Can clinical pathology predict performance? Interpreting blood results in performance horses

Haematology and biochemistry are frequently used to assess horses' fitness to compete and, in the event of disappointment, to investigate potential explanations for under-performance (Figs. 1 - 3). Despite the perceived importance of clinical pathology in these animals the evidence to substantiate the value of specific tests of fitness in resting horses is lacking. In addition to assessing measures of fitness directly, clinical pathology has a role in eliminating the presence of infectious challenge or other disease that may have a significant effect on performance. The role of haematological and clinical chemical examinations and relevance of specific findings are discussed.