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Topic:Age Factors
Age factors in horses encompass a range of physiological and developmental changes that occur as horses mature from foals to adults and eventually into their senior years. These factors include variations in metabolic rate, immune function, and musculoskeletal development, which can influence a horse's health, performance, and nutritional needs. Age-related changes can also affect how horses respond to medications, recover from injuries, and maintain overall vitality. Researchers study these aspects to understand better how age impacts equine health and management. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the effects of age on equine physiology, health management, and disease susceptibility.
Helical sub-structures in energy-storing tendons provide a possible mechanism for efficient energy storage and return. The predominant function of tendons is to position the limb during locomotion. Specific tendons also act as energy stores. Energy-storing (ES) tendons are prone to injury, the incidence of which increases with age. This is likely related to their function; ES tendons are exposed to higher strains and require a greater ability to recoil than positional tendons. The specialized properties of ES tendons are thought to be achieved through structural and compositional differences. However, little is known about structure-function relationships in tendons. This study uses fascicles from the equine s...
Influence of semen collection on salivary cortisol release, heart rate, and heart rate variability in stallions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress response of stallions (n = 16) aged 3-13 years with previous sexual experience to semen collection by determination of heart rate, heart rate variability, and cortisol in saliva. Recordings were done on two consecutive days. The time intervals from leaving the box until arrival in the collection barn and from first exposure to the teaser mare until ejaculation as well as the number of mounts until ejaculation were neither affected by collection day nor by age, sexual experience (i.e., the number of breeding seasons the stallion experienced), or ...
Age and gender related changes in hematological parameters of thoroughbred foals. Hematological and biochemical profiles commonly are required in equine medicine. We studied hematological parameters including red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (PCV), differential leukocyte counts, mean cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in thoroughbred foals at different ages and for both sexes. Sixty healthy thoroughbred foals, 1 day, 3 days and 1 year old were used. Each age group consisted of 10 male and 10 female animals. We found significant differences related to age in RBC...
Evolution of radiological findings detected in the limbs of 321 young horses between the ages of 6 and 18 months. The objective of this study was to evaluate the spontaneous evolution of radiological findings (RF) indicative of juvenile osteochondral conditions (JOCC) in a field study. A radiographic survey was performed at the age of 6 and 18months in 321 young horses from three breeds (French Trotter Standardbred, Selle-Français Warmblood and Thoroughbred). Each RF identified at 6months was re-evaluated at 18months, and classified as (1) disappeared, (2) improved, (3) stable, (4) deteriorated or (5) new when it was not identified at 6months. Only 32.3% of all RF identified at the age of 6months were st...
Hierarchical model for evaluating pyrantel efficacy against strongyle parasites in horses. Anthelmintic resistance is an increasing challenge for the control of equine parasites. The fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) is the practical gold standard method for evaluating reduction in anthelmintic efficacy, but the interpretation is complicated due to high levels of variability. A hierarchical statistical model was described for analysis of FECRT data from multiple farms to evaluate the role of biological factors in determining the strongyle efficacy of pyrantel pamoate in a study performed in Denmark. The model was then used to describe two notions of farm efficacy, namely condit...
Epistaxis in racehorses: risk factors and effects on career. To profile Thoroughbreds that incurred a ban under Australian Rule of Racing 53A on New South Wales racetracks between August 1999 and July 2008, determine the effect on their careers and identify the factors that predict whether these horses would race again or experience a recurrence of epistaxis. Methods: Differences between horses that did or did not return to racing and did or did not suffer recurrent epistaxis were determined. Backwards stepwise logistic regression was used to identify variables predicting a return to racing and recurrence of epistaxis. Results: The mean (± SD) age at t...
Cytochemistry of peripheral blood leukocytes in thoroughbred foals. We attempted to characterize the cytochemical staining patterns of leukocytes and to determine the percentages of alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) and acid phosphatase (ACPase) positive lymphocytes in peripheral blood of thoroughbred foals at different ages. Blood samples were obtained from the jugular veins of 60 healthy thoroughbred foals, 1 day, 3 days and 1 year old. Each age group included 10 male and 10 female animals. Peroxidase (PO) activity was detected in neutrophils, eosinophils and monocytes. Lymphocytes were negative for PO staining. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining was o...
Factors affecting live foal rates of Thoroughbred mares that undergo manual twin elimination. Mares diagnosed with twin vesicles at 13-17 days after ovulation commonly have one of 2 vesicles manually reduced. It is not known whether vesicle location (adjacent vs. nonadjacent), mare age, mare reproductive status, parity, month of breeding or mare plasma progesterone concentration affects live foal rates. Objective: To determine factors associated with a positive outcome (live foal) in mares undergoing manual twin reduction between 13 and 17 days post ovulation when performed by a single operator. Methods: Retrospective case-control study. Methods: Breeding records and the Jockey Club re...
Risk factors associated with nasopharyngeal cicatrix syndrome in horses. To determine risk factors associated with the development of nasopharyngeal cicatrix syndrome (NCS) in horses. Methods: Retrospective case-control study. Methods: 242 horses referred for endoscopic evaluation of the upper portion of the respiratory tract (121 horses with NCS and 121 control horses). Methods: Medical records of horses that had an endoscopic evaluation of the upper airway performed between January 2003 and December 2008 were reviewed. Signalment, housing management, and season of evaluation were recorded and reviewed for each horse. The associations between clinical signs and en...
Change of antibody levels to ferritin in the sera of foals after birth: possible passive transfer of maternal anti-ferritin autoantibody via colostrum and age-related anti-ferritin autoantibody production. Antibody (immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM or IgA) levels relative to ferritin in six foal sera (three male and three female) after birth (day 0 and 2, 6, 10, 20, 28, 36, 40, 52 and 56 weeks of age) were semi-quantitatively measured with normalization with antibody activity to ferritin in one adult horse serum. After addition of horse spleen ferritin to the serum sample, the complex formed between antibodies to ferritin in the serum and ferritin was co-immunoprecipitated using antibody to horse spleen ferritin. Antibody classes of the co-immnoprecipitate were detected with antibodies specific for h...
Development of osteochondrosis in Lusitano foals: a radiographic study. This study aimed to detect, by radiographic examination, the evolution of osteochondral lesions in the tarsocrural and femoropatellar joints of Lusitano foals. Within 1 month of age, 76.08% of foals had radiographic signs of osteochondrosis, but only 16.20% had lesions at 18 months. The radiographic signs resolved by 5 mo of age in most foals, but some cases that involved either joint, were not resolved until 12 mo of age. It is thought that the "age of no return" is 5 mo for the tarsocrural and 8 mo for the femoropatellar joint but this study demonstrated regression of osteochondral lesions i...
Effect of breed, sex, age and body weight on echocardiographic measurements in the equine species. Little is known about the effect of various animal's signalment variables on echocardiographic reference values in the equine species. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of sex, breed, age and body weight (BW) on echocardiographic measurements in the equine species. Echocardiography was performed on 212 ponies or horses of various breeds, aged from 1 day to 37 years old (mean±SD: 7.8 ± 5.8 years), BW 38-890 kg (mean ± SD: 421 ± 133 kg), and free of cardiac disease. Fifty of those animals aged from 2 months to 35 years old (mean ± SD: 11.6 ± 6.4 years old); BW 77-662 kg (mean...
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...
Retrospective and statistical analysis of breeding management on the Italian Heavy Draught Horse breed. This study investigated some aspects of breeding management in the Italian Heavy Draught Horse breed, aiming at improving its efficiency at stud farm level. A first aim was to evaluate the risk of unsuccessful reproduction in mares after an early (3 years) or normal (4 years) age at first foaling, in interaction with different stud rearing systems. A second objective was the examination of the mean time length in which young 2-year-old stallions maintain a genetic superiority on older proven stallions, identifying a 'genetic lifespan' in which young stallions can be safely used for reducing th...
Morphometric analyses of the body and the branches of the normal third interosseous muscle (suspensory ligament) in Standardbreds. The third interosseous muscle (suspensory ligament, TIOM) is composed of connective tissue (CT) with a variable proportion of muscle (MT) and adipose tissue (AT). The aim of our study is to quantify the CT, MT and AT within the body and the branches of right thoracic and pelvic limbs TIOM in sound horses to determine whether there are differences in CT, MT and AT between age, sex, limbs and levels. Right limbs from 11 sound horses were collected. Samples from 6 levels of the TIOM were embedded in paraffin or in Tissue-Tek(®) . Most of the paraffin sections were shredded. Using the cryosection...
Attitude of Brazilian veterinarians in the recognition and treatment of pain in horses and cattle. The objective of this study was to assess the use of analgesics, describe the attitudes of Brazilian veterinarians towards pain relief in horses and cattle and evaluate the differences due to gender, year of graduation and type of practice. Methods: Prospective survey. Methods: Questionnaires were sent to 1000 large animal veterinarians by mail, internet and delivered in person during national meetings. The survey investigated the attitudes of Brazilian veterinarians to the recognition and treatment of pain in large animals and consisted of sections asking about demographic data, use of analge...
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...
Acquired equine polyneuropathy in Norway and Sweden: a clinical and epidemiological study. Acquired equine polyneuropathy (AEP, also known as 'Scandinavian knuckling syndrome'), is a serious disease of unknown aetiology, which emerged clustering in horse farms in Sweden, Norway and Finland in the 1990s. Clinical and epidemiological data regarding the syndrome are scarce. Objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiological findings and outcome in outbreaks of AEP and compare risk factors in affected and unaffected horses on affected farms in Norway and Sweden during 2007-2009. Methods: Neurological examinations were performed and data collected regarding demography, usage, turnin...
Incidence, management, and outcome of complications of castration in equids: 324 cases (1998-2008). To determine the incidence of complications and identify risk factors associated with development of complications following routine castration of equids. Methods: Retrospective case series. Animals-311 horses, 10 mules, and 3 donkeys. Methods: Medical records of equids undergoing routine castration were reviewed. Age, breed, surgical techniques (closed vs semiclosed castration and use of ligatures), anesthesia method (general IV anesthesia vs standing sedation with local anesthesia) and repeated administration of IV anesthetic agents, administration of antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory dru...
Effect of age and prostheses location on rima glottidis area in equine cadaveric larynges. To determine the effect of horse age and laryngeal prosthesis location on rima glottidis area in cadaveric larynges. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Cadaveric equine larynges (n = 40). Methods: Specimens were grouped by age: group 1, ≤5 years (n = 18); group 2, >5 to ≤10 years (n = 12); group 3, >10 years (n = 10). A cranial prosthesis was placed through the dorsal cricoid spine at 70% of the distance of the total cricoid length measured from the caudal rim. A dorsal prosthesis was placed through the caudal rim of the cricoid on the dorsal midline. A lateral prosthesis was plac...
Ex vivo comparison of 7 polydioxanone, 2 polyglactin 910 for closure of ventral median celiotomy in horses. To compare bursting strength and failure mode between ventral median celiotomies closed with USP 7 braided polydioxanone (7PD) or USP 2 polyglactin 910 (2PG). Methods: Ex vivo experimental. Methods: Equine cadavers (n = 10). Methods: A 25 cm ventral median celiotomy was created in fresh equine cadavers. A 200 L polyurethane bladder was inserted into the abdomen. Celiotomies were closed in a simple continuous pattern with 2 sections of 7PD or 2PG. The bladder was inflated with compressed air until construct failure. The horses' signalment, body weight, suture type, failure mode (suture or abdom...
Equine alopecia areata: a retrospective clinical descriptive study at the University of California, Davis (1980-2011). Alopecia areata (AA) causes hair loss due to inflammatory changes within and around hair bulbs and lower portions of the hair follicles. Documentation of AA in horses is limited to a few case reports. Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to characterize equine AA by describing patterns in age, sex, breed and lesion distribution in a series of cases. An attempt was made to characterize the long-term course of the disease by surveying owners of affected horses. Methods: Computerized records from 1 January 1980 to 1 July 2011 yielded 15 horses. Methods: Descriptive statistics were c...
Ex vivo comparison of bursting strength of ventral median and right ventral paramedian celiotomies in horses. To compare bursting strength and failure mode between ventral median (VM) and right ventral paramedian (RVP) celiotomies closed with 1 section of USP 7 braided polydioxanone (7PD). Methods: Ex vivo experimental. Methods: Equine cadavers (n = 12). Methods: A 25 cm VM or RVP (positioned 5 cm lateral to the linea alba) celiotomy was created in fresh equine cadavers. A 200 L polyurethane bladder was inserted into the abdomen. Celiotomies were closed in a simple continuous pattern with 1 section of 7PD. The bladder was inflated with compressed air until construct failure. Horse signalment, body wei...
Horse-, training- and race-level risk factors for palmar/plantar osteochondral disease in the racing Thoroughbred. Palmar/plantar osteochondral disease (POD) is a common, debilitating condition in Thoroughbred racehorses; however, training- and racing-related factors associated with this disease are unknown. Objective: To determine horse-, racing- and training-related risk factors for POD. The general hypotheses were that early training and racing, and increased intensity of racing and training, lead to increased severity of POD. Methods: The metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joints of 164 Thoroughbred racehorses were examined at post mortem and graded for third metacarpal and metatarsal POD. The relationships...
Effects of the breed, sex and age on cellular content and growth factor release from equine pure-platelet rich plasma and pure-platelet rich gel. There is no information on the effects of the breed, gender and age on the cellular content and growth factor (GF) release from equine pure-platelet rich plasma (P-PRP) and pure-platelet rich gel (P-PRG). The objectives of this study were: 1) to compare the cellular composition of P-PRP with whole blood and platelet poor plasma (PPP); 2) to compare the concentration of transforming GF beta 1 (TGF-β1) and platelet derived GF isoform BB (PDGF-BB) between P-PRP treated with non-ionic detergent (P-PRP+NID), P-PRG (activated with calcium gluconate -CG-), PPP+NID, PPP gel (PPG), and plasma and; 3) ...
Biochemical markers of bone turnover during pregnancy in horses: a longitudinal study. The effect of pregnancy on bone metabolism was investigated in healthy mares. Venous blood samples were collected 7 times from 19 multiparous mares starting at 20-weeks pre-parturition, continuing 6 times in 4-week intervals, including the week of parturition and one week after parturition. Serum concentrations of osteocalcin (OC) and carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I) were determined. Measurement cycles and age had a significant (p < 0.01) influence on OC and CTX-I values. Pregnancy influenced bone metabolism with peak bone formation and resorption values...
Bacterial carbohydrate-degrading capacity in foal faeces: changes from birth to pre-weaning and the impact of maternal supplementation with fermented feed products. The present study aimed at (1) describing age-related changes in faecal bacterial functional groups involved in carbohydrate degradation and in their activities in foals (n 10) from birth (day (d) 0) to 6 months (d180) and (2) investigating the effect of maternal supplementation (five mares per treatment) from d - 45 to d60 with fermented feed products on response trends over time of the foal bacterial carbohydratedegrading capacity. Maternal supplementation with fermented feed products stimulated foal growth from d0 to d60 and had an impact on the establishment of some digestive bacterial gro...
Detection of equid herpesviruses 2 and 5 in a herd of 266 Lipizzaners in association with ocular findings. A herd of Lipizzaners (n=266) in three locations [Federal stud Piber (Styria), Heldenberg (Lower Austria) and the Spanish Riding School Vienna (Vienna)] were examined for ocular diseases and tested for herpesviruses (HVs) in PBMCs, nasal- and conjunctival swabs. In 167 (62.8%) horses equid herpesvirus-2 (EHV-2) nucleic acid was identified in at least one of the investigated samples, and 136 (51.1%) horses were positive for equid herpesvirus-5 (EHV-5) nucleic acid in at least one of the samples. One hundred and five (39.5%) of the horses mentioned above were identified with EHV-2/EHV-5 double i...
Helminth egg excretion with regard to age, gender and management practices on UK Thoroughbred studs. Few studies have described the combined effect of age, gender, management and control programmes on helminth prevalence and egg shedding in grazing equines. Here, fecal samples collected from 1221 Thoroughbred horses, residing at 22 studs in the UK, were analysed. The distribution of strongyle eggs amongst individuals in relation to age, gender and management practices was investigated. Fecal worm egg counts (FWECs), described as the number of eggs per gramme (epg) of feces, were determined using a modification of the salt flotation method. The FWEC prevalence (mean%) of strongyles, Parascaris...
[Causes, injuries, therapy and possibilities of prevention of equine-related accidents. Results of a 2-center-study]. Horse riding is associated with a high rate of injuries. The possibilities of prevention are limited because of deficient knowledge about the causes and mechanisms of equine-related accidents. In the present study 198 equine-related accidents were analyzed and based on these data risk groups were identified and guidelines to improve safety in horse riding were formulated. Methods: In this 2-center study the accidents of 169 riders over a period of 12 months were analyzed. Data on equine-related patterns of injury and the resulting treatment were collated from the clinical records. Additionally...
