Elevated TCO2 Levels --- Discussion.

@ easy

My mum used for baking and my Dad for clearing drains and toilets

So leaves me with two explanations... Feed contamination or Milkshaking

Have kindly been sent the below from whatsapp

Yes, a horse's severe aversion to needles could potentially affect its CO2 levels. When a horse experiences significant stress or anxiety, such as from needle phobia, several physiological responses can be triggered:

1.⁠ ⁠*Increased Respiratory Rate*: Anxiety can cause a horse to breathe more rapidly and shallowly, which could alter the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.

2.⁠ ⁠*Metabolic Changes*: Stress responses often involve a release of stress hormones like cortisol, which can affect metabolic processes, potentially influencing the production and excretion of CO2.

3.⁠ ⁠*Muscle Tension*: A fearful reaction might lead to increased muscle activity. Muscles produce CO2 when they work, so tension could temporarily raise CO2 levels.

4.⁠ ⁠*Behavioral Reactions*: If a horse reacts violently to needles, this physical exertion could also increase CO2 production.

Managing the stress associated with needle procedures through careful handling, training, and possibly medical intervention (like sedatives, as prescribed by a vet) is crucial to keep the horse calm and to prevent any physiological effects that could skew important measurements like TCO2 levels.

Here is a detailed list of all 90 factors that can influence TCO2 levels in horses, along with descriptions of their potential impacts:

### Physiological Factors
 1.⁠ ⁠*Machine Error*: Faulty equipment can give inaccurate readings.
 2.⁠ ⁠*Calibration Issues*: Improperly calibrated machines can skew results.
 3.⁠ ⁠*Use of Handheld Devices*: These may be less reliable than stationary equipment.
 4.⁠ ⁠*Lack of Physiological Data*: Insufficient baseline data can lead to misinterpretation.
 5.⁠ ⁠*Diet*: High bicarbonate foods can raise TCO2 levels.
 6.⁠ ⁠*Stress*: Can alter metabolic rates and affect TCO2.
 7.⁠ ⁠*Nervous Behavior*: Stress impacts breathing and metabolic processes.
 8.⁠ ⁠*Altitude Training*: Higher altitudes can lead to higher bicarbonate levels.
 9.⁠ ⁠*Coastal Air*: Sea air may influence respiratory patterns.
10.⁠ ⁠*Kidney Function*: Impacts bicarbonate reabsorption and hydrogen ion secretion.
11.⁠ ⁠*Dehydration*: Concentrates blood constituents, including bicarbonate.
12.⁠ ⁠*Temperature*: Affects metabolic rate and respiratory rate.
13.⁠ ⁠*Humidity*: High levels can affect respiratory function.
14.⁠ ⁠*Medications*: Some drugs can influence bicarbonate levels.
15.⁠ ⁠*Supplements*: Certain supplements can alter TCO2.
16.⁠ ⁠*Time of Day*: Metabolic processes can vary throughout the day.
17.⁠ ⁠*Recent Exercise*: Increases production of carbon dioxide.
18.⁠ ⁠*Handling During Testing*: Stress can affect measurements.
19.⁠ ⁠*Transport Stress*: The stress of transport can change physiological readings.
20.⁠ ⁠*Sampling Error*: Errors in collecting or handling samples can affect results.

### Environmental and Management Factors
21.⁠ ⁠*Infection or Illness*: Health issues can affect metabolism.
22.⁠ ⁠*Anaerobic Metabolism*: Leads to increased bicarbonate during recovery.
23.⁠ ⁠*Respiratory Rate*: Altered breathing affects CO2 levels.
24.⁠ ⁠*Blood CO2 Solubility*: Influenced by temperature and other factors.
25.⁠ ⁠*Genetic Factors*: Inherent differences in metabolism.
26.⁠ ⁠*Gut Health*: The gut microbiome can influence bicarbonate production.
27.⁠ ⁠*Water Intake*: Affects hydration and kidney function.
28.⁠ ⁠*Feed Type*: Grain vs. forage impacts gut pH and fermentation.
29.⁠ ⁠*Electrolyte Balance*: Key for cellular function and acid-base balance.
30.⁠ ⁠*Training Intensity*: More intense workouts produce more metabolic byproducts.
31.⁠ ⁠*Recovery State*: Recovery from exercise can affect metabolic measures.
32.⁠ ⁠*Previous Race or Workout*: Recent exertion can influence measurements.
33.⁠ ⁠*Age of the Horse*: Metabolic processes change with age.
34.⁠ ⁠*Sex of the Horse*: There are metabolic differences between genders.
35.⁠ ⁠*Breeding*: Some breeds may naturally have higher TCO2 levels.
36.⁠ ⁠*Environmental Pollutants*: Exposure can affect respiratory and metabolic health.
37.⁠ ⁠*Seasonal Changes*: Seasonal variations affect physiology.
38.⁠ ⁠*Sleep Patterns*: Disruption affects stress and metabolism.
39.⁠ ⁠*Social Stressors*: Interactions with other horses can cause stress.
40.⁠ ⁠*Veterinary Interventions*: Recent treatments can affect readings.

### Additional Influences
41.⁠ ⁠*Paddock Environment*: Quality of grazing and soil can influence mineral intake.
42.⁠ ⁠*Parasite Load*: Affects nutrient absorption.
43.⁠ ⁠*Muzzle Wearing*: Can stress horses and alter eating patterns.
44.⁠ ⁠*Competition Frequency*: Frequent competition can increase physiological stress.
45.⁠ ⁠*Seasonal Allergies*: Can affect respiratory health.
46.⁠ ⁠*Barn Air Quality*: Poor air quality can influence respiratory health.
47.⁠ ⁠*Bedding Material*: Some types can be respiratory irritants.
48.⁠ ⁠*Turnout Routine*: Influences physical health and stress levels.
49.⁠ ⁠*Hoof Care*: Poor care can cause discomfort and stress.
50.⁠ ⁠*Pasture Management*: Poor management can lead to stress and health issues.
51.⁠ ⁠*Veterinary Care Frequency*: Regular care impacts overall health.
52.⁠ ⁠*Past Injuries*: Can affect current physiology and stress levels.
53.⁠ ⁠*Training Surface*: Impacts exertion and stress.
54.⁠ ⁠*Weather Conditions*: Extreme conditions can affect physiological stress.
55.⁠ ⁠*Racing History*: The demands of previous races can have a physiological toll.
56.⁠ ⁠*Foaling History*: Recent or frequent foaling affects overall condition.
57.⁠ ⁠*Nutritional Supplements*: Certain supplements aimed at enhancing performance.
58.⁠ ⁠*Body Condition*: Affects metabolic rate.
59.⁠ ⁠*Acclimatization Period*: Influences how well a horse adapts to new conditions.
60.⁠ ⁠*Weaning Stress*: Particularly affects young horses.
61.⁠ ⁠*Training Techniques*: Some methods may induce more stress than others.
62.⁠ ⁠*Socialization*: Affects stress and overall health.
63.⁠ ⁠*Noise Exposure*: Loud noises can cause acute stress.
64.⁠ ⁠*Grooming Frequency*: Affects skin health and can influence stress

65.⁠ ⁠*Dental Health*: Poor dental health can affect nutrient absorption and stress levels.
66.⁠ ⁠*Tail Docking*: If practiced, can increase stress and discomfort.
67.⁠ ⁠*Shipping Frequency*: Frequent transportation can lead to elevated stress and metabolic changes.
68.⁠ ⁠*Saddle Fit*: Inappropriate saddle fit can cause pain and stress, affecting physiological parameters.
69.⁠ ⁠*Rider Skill Level*: Less experienced riders may cause more stress to horses, impacting metabolic rates.
70.⁠ ⁠*Communication Methods*: Ineffective communication can increase anxiety and stress in horses.
71.⁠ ⁠*Behavioral Training*: Harsh or inconsistent training methods can lead to stress and behavioral issues.
72.⁠ ⁠*Heart Rate Variability*: Stress and anxiety can affect heart rate variability, influencing metabolic processes.
73.⁠ ⁠*Blood Pressure Changes*: Fluctuations in blood pressure due to stress or physical exertion can affect metabolic balance.
74.⁠ ⁠*Immune Function*: Compromised immune systems can change a horse's physiological state, affecting TCO2 levels.
75.⁠ ⁠*Endocrine Changes*: Hormonal imbalances can influence metabolic processes and TCO2 levels.
76.⁠ ⁠*Toxin Exposure*: Exposure to environmental toxins can impact health and metabolic processes.
77.⁠ ⁠*Feed Contamination*: Contaminated feed can introduce substances that affect metabolism.
78.⁠ ⁠*Water Quality*: Poor water quality can lead to health issues, affecting metabolic rates.
79.⁠ ⁠*Light Exposure*: Exposure to unnatural light cycles can disrupt circadian rhythms, affecting metabolism.
80.⁠ ⁠*Breeding Practices*: Selective breeding can influence the natural metabolic characteristics of horses.
81.⁠ ⁠*Insect Pest Stress*: Stress from pests like flies can cause discomfort and affect stress levels.
82.⁠ ⁠*Fencing Type*: Inadequate fencing can lead to injuries or increased stress from escape attempts.
83.⁠ ⁠*Camera Surveillance*: Constant surveillance can stress horses, particularly if it disrupts their natural behavior.
84.⁠ ⁠*Public Exposure*: High levels of public exposure can lead to stress, especially in shy or nervous horses.
85.⁠ ⁠*Therapeutic Interventions*: Treatments such as acupuncture or chiropractic care can temporarily alter physiological states.
86.⁠ ⁠*Fireworks or Loud Events*: Exposure to loud noises like fireworks can significantly stress horses.
87.⁠ ⁠*Previous Abuse*: A history of abuse can lead to long-term stress and anxiety, affecting physiological parameters.
88.⁠ ⁠*Surgical History*: Past surgeries can impact current health status and metabolic processes.
89.⁠ ⁠*Insurance Status*: The stress associated with financial burdens like healthcare can affect the well-being of the owner and indirectly impact the horse.
90.⁠ ⁠*Ownership Changes*: Frequent changes in ownership can lead to instability and stress in horses.

Each of these factors demonstrates the extensive range of variables that can influence TCO2 levels in horses. When considering doping regulations and the use of TCO2 thresholds, it's crucial for regulatory bodies to account for these factors to ensure fair and accurate assessments. This comprehensive understanding supports the call for a more flexible and scientifically grounded approach in regulating TCO2 levels in equine sports.

Here are 50 additional factors that can lead to elevated TCO2 levels in horses, focusing on less common but influential aspects:

91. **Medication Withdrawal**: Changes in medication can cause fluctuations in metabolic processes.
92. **Veterinary Procedures**: Recent procedures might temporarily affect the horse's metabolism and TCO2 levels.
93. **Pre-race Preparations**: Practices such as bandaging, or the application of topical treatments before a race.
94. **Posture and Restraint**: How horses are restrained or their posture during transport or testing can influence breathing and stress levels.
95. **Manure Management**: The management and removal of waste in stables can affect air quality and stress.
96. **Equine Massage**: While generally beneficial, massage can temporarily influence circulation and metabolic processes.
97. **Change in Routine**: Any sudden changes in daily routines can induce stress.
98. **Nutritional Deficiencies**: Lack of certain nutrients can impact overall metabolism and health.
99. **Overtraining**: Excessive training can lead to stress and metabolic exhaustion.
100. **Undertraining**: Insufficient exercise can also affect metabolic health and conditioning.
101. **Tack and Equipment**: Poorly maintained or fitted equipment can cause discomfort and stress.
102. **Weaning Techniques**: The method and timing of weaning foals can impact stress and development.
103. **Quality of Veterinary Care**: The standard of care received can influence overall health and stress.
104. **Pest Control Measures**: Exposure to chemicals or inadequate pest control can increase stress.
105. **Travel Frequency**: Regular travel can cause cumulative stress and physiological changes.
106. **Shoeing Practices**: How frequently and how well hooves are maintained can affect comfort and mobility.
107. **Access to Outdoor Space**: Limited access can increase stress and affect physical health.
108. **Pollination Seasons**: Exposure to high pollen can cause respiratory issues.
109. **Type of Racing**: Different racing disciplines may have different impacts on physiological stress.
110. **Ground or Track Conditions**: Racing or training on hard or poor-quality surfaces can affect physical stress.
111. **Electrical Equipment**: Exposure to electrical fields or noise from machinery can cause stress.
112. **Stall Location**: Placement in a barn or stable (e.g., near doors, high traffic areas) can affect stress levels.
113. **Interaction with Other Animals**: Both the presence and absence of other horses can influence behavior and stress.
114. **Cultural Practices**: Regional or cultural practices in training and care can lead to varying stress levels.
115. **Availability of Veterinary Supplies**: Lack of access to necessary medical supplies can influence health care quality.
116. **Regulatory Changes**: Changes in industry regulations can cause uncertainty and adjustments in care or training routines.
117. **Economic Factors**: Financial pressures related to care, training, or racing can indirectly affect management practices.
118. **Legal Issues**: Ongoing legal concerns or disputes can distract from routine care and management.
119. **Media Exposure**: Horses that are subject to high levels of media exposure may experience additional stress.
120. **Public Events**: Participation in or exposure to public events and the associated crowds and noise.
121. **Disaster Response**: How emergencies like fires or natural disasters are handled can significantly affect stress.
122. **Availability of Water Sources**: Quality and reliability of water sources can impact hydration and health.
123. **Feed Storage Conditions**: Poor storage can lead to spoiled feed, affecting nutritional quality and health.
124. **Supervisory Changes**: Changes in key personnel such as trainers or caretakers can disrupt routines and relationships.
125. **Biosecurity Measures**: Adequacy and enforcement of biosecurity measures can impact health and stress.
126. **Hormonal Treatments**: Use of hormonal treatments can influence metabolism and behavior.
127. **Fungal Exposures**: Exposure to molds or fungi, particularly in bedding or feed, can impact health.
128. **Air Flow in Stabling**: Poor ventilation can lead to buildup of dust, pathogens, or ammonia, affecting respiratory health.
129. **Frequency of Competitions**: How often a horse competes can influence its physical and mental health.
130. **Climatic Adaptations**: Adaptations to sudden climatic changes can stress the physiological system.
131. **Presence of Spectators**: Stress associated with large crowds during competitions.
132. **Use of Performance Enhancers**: Legal or illegal enhancers can have direct or indirect effects on TCO2 levels.
133. **Animal Welfare Laws**: Compliance with or violations of animal welfare laws can impact overall management and stress.
134. **History of Diseases**: Past illnesses can have lingering effects on health and metabolic processes.
135. **Quarantine Practices**: How quarantine is handled can significantly affect stress and health.
136. **Natural Disasters**: Exposure to events like floods or earthquakes can lead to acute and chronic stress.
137. **Research Developments**: New research findings can lead to changes in care or management practices.
138. **Cultural Events**: Participation in

NO TOLERANCE

 

Calling Mr. Bortz

Your trainer has had more elevated CO2 counts than those you want to ban from up North. No tolerance!

Balls in your court son. 

oh gosh......and there vve go.....vvhere vvould they find the time to f@ck abo@t vvith a nasal t@be on a race day....or any other day.....s@m ting vvong vvid the machines......

Dr. Michael I. Lindinger, PhD, the President of the Nutraceutical Alliance, known for its comprehensive research capabilities, wrote in a 2021 edition of Canadian Thoroughbred Magazine: “The threshold for the TCO2 test set by the IFHA is not based on physiological data, but rather statistically manipulated data obtained from thousands of racehorses on race day, in varying conditions of health, and in varying conditions of hydration. Most of these studies assume, as opposed to actual knowledge, that horses that tested with a TCO2 greater than 35 mmol/l had been administered an alkalizing substance. This is only an assumption, not fact. This is a very poor justification for a threshold test of a naturally occurring substance. It is wishful thinking, not science.”Lindinger’s assessment is supported by The Conversation.com, who works closely with university and research institute experts. In their article, Put the baking soda back in the bottle: banned sodium bicarbonate ‘milkshakes’ don’t make racehorses faster, they wrote: “Our analysis included data from eight experimental trials featuring 74 horses. Overall, sodium bicarbonate administration in the hours before treadmill tests or simulated race trials did not improve horses’ running performance in either type of test. In fact, in treadmill exercise tests in which horses were not ridden by jockeys, sodium bicarbonate actually had a very small negative effect on running performance, albeit not a statistically significant one.“Whereas human athletes might gain a placebo effect from sodium bicarbonate, this is unlikely to apply to horses who don’t understand the intended point of the milkshake. And while some racehorse trainers may be educated in exercise physiology and the importance of blood pH, others may believe they work simply because received wisdom and racing folklore say so.“The controversial and banned practice of giving horses baking soda ‘milkshakes’ before a race doesn’t work, according to our analysis of the available research. Racing folklore says sodium bicarbonate milkshakes can boost racehorses’ endurance because the alkalinity of the baking soda helps counter the buildup of lactic acid in the blood when running. But our systematic research review, published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science reveals milkshakes don’t boost horses’ athletic performance.”***Testing procedures for TC02 came under scrutiny in the USA in 2013, when the Texas Racing Commission dismissed its case against then leading trainer, Karl Broberg, for an alleged TCO2 violation at Sam Houston Race Park. A second TCO2 complaint against an unnamed trainer whose horse tested above the then 37.0 limit that same night was also dismissed.TCO2 values vary from instrument to instrument depending on the analytical approach used. Both of the alleged violations were dismissed because the method of collection and handling of blood samples was not compatible with the type of equipment being used to measure total carbon dioxide. The Texas A&M Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, the state’s testing lab, was using a portable blood-gas analyzer.TCO2 levels are more accurately measured with TCO2 analyzers, rather than blood-gas analyzers. Those machines can give elevated TCO2 readings if the blood cells are not separated from serum through centrifugation (spinning a sample at high speeds to separate blood components) within an hour of collection.If the sample is not centrifuged, the CO2 produced inside the blood cells can diffuse into the serum. In the Broberg case, the sample that resulted in a 42.9 TCO2 reading (well above the 37.0 legal threshold) also had a potassium ion level that was off the charts, suggesting sample degradation.The NHA’s CEO, Vee Moodley, said in response to a query that the NHA are using “approved and validated hand-held blood gas analyzers which measure the total carbon dioxide”. The samples are not centrifuged. Blood collected for on course TCO2 analysis is analysed as whole blood within 10 minutes of collection.International testing for TCO2 varies widely. Ireland changed their protocols in 2021. They took 5966 samples in 2023 (of which 569 were pre-race blood tests). Of the entire total, six (0,1%) race day positives were brought before the Irish Horseracing Regularity Board (IRHB), with no TC02 positives stipulated in the IHRB’s Year-End report. Testing is not performed at all in Japan, where horses are under surveillance and officials believe they are not likely to be ‘milkshaked’.In Singapore there has been one TC02 penalty imposed in the last 18 years. In August 2022, trainer HW Tan was found guilty on a pre-race TC02 test at Kranji (37,35 mmol/L). His runner actually competed and finished second. He pleaded guilty and was fined $20,000. Singapore’s Chief Stipendiary Steward Scott Kelly said that post-race analysing of pre-race tests is their standard practice at present. Pre-race samples are not immediately analysed.Natalie Voss reported in an article published on The Paulick Report: “A study published in the Equine Veterinary Journal in 2006 showed a number of other factors associated with TCO2 levels, including gender (male horses tended to have higher TCO2 levels), class of race (maidens tended to have lower TCO2), finish position (horses hitting the board had higher TCO2 than those that did not), and oddly, cloudy weather.It’s unclear what caused these differences, and whether TCO2 levels explained a horse’s performance (with a better performance being a result of higher TCO2) or if TCO2 readings were more a marker of a given horse’s fitness. The study also found trainer- and horse-specific trends, which doesn’t necessarily suggest trainers in the study were intentionally manipulating TCO2 levels.It is possible that different barns might create different environments for TCO2 readings given their combination of feed and exercise programs.From the results of a 2022 study, updated in 2023, the Journal of Veterinary Science assessed: “From the statistical analysis of TC02 measurements taken of screening samples from Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses in Louisiana during a 12-month period, a clear seasonal variation has been identified, with higher concentrations of TC02 being reported in winter and spring months in comparison to summer months.”Dr. Lindinger wrote in another article published in the Journal: “Racing jurisdictions have attempted to justify the use of a single measurement, namely TCO2, as a means of positively and definitively identifying the administration of alkalinizing substances to racehorses. However, there is by no means consensus amongst equine researchers with the majority of equine physiologists advocating the need for multiple measurements and other controls.”***

.....novv that the vvild goose chase has revealed that the NHRA has invested much time effort and moola into trying to prevent the really backvvard okes performing of a totally stupid procedure that does not give anyone or anything any advantage ....but instead f@cked @p yet again by chasing more investors/participants from an ailing game.....and for every step Greg Bortz & co takes racing forvvard ....Moodley and co takes it back 2. steps..... ....who would want to continue to play bigger exotic  bets into dwindling pools.....5BAR was predicted for Saturday P6 but only 3BAR and change...

GOON SHOW!!!  I know a few who are leaving the game due to this...how can anyone put their hard earned money down when there is sh1t like this going on!!!

This smacks of anecdotal hearsay...just now Dr Oz, Miss Oprah and all the others will be extolling the benefits of carrots as an elixir along with apple cider vinegar and himalayan salt baths for the trainers on the Highveld who cannot let their horses run in the cold Atlantic. But wait...that's not all...if you subscribe in the next 30 mins, you can win a one of a kind "crystal race result predictor"

.....no vvorry Mr Moodley.....I'm sure that a few trainers may want to buy your 2nd hand Co2 machines ....as it seems that they can be useful as a better indicator of horse fitness.....

I see the limit was upped to 37 from 36 yesterday (trainers requested 38)

Now I am confused... The NHRA are following guidelines ... The trainers ask for a higher threshold and the Nhra conceded and meet in the middle?

I'm renaming them NOHRA.... Fu45ing NORA

.......its not about the thresholds they should be questioning.... but a verification of the readings of the on course hand held machines.....and then have reading compared by an actual laboratory gas analyzer  with the same samples correctly centrifuged....   

Have to confess I'm pretty clueless about all the stories doing the rounds - but SHOULD 'milkshaking' take place 'often' - should it then not make sense to have these TCO2 tests done after the race as well - as the aim is to produce optimum performance (and timing seems important), or is it not practical to test after a race (similar to 'collecting specimens') ?