amefi Jun 28, 2010:

Na verdade, Manoel, se eles têm a doença e realizam esforço extremo podem estar em risco. Portadores dessa doença só servem pra trabalhos moderados. Veja: "O prognóstico para os cavalos de corrida e trabalho intenso é desfavorável, pois estes se tornam deficientes em termos de respiração, devido à baixa capacidade de captação de oxigênio, mas em relação à vida dos mesmos se torna bom para os cavalos de trabalho moderado e destinados à reprodução", em http://www.abqm.com.br/SecaoTecnica/DoencaPulmonar.asp

Manuel O (asker) Jun 28, 2010:

As for further context, here it is (again): It's a scene in an adventure novel set in Roman times. The horses are being chased by tribesmen and their dogs. The two heroes who ride them dismount at some point and hide. The horses keep running in terror, riderless, chased by the tribesmen. In their hiding place one of the heroes then says: "I can't stop thinking about those poor horses", and the other replies "they'll be OK, unless their wind is broken. These tribesmen don't kill horses." BUT he seems to imply that this "broken wind" will be their doom or will cause them to be permanently disabled. Earlier in the story when the heroes try to sell other horses, the man they're dealing with refuses to buy them because "their wind is broken". So, is it possible that after an excessive effort, an horse becomes in some way disabled, or chronically ill?

liz askew Jun 28, 2010:

Dear amefi. Thank you for your further references and comments, both here and privately.

amefi Jun 28, 2010:

dictionary reference Please, once again, check http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/wind-broken

liz askew Jun 28, 2010:

wouldn't "shortness of breath" be more suitable?
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:q8J28In...

liz askew Jun 28, 2010:

Seriously, again, I would not to wish to offend an expert on horses, but why are they riding/using horses who are suffering from a serious respiratory disorder? This is cruel surely. I would be grateful for further Portuguese context. I am only concerned about these horses.

liz askew Jun 27, 2010:

From my understanding this is about horse-riding, and horses maybe running out of breath, particularly if they are chased by a pack of dogs?

amefi Jun 27, 2010:

Doença equina Wind brake = nome comum da doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica. Comum em animais estabulados de meia idade. Comumente chamado no Brasil de BRONQUITE CRÔNICA.