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Topic:Adult Horses
Adult horses encompass a category of equines that have reached maturity, typically considered to be around five years of age and older. This stage of life is characterized by full physical development and the potential for peak performance in various activities such as riding, racing, and work. Adult horses require specific nutritional, health, and management practices to maintain optimal condition and performance. The study of adult horses covers a range of topics, including physiology, behavior, and the impact of environmental factors on their well-being. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the physiology, health management, and performance aspects of adult horses.
The effects of equine peripheral blood stem cells on cutaneous wound healing: a clinical evaluation in four horses. Stem-cell therapy represents a promising strategy for the treatment of challenging pathologies, such as large, infected wounds that are unresponsive to conventional therapies. The present study describes the clinical application of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) for the treatment of four adult Warmblood horses with naturally occurring wounds, which were unresponsive to conventional therapies for at least 3 months. A visual assessment was performed, and a number of wound-healing parameters (granulation tissue, crust formation and scar formation) were evaluated. In all cases, tissue overgro...
Magnetic resonance imaging of plantar soft tissue structures of the tarsus and proximal metatarsus in foals and adult horses. The object of this study was to describe previously defined soft tissue structures by using spin and gradient sequences in a 0.5 Tesla magnetic resonance system in order to improve the characterisation of tendon and ligaments at the plantar region of the equine tarsus and metatarsus while considering possible age-related variations. Methods: Cadaveric hindlimbs from twenty-two Warmblood horses with an age range from one month to twenty-five years were examined in spin and gradient echoes. The proximal suspensory ligament from six limbs was dissected to assign the signal intensities histologica...
Pharmacokinetics of midazolam after intravenous administration to horses. Midazolam is used to control seizures in horses and to enhance muscle relaxation, but its pharmacokinetics are unknown. Objective: To determine the pharmacokinetics and sedative effects of midazolam in horses. Methods: Blinded, randomised, crossover design. Methods: Midazolam was administered i.v. at either 0.05 or 0.1 mg/kg bwt to 6 horses on 2 occasions at least 7 days apart using a crossover design. Blood samples were collected before and at predetermined times through 24 h after administration. Serum midazolam concentrations were determined by a liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectromet...
The effects of hyperglycemia and endotoxemia on coagulation parameters in healthy adult horses. Hyperglycemia and endotoxemia have been associated with coagulation abnormalities in horses. Studies in humans suggest greater disturbances in coagulation with hyperglycemia and concurrent endotoxemia. Objective: To compare coagulation parameters in horses administered with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with and without concurrent hyperglycemia. Methods: Twelve healthy adult horses. Methods: Hyperglycemia (180-240 mg/dL) was maintained for 6 hours in 6 horses (GLU-LPS) using 140 mg/kg IV bolus of dextrose followed by a 20% dextrose constant rate infusion. A similar volume of saline was administe...
Pharmacokinetics of a peroral single dose of two long-acting formulations and an aqueous formulation of doxycycline hyclate in horses. Doxycyline (Dox) is a semisynthetic antibacterial drug with pharmacological advantages over its parent drug (tetracycline) in the treatment of various bacterial diseases in horses. Yet, at present a horse-customized pharmaceutical formulation is not available. Based on its pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) ratio, Dox is considered a time-dependent antibacterial drug and ideally expected to achieve sustained plasma drug concentrations both at or slightly above the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) level for as long as possible between dosing intervals. Hence, the objective of this st...
Measures of antioxidant status of the horse in response to selenium depletion and repletion. Selenium plays a role in the antioxidant mechanism via the selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Change in Se status because of Se depletion or supplementation is associated with a change in GSH-Px activity and could potentially affect antioxidant status. This study evaluated the impact of change in Se status on measures of antioxidant status and oxidative stress in adult horses. Twenty-eight horses were blocked by age and gender and were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 dietary treatment groups: low Se (LS), adequate Se (AS), high organic Se (SP), and high inorganic Se (SS). For 196 d, LS...
Digestive capacity in weanling and mature horses. The ability of young and mature horses to digest DM, OM, and NDF was compared using 6 weanling colts and 6 mature (13.2 ± 3.0 yr) geldings. Each colt was paired with a gelding, and the pair was adapted to a diet containing 67% alfalfa cubes and 33% concentrate for 21 d. During the adaptation period, horses were accustomed to housing and all handling procedures. The adaptation period was also used to adjust the amount of feed offered to minimize orts and to maintain similar rates of intake within a pair. After the adaptation period, a 5-d fecal collection period using fecal collection harnesse...
Renal replacement therapy in healthy adult horses. Renal replacement therapy (RRT) has been implemented extensively in people to facilitate recovery from acute renal failure (ARF). RRT has not been explored in horses, but might provide a further treatment option in horses with ARF. Objective: To investigate efficacy and safety of RRT in horses. Methods: Five healthy adult horses. Methods: A prospective study was performed on horses restrained in stocks and intravenously connected to a commercial RRT machine to allow continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration to be performed for 6 hours. The RRT machine was set at the following flow rates: blood ...
Selenium deficiency associations with gender, breed, serum vitamin E and creatine kinase, clinical signs and diagnoses in horses of different age groups: a retrospective examination 1996-2011. Selenium and vitamin E deficiency have been associated with nutritional myopathy, more commonly known as white muscle disease (WMD) in horses. However, correlations between selenium concentrations and presenting clinical signs, age, breed, gender, serum vitamin E, creatine kinase (CK) and final diagnosis, have not previously been evaluated. Objective: To determine the number of hospitalised horses in 3 age groups that were selenium tested and the proportions of horses with categorised presenting clinical signs; the association/odds risk of final diagnosis with selenium deficiency and to examin...
Pathological evidence of pancreatitis in 43 horses (1986-2011). Definitive ante mortem diagnosis of pancreatitis in horses is difficult. Reports summarising the most common clinical signs, clinicopathological features and concurrent disorders in horses with a definitive diagnosis of pancreatitis that may aid in the recognition of disease are lacking. Objective: To describe case details, clinical signs, clinicopathological data and necropsy findings in horses with a definitive diagnosis of pancreatitis. Methods: This was a retrospective study (1986-2011) and inclusion criteria consisted of horses with a definitive diagnosis of pancreatitis. A medical record...
Effect of sample handling and storage time on the stability of total CO2 in equine plasma. The stability of total CO2 concentration (ctCO2) in plasma is influenced by storage temperature and handling during sample processing. Conflicting information exists regarding the stability of ctCO2 in equine plasma over time, and the effect of centrifugation on the measured value for plasma ctCO2 is unclear. Objective: To determine plasma ctCO2 stability over 5 days when equine blood is collected into Vacutainer tubes, centrifuged within 30 min of collection, and stored at 4 degrees C; and to determine whether a delay in centrifugation increases the rate at which plasma ctCO2 decreases over t...
In vitro biomechanical comparison of a 4.5 mm narrow locking compression plate construct versus a 4.5 mm limited contact dynamic compression plate construct for arthrodesis of the equine proximal interphalangeal joint. To compare the in vitro biomechanical properties of a 4.5 mm narrow locking compression plate (PIP-LCP) with 2 abaxially located transarticular screws and a 4.5 mm limited contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) with 2 abaxially located transarticular screws using equine pasterns. Methods: Experimental. Paired in vitro biomechanical testing of 2 methods for stabilizing adult equine forelimb PIP joints. Methods: Adult equine forelimbs (n = 8 pairs). Methods: Each pair of PIP joints were randomly instrumented with either a PIP-LCP or LC-DCP plate axially and 2 parasagitally positioned 5.5 mm ...
Plasma matrix metalloproteinase activity in horses after intravenous infusion of lipopolysaccharide and treatment with matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors. To establish an in vivo method for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 induction in horses via IV administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and to evaluate the ability of doxycycline, oxytetracycline, flunixin meglumine, and pentoxifylline to inhibit equine MMP-2 and MMP-9 production. Methods: 29 adult horses of various ages and breeds and either sex. Methods: In part 1, horses received an IV administration of LPS (n = 5) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (5). Venous blood samples were collected before and at specified times for 24 hours after infusion. Plasma was harvested and analyzed f...
Effects of imidazoline and nonimidazoline alpha-adrenergic agents, including xylazine, medetomidine, yohimbine, tolazoline, and atipamezole, on aggregation of bovine and equine platelets. To investigate effects of various imidazoline and nonimidazoline α-adrenergic agents on aggregation and antiaggregation of bovine and equine platelets. Methods: Blood samples obtained from 8 healthy adult cattle and 16 healthy adult Thoroughbreds. Methods: Aggregation and antiaggregation effects of various imidazoline and nonimidazoline α-adrenergic agents on bovine and equine platelets were determined via a turbidimetric method. Collagen and ADP were used to initiate aggregation. Results: Adrenaline, noradrenaline, or α-adrenoceptor agents alone did not induce changes in aggregation of bov...
Pharmacokinetics and safety of oral administration of meloxicam to foals. The pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of meloxicam have been evaluated in adult horses, but not foals. Physiologic differences between neonates and adults might alter drug pharmacokinetics and therapeutic index. Objective: The pharmacokinetics of meloxicam will be different in foals compared with adult horses, and foals could be at increased risk for adverse drug effects. Methods: Twenty lightbreed foals less than 6 weeks of age at commencement of the study. Methods: Single and repeated oral dose pharmacokinetics were determined for meloxicam (0.6 mg/kg) in 10 foals. The safety of the d...
Influence of detomidine and xylazine on spleen dimensions and on splenic response to epinephrine infusion in healthy adult horses. To compare the changes in splenic length and thickness and in packed cell volume (PCV) following detomidine or xylazine administration and subsequent epinephrine infusion. Objective: Spleen relaxation occurs following xylazine or detomidine administration and interferes with subsequent splenic contractile response to epinephrine. Methods: Randomized non-blinded crossover experimental study. Methods: 6 healthy adult mares. Methods: The mares received an intravenous (IV) epinephrine infusion (1 μg kg(-1 ) minute(-1) over 5 minutes) one hour after IV administration of detomidine (0.01 mg kg(-1) ...
Long-lasting airway inflammation associated with equid herpesvirus-2 in experimentally challenged horses. The aim of this trial was to investigate the putative involvement of equid herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2) in airway inflammation of adult horses. Six horses received corticosteroid treatment, before either mock infection (n=2) or EHV-2 strain LK4 inoculation (n=4). These four horses were also submitted to immunosuppression 84 days post inoculation. EHV-2 was detected by quantitative PCR in respiratory samples up to respectively 21 days and 14 days. Nested PCR, cloning and sequencing allowed the detection of five different 'field' strains throughout the trial. Neutrophils proportions were transiently in...
Muscle and tendon heating rates with therapeutic ultrasound in horses. To (1) determine the temperature change in equine tendon and muscle during therapeutic ultrasound and (2) develop guidelines for treating horses for muscular or tendinous injury using therapeutic ultrasound. Methods: Experimental, in vivo study. Methods: Adult horses (n = 10). Methods: Thermistors were inserted in the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons (SDFT and DDFT) of the thoracic limbs of 10 adult horses. On the left, 3.3 MHz therapeutic continuous ultrasound was done for 10 minutes at an intensity of 1.0 W/cm(2) and for the right thoracic limb at 1.5 W/cm(2). Thermistors were pla...
Equine hoof wall tubule density and morphology. Density and morphologic features of hoof wall tubules in horses' hooves are described. The sample population consisted of hooves (n=12) from both live and deceased adult horses. Full wall thicknesses of the hoof wall were prepared histologically from sites at the toe, medial quarter and lateral quarter. In defined areas, tubules were counted, and density was calculated across the three histologically defined areas of the stratum externum, stratum medium and stratum internum along with the descriptive morphologic features of the tubules. Morphologically, distinct zones were demarcated by varyin...
Effects of compressive abdominal bandaging and transrectal palpation on intra-abdominal pressures in horses. To determine the effect of an abdominal support wrap and transrectal abdominal palpation on intra-abdominal pressures (IAPs) measured directly from the peritoneal space. Methods: Prospective, experimental study. Methods: A university-based equine research facility. Methods: Ten healthy adult horses, 5 males and 5 females. Methods: IAPs were measured through an intraperitoneal cannula zeroed at a height midway between the height of the tuber ishii and point of the shoulder. Triplicate measurements were obtained at rest, during transrectal palpation, after placement of an abdominal support wrap,...
Effect of therapeutic horseback riding on balance in community-dwelling older adults with balance deficits. Falls are an important cause of morbidity in older adults. Equine-assisted activities including therapeutic riding (TR) benefit balance and neuromuscular control in patients with neurological disabilities but have not been systematically studied in older adults at greater risk for falls due to balance deficits. The effect of an 8-week TR program on measures of balance and quality of life in community-dwelling older adults with established balance deficits was evaluated. Methods: This was a pretest-post-test single-group trial of a TR program on measures of balance and quality of life. Methods:...
Effects of infrared camera angle and distance on measurement and reproducibility of thermographically determined temperatures of the distolateral aspects of the forelimbs in horses. To assess effects of camera angle and distance on measurement and reproducibility of thermographically determined temperatures of the distolateral aspect of the forelimbs in horses. Methods: Evaluation study. Methods: 10 adult horses. Methods: Thermographic images of both forelimbs were obtained at 3 times during the day (replicates 1, 2, and 3); maximum surface temperature over 1 region (distolateral aspect of the third metacarpal bone and metacarpophalangeal joint) was measured. Standard images were obtained every 5 minutes for 1 hour with the camera positioned at an angle of 90° and a dist...
Doppler and volumetric echocardiographic methods for cardiac output measurement in standing adult horses. Cardiac output (CO) is not routinely measured in critically ill adult horses because of invasiveness of currently validated methods. Noninvasive CO monitoring would complement clinical assessment of hemodynamic status in adult horses. Objective: Volumetric methods for measuring CO will have better agreement with lithium dilution than Doppler-based methods. Methods: Eight healthy adult horses. Methods: Prospective study. CO was manipulated with continuous rate infusions of dobutamine and romifidine to achieve high and low CO states, respectively. At each level, CO was measured by lithium diluti...
The efficacy of rabbit antithymocyte globulin with cyclosporine in comparison to horse antithymocyte globulin as a first-line treatment in adult patients with severe aplastic anemia: a single-center retrospective study. Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) is the drug of choice for immunosuppressive therapy (IST) in patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) ineligible for allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Recently, rabbit ATG with cyclosporine A has been used as a first-line IST regimen in patients with SAA because of unavailability of horse ATG. We retrospectively analyzed adult SAA patients who were treated with horse ATG (n=46) or rabbit ATG (n=53) between Feb 2001 and May 2010 to compare hematologic response and survival. Overall response rates at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months were similar in both the horse and ra...
Pharmacokinetics of ganciclovir and valganciclovir in the adult horse. Equine herpes myeloencephalopathy, resulting from equine herpes virus type 1 (EHV-1) infection, is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in the horse. As compared to other antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir, ganciclovir has enhanced potency against EHV-1. This study investigated the pharmacokinetics of ganciclovir and its oral prodrug, valganciclovir, in six adult horses in a randomized cross-over design. Ganciclovir sodium was administered intravenously as a slow bolus at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg, and valganciclovir was administered orally at a dose of 1800 mg per horse. Intravenousl...
Serum biochemical reference intervals for the Polish Konik horse (Equus cabalus gmelini Ant.). Establishment of reference intervals (RI) for serum biochemical analytes is important for monitoring the health of different breeds of horses. Objective: The aim of this study was to measure and report RI for serum biochemical analytes of the Polish Konik horse. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 74 clinically healthy Polish Konik horses living under controlled natural conditions. These were adult primitive horses, aged 3-15 years, including 28 males (21 stallions, 7 geldings) and 46 mares. Serum analytes were measured and analyzed using a commercial automated analyzer. Results: The fo...
Development of an in vitro model of injury-induced osteoarthritis in cartilage explants from adult horses through application of single-impact compressive overload. To develop an in vitro model of cartilage injury in full-thickness equine cartilage specimens that can be used to simulate in vivo disease and evaluate treatment efficacy. Methods: 15 full-thickness cartilage explants from the trochlear ridges of the distal aspect of the femur from each of 6 adult horses that had died from reasons unrelated to the musculoskeletal system. Methods: To simulate injury, cartilage explants were subjected to single-impact uniaxial compression to 50%, 60%, 70%, or 80% strain at a rate of 100% strain/s. Other explants were left uninjured (control specimens). All speci...
Abdominal abscesses in adult horses: 61 cases (1993-2008). To determine clinical signs, diagnostic methods, treatment, and outcome for a series of adult horses with abdominal abscesses. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 61 adult horses. Methods: Medical records of adult horses with abdominal abscesses treated at Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (1993 to 2008) were reviewed. Information was recorded regarding signalment, history, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and short- and long-term outcomes. Risk factors for survival were determined. Results: 61 horses met the criteria for inclusion. Clinical signs included colic ...
Investigation of a progressive facial deformity and stridor in an adult horse with a bone sequestrum and subsequent sinonasal abscess. Advanced diagnostic imaging and histopathological investigation were performed in an adult horse with chronic facial swelling due to a bone sequestrum and abscessation. In contrast to other cases, there were no draining tracts, difficulty eating, weight loss, head shaking, or fistula formation between the oral cavity and the maxillary sinus. Une investigation d’imagerie diagnostique avancée et un examen histopathologique ont été réalisés chez un cheval adulte présentant de l’enflure faciale chronique attribuable à un séquestre osseux et à une abcédation. Par contraste à d’aut...
