedone by adding the pHorse Power(TM) formulations to the water or feed on a dailybasis.

The pHorse Power(TM) formulations by pH Miracle are a bicarbonate-based, superantioxidant, green vegetables, fruits, grasses and healthy fats buffering systemwhich is highly effective in countering states of acidosis in all animals.



1) Formula 1 - Bicarbonate of sodium, magnesium, potassium and calcium 226 grams- Recomended dosage: 1 scoop or 3 grams in 1 quart/liter of water or feed.

2) Formula 2 - Montmorillonite clay 453 grams - Recommeded dosage: 1 scoop or 3 grams in 1 quart/liter of water or feed.

3) Formula 3 - Co-Factor Q-10 - 4 oz. bottle - Recommende dosage: 1 tsp 3 times a day.

4) Formula 4 - Blended fruits, vegetables and grasses 453 grams - Recommend dosage: 1 scoop or 3 grams in 1 quart/liter or water or feed.


5) Formula 5 - Glutathione 4 oz. bottle - Recommended dosage 1 tsp 3 times a day.

6) Formula 6 - Magnesium Oxide Powder 226 grams - Recommended dosage: 1 scoop or 3 grams in 6 to 8 ounces of water or mix in feed/food.

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.