By Phil Williams

Nowhere in the Olympic Games has the University of Georgia had a greater impact than on the equestrian events. The effects of heat and humidity on horses are so daunting, in fact, that some doubted the wisdom of holding the events at all.

Recognizing the potential problems more than four years ago, however, researchers in the College of Veterinary Medicine, through meticulous studies and planning, have given the international equine athletes a chance to shine without suffering. Equestrian events are unique in the Olympics, the only time humans compete as partners with animals--and men and women compete as equals.

"Nobody in the world is more concerned with the health of these animals than the people sitting on them," says Susan White, of the College of Veterinary Medicine. "I'm proud that our college began the studies and has contributed so much to the welfare of equine athletes."

The equine events, in fact, promise to be one of the showcases of the Olympics due to the new International Horse Park in Conyers, by all accounts one of the best such facilities in the world. While UGA researchers, along with colleagues at the University of Tennessee, have been investigating ways of keeping the horses healthy, the vet college's responsibilities extend far beyond planning.

Primary treatment site
The Large Animal Hospital at the school will be the primary site for treatment of critically ill or injured horses that can't be treated at the competition site. Veterinarians will be on call at the hospital during all events. Even better for the horses, however, the venue will have a complete telemedicine setup, whereby experts back at UGA can remotely "examine" horses or help with diagnoses via video transmission. In addition, UGA will have six veterinarians on site in Conyers.

Combatting heat exhaustion
Horse events rarely take place in hot, humid weather. After many horses suffered from heat exhaustion at the 1978 World Championships, held in Kentucky in late September, major international events have been held in the United States only before April or after October to avoid extremes of heat and humidity.

Equine exercise physiology is a relatively new discipline, barely more than 20 years old at the time the 1996 Games were awarded to Atlanta. At that time, most studies had focused on long-distance endurance horses and professional race horses. Olympic events held in a hot, humid climate presented challenges for which there was no research at all. That's why White, her colleague in the vet college Lisa Williamson, and researchers from UT began their work on heat stress several years ago.

"The key to the research was that we were able to measure heart rate and blood factors in horses being exercised with a rider, rather than in a lab," says White.

The most arduous competition is the three-day event, which has three distinct parts. Dressage, on the first day, has been compared to a combination of ballet and gymnastics and tests a horse's suppleness, consistency and obedience. The speed and endurance test, on the second day, consists of a roads-and-tracks section, a steeplechase, a second roads-and-tracks section followed by a mandatory 10-minute pause, and a cross-country course. The final event, on the third day, is a stadium jumping competition.

Worldwide contributions
Since White and her colleagues began their work on the stress of heat and humidity in such competitions, veterinary researchers around the globe have contributed several dozen more studies. Events and courses for the Atlanta Olympics have been modified, and there is a greater chance than usual that the horses will emerge uninjured from the events. Precautionary measures include shortened courses and increased veterinary surveillance.

While the studies have provided baseline information, White has also worked tirelessly with national equine federations to spread the word about how heat stress affects horses. The information has helped riders plan everything from feeding to shipping. Veterinarians at UGA have also worked with the state veterinarianžs office to map out disaster plans for the equine venue--whether that disaster be fires, tornadoes or terrorists.

In addition, horses invited to the Olympics this year must, for the first time, show that they have already competed successfully in conditions similar to what they will find in Atlanta. Event organizers will also keep an eye on the level of danger; under extreme conditions of heat and humidity, the veterinary commission might not let the horses compete at all. The most stressful competitions are scheduled for mornings, to minimize heat stress.

"These equine athletes are like human triathletes," says White. "We have to know ahead of time what they have done to understand how they will fare here. The principles learned and applied here will be applicable to any horse exercising in hot conditions."

While the focus is on competition at the Olympic Games, preventing damage to the horses is paramount.