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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.
Age-related and non-age-related changes in 100 surveyed horse brains. Brains from 100 horses, aged 2-25 years, were systematically examined by histopathology at 46 different neuroanatomical sites. The horses were sourced from a slaughterhouse (group A, n = 57), from a kennel that collected dead animals, and from 2 diagnostic laboratories (group B, n = 43). All horses from group A and 26 horses from group B were examined by a veterinarian in the period before death. None of the horses were known to exhibit clinical signs suggestive of neurologic disease. Among the main changes identified were vacuolation in the neuropil (n = 73), neurons (n = 32), white matter (n...
Serum lipid and lipoprotein parameters of Turkman horses. Lipid transport systems in animals have been evaluated both as experimental models for lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in humans and to gain insight into the lipid metabolism of specific breeds. The Turkman horse is a pure-blooded horse that lives on the margins of the Caspian Basin; information about serum lipids and lipoproteins in this breed is lacking. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in clinically healthy Turkman horses. Methods: Concentrations of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol...
Prevalence of serum neutralising antibody to equine rhinitis A virus (ERAV), equine rhinitis B virus 1 (ERBV1) and ERBV2. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of serum neutralising (SN) antibody to ERAV, ERBV1 and ERBV2 in a population of horses from birth to 22 years of age. The prevalences of ERAV, ERBV1 and ERBV2 SN antibodies in 381 sera obtained from 291 horses were 37%, 83% and 66%, respectively. ERAV, ERBV1 and ERBV2 maternal antibody was present in foals 12 h postsuckling but by 10-12 months, ERAV SN antibody was not detected in any of the horses, while ERBV1 and ERBV2 SN antibodies were common (83% and 100%, respectively). Sera were obtained from 44 Thoroughbred horses when they wer...
Evaluation of the combined dexamethasone suppression/ thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test for detection of pars intermedia pituitary adenomas in horses. A combined dexamethasone (DEX) suppression/thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) test (DEX/TRH test) has been developed to evaluate horses for presence of a pars intermedia pituitary adenoma (PIPA), but to the authors' knowledge, the accuracy of this test has not been previously determined. Objective: The sensitivity and specificity of the DEX/TRH test can be determined by comparing test results with histopathologic examination findings. Methods: Age of 42 horses of various breeds ranged from 2 to 33 years. Methods: Plasma cortisol concentration was measured before and 24 hours after IV administ...
Clinical features and outcomes of phacoemulsification in 39 horses: a retrospective study (1993-2003). To identify visual outcome and postoperative complications following phacoemulsification of equine cataracts. Methods: Records of 39 horses (55 eyes) with cataracts were reviewed. Methods: Eyes with cataracts removed by phacoemulsification were included in the study. Data collected included age, breed, sex, stage and etiology of cataract, unilateral vs. bilateral involvement, and ultrasound findings. Horses were grouped by etiology of the cataract. Visual outcome and complications were evaluated for each group and the overall population. Results: Immediately postoperatively 46 out of 47 eyes (...
Association between costly veterinary-care events and 5-year survival of Swedish insured warmblooded riding horses. Our objective was to estimate the 5-year survival to death in insured warmblooded riding horses (as reflected by a life-insurance claim) in horses with or without at least one costly veterinary-care event (VCE) in 1997. We also determined the impacts of gender, age, previous diagnosis of veterinary claim, geographic variables, cost for veterinary claims and life-insurance value upon the survival. The design was a retrospective cohort study using a population of warmblooded riding horses insured in a Swedish animal-insurance company (Agria Insurance, P.O. 70306, SE-107 23 Stockholm, Sweden) in ...
The prevalence of laryngeal disease in a large population of competition draft horses. (1) To determine the effect of age, height, weight, breed, sex, and specific use on the prevalence of idiopathic left laryngeal hemiplegia (ILH) in a population of draft performance horses; (2) to determine the association between tracheal mucus and laryngeal dysfunction, and the prevalence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in a population of draft performance horses. Methods: Cross-sectional. Methods: Draft horses competing at the 2005 Michigan Great Lakes Draft Horse Show. Methods: Endoscopic examinations were performed on horses competing at the 2005 Michigan Great Lakes Draft...
The use of a random regression model to account for change in racing speed of German trotters with increasing age. In a genetic analysis of German trotters, the performance trait racing time per km was analysed by using a random regression model on six different age classes (2-, 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-year-old and older trotters; the age class of 3-year-old trotters was additionally divided by birth months of horses into two seasons). The best-fitting random regression model for the trait racing time per km on six age classes included as fixed effects sex, race track, condition of race track (fitted as second-order polynomial on age), distance of race and each driver (fitted as first-order polynomial on age) as ...
Nitrite and nitrotyrosine concentrations in articular cartilage, subchondral bone, and trabecular bone of normal juvenile, normal adult, and osteoarthritic adult equine metacarpophalangeal joints. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic debilitating joint disorder in which the importance of inflammation is increasingly recognized. In advanced cases, both the articular cartilage and the underlying bony layers are affected, but the exact sequence of events and their localization in the initial phase of pathogenesis remain uncertain. We measured nitric oxide (NO) end products in tissue layers that constitute the bearing surface of the joint, as possible indicators of physiological and pathological processes. Methods: Nitrite as a measure for NO and nitrotyrosine was measured in articular cartilag...
Temporomandibular joint cytokine profiles in the horse. It has been suggested that dental abnormalities lead to temporomandibular joint inflammation and pain that may be mitigated by regular dental care. There is considerable literature on the pathophysiology of equine joint disease including studies on cytokine profiles in diseased appendicular joints. This study examined the effects of age and dental malocclusions summarized as a dental pathology score on equine temporomandibular joint cytokine (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNF alpha and TGF-beta1, -beta2, -beta3) concentrations. TGF-beta3 was not detected in any joint sample. IL-1, IL-6 and TNF alpha were ...
Airway inflammation in Michigan pleasure horses: prevalence and risk factors. Although subclinical airway inflammation is thought to be common in horses, there is little information on its prevalence and none on risk factors. Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for an increased number of inflammatory cells and for mucus accumulation in the trachea of pleasure horses. Methods: Horses (n = 266) in stables (n = 21) in Michigan were examined endoscopically, once in winter and once in summer 2004. Visible tracheal mucoid secretions were graded 0-5 and inflammatory cell numbers counted in a tracheal lavage sample. Information collected about each horse inc...
Onset of puberty and duration of seasonal cyclicity in Lipizzan fillies. The onset of puberty and duration of seasonal cyclicity in Lipizzan fillies and young mares have been determined mostly by empirical data, but very little is known about the hormonal changes at puberty and during the seasonal cyclicity in this breed. Objective: To determine the onset of puberty and the course of the cyclicity in young Lipizzan mares from age 1-4 years. Methods: Blood samples were collected twice a month for 2 years from 46 Lipizzan fillies age 1-4 years. Progesterone concentrations, indicating ovarian activity, were measured using an EIA kit. Values above 6.4 nmol/l were taken...
[Influence of animal breeding manner on the occurence of internal parasites]. On the turn of July and August the prevalence and intensity of internal parasites of cattle, deer, and primitive Polish horses were estimated. It was determined, that all groups of animals were infected with parasites. The prevalence and intensity of infection were diversified and depended on the animal species, breed, age, and even sex. For instance, dairy cows of lowland black-and-white breed were six times stronger infected than Polish red breed, despite using the same pasture and the same cowshed. Nematodes and coccidia were present in calves using small, frequently wet, calf-runs and at h...
Cartilage-derived biomarkers and lipid mediators of inflammation in horses with osteochondritis dissecans of the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia. To assess whether reported alterations in metabolism of cartilage matrix in young (0 to 24 months old) horses with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) may also be found in older (24 to 48 months old) horses with clinical signs of OCD and to investigate the role of eicosanoids in initiating these clinical signs. Methods: Synovial fluid was collected from 38 tarsocrural joints of 24 warmblood horses with (22 joints of 16 horses) or without (16 joints of 8 horses) clinical signs and a radiographic diagnosis of OCD of the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia. Methods: Turnover of type II collagen wa...
Age-related expression of molecular regulators of hypertrophy and maturation in articular cartilage. The purpose of this study was to determine changes in the expression of regulatory molecules in normal equine articular cartilage throughout development up to 18 months of age. The hypothesis was that expression of these regulatory molecules would decrease from birth to postpubescence. Cartilage was harvested from normal femoropatellar or scapulohumeral joints from 34 fresh horse cadavers. Horses were placed in four age groups [prenatal (n = 5); prepubertal, 0-6 months (n = 11); pubertal, 7-14 months (n = 13); and postpubertal, 15-18 months (n = 5)]. Indian hedgehog (Ihh), Gli1, Gli3, Patched1...
Equine herpesvirus type 1-associated myeloencephalopathy in The Netherlands: a four-year retrospective study (1999-2003). Equine herpesvirus type 1(EHV-1)-associated myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is a rare disease affecting the central nervous system and, in particular, the spinal cord of horses. Epidemiologic data are limited, and usually are restricted to the description of a single outbreak. During an observational period of 4 years, we evaluated 9 outbreaks of EHM in The Netherlands. A risk factor analysis was done on the data from 6 outbreaks. Findings were: regular appearance of EHM outbreaks in The Netherlands (2-3/y); strong association of EHM with season; and risk factors, such as breed, sex, age, and fever....
Equine frozen semen: freezability and fertility field results. The freezability of stallion semen defined as the number of selected ejaculates/total number of ejaculates frozen from 161 different stallions was analyzed. Of the stallions, 19, 30, 27 and 24% had a freezability of 0%, 0 to 33%, 33 to 66%, over 66%, respectively In 85 different stallions, the correlation of freezability between first and second year was 0.60 (P < 0.001). The relationship between fertility with fresh and frozen semen and freezability was analyzed in 40 stallions whose freezability and fertility information was recorded during 5 years. There was a strong relationship between...
Social relationships in a herd of Sorraia horses Part I. Correlates of social dominance and contexts of aggression. Factors related to dominance rank and the functions of aggression were studied in a herd of Sorraia horses, Equus caballus, under extensive management. Subjects were 10 adult mares 5-18 years old and a stallion introduced into the group for breeding. Dominance relationships among mares were clear, irrespective of rank difference, and remained stable after introduction of the stallion. The dominance hierarchy was significantly linear and rank was positively correlated with age and total aggressiveness. Higher-ranking mares received lower frequency and intensity of agonistic interactions. Nevert...
Prevalence of gastric ulceration in Swedish Standardbreds in race training. There is little information about the prevalence of gastric ulcers in Standardbred trotters and potential correlations between ulcers and various traits, e.g. age, sex, performance, temperament and feeding regimens, need further elucidation. Objective: The prevalence of ulcers in the gastric squamous mucosa of Swedish Standardbreds was estimated and the associations between ulcer score and age, sex, performance, temperament and feeding regimens were determined. Methods: Eighty Swedish Standardbreds in active race training, trained by 9 different trainers, underwent gastroscopy. Information on ...
[The influence of the socio-economic structure of the breeding farms of Franches-Montagnes horses on the conditions of husbandry]. The socio-economic structure of the breeding farms of Franches-Montagnes horses (FM) in Switzerland is evaluated on the basis of an investigation carried out in 2002 by the Swiss FM breeding federation. Questionnaires were sent to 3500 of its members and the results include data from 968 breeding enterprises, housing a total of 3965 FM. The quality of the husbandry of FM varies according to factors such as the altitude and the geographical situation of the farms and studs. Socio-economic parameters, such as the role of FM in the business, their use (breeding, driving, riding) and the age and l...
Ubiquitin expression in muscle from horses with polysaccharide storage myopathy. Serial sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded muscle biopsy specimens from 28 Quarter Horse, Paint, and draft-related breeds, aged 0.5-23 years, were treated with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain for glycogen and were immunostained to detect ubiquitin expression. On the basis of findings in PAS-stained sections, a diagnosis of equine polysaccharide storage myopathy (EPSSM) was made in 22 horses aged 2-23 years (mean, 9.4 years); samples from 6 horses aged 0.5-15 years (mean, 7.3 years) had a normal PAS staining pattern, with no relevant lesions. Ubiquitin expression was detected in all ...
The comparative pathology of Clostridium difficile-associated disease. Clostridium difficile is a confirmed pathogen in a wide variety of mammals, but the incidence of disease varies greatly in relation to host species, age, environmental density of spores, administration of antibiotics, and possibly, other factors. Lesions vary as well, in severity and distribution within individuals, and in some instances, age groups, of a given species. The cecum and colon are principally affected in most species, but foals and rabbits develop severe jejunal lesions. Explanations for variable susceptibility of species, and age groups within a species, are largely speculative. ...
[Fat and content of yakutan horse fat tissue]. The gas chromatography method the fat acid content of the young Yakut horse meat fat tissue lipids was studied in relation to the age group, various parts of the body and anatomic topographic location of the fat/It was determined that the of sixth-month young horse is the source of the PUFA omega-3 that allows to recommend horse meat as a dietary product for atherosclerosis prevention. By medial chain fat content the lipids of the 6 month young horses are close to the lipids of milk fat.
Management factors affecting stereotypies and body condition score in nonracing horses in Prince Edward Island. In North America, there are few representative data about the effects of management practices on equine welfare. In a randomized survey of 312 nonracing horses in Prince Edward Island (response rate 68.4%), owners completed a pretested questionnaire and a veterinarian examined each horse. Regression analyses identified factors affecting 2 welfare markers: body condition score (BCS) and stereotypic behavior. Horses' BCSs were high (mean 5.7, on a 9-point scale) and were associated with sex (males had lower BCSs than females; P < 0.001) and examination date (P = 0.052). Prevalences of crib bi...
Survey of equine cutaneous neoplasia in the Pacific Northwest. A retrospective study examined data regarding equine cutaneous and mucocutaneous neoplasms submitted to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University in a 3.5-year period. A total of 536 neoplasms were identified, accounting for 30% of the total equine pathology submissions. Sarcoid, squamous cell carcinoma, melanocytic tumors, papillomas, and mast cell tumors were the most common neoplasms, constituting 87.5% of all cutaneous neoplasms. Sarcoids represented 51.4% of all neoplasms and 15.18% of total equine accessions. Sarcoid was most common in paints, quarter horses, and Ar...
Mortality of Swedish horses with complete life insurance between 1997 and 2000: variations with sex, age, breed and diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential usefulness of the database maintained by the Swedish insurance company Agria for providing mortality statistics on Swedish horses. Mortality statistics (incidence rates and survival) were calculated, both crudely and stratified by sex, age, breed, breed group and diagnosis, for the horses with complete life insurance, which covers most health problems. The total mortality was 415 (95 per cent confidence interval [CI] 399 to 432) deaths per 10,000 horse-years at risk, and the diagnostic mortality, including only deaths with an assigned diagnos...
A comparison of survival models for assessing risk of racehorse fatality. Survival analysis was used to assess risk factors for fatal injuries on UK race courses. This allowed assessment of variation due to temporal horse-level effects, including previous racing intensity and historical distribution of race types, as well as race-level factors. Comparisons were made between measuring survival time as number of days and as number of races to injury from the first race. Two related models were presented for time as number of races to injury: a Cox regression model fitted using partial likelihood, with the Efron approximation to handling ties, and a discrete-time logit...
Immunolocalization of estrogen and androgen receptors and steroid concentrations in the stallion epididymis. The presence of steroids and their receptors throughout development, specifically androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta), in the epididymis of a high estrogen producing species like the stallion has not been determined. Epididymal and testicular samples were collected for analysis of testosterone and estradiol-17beta (E(2)) concentrations and for immunolocalization of AR, ERalpha and ERbeta. The concentration of testosterone in the testis and epididymis were not different among age groups (P>0.05). AR was localized in the principal cell...
Immunohistochemical identification of lymphatic vessels in the periodontium of equine cheek teeth. Immunohistochemical detection of lymphatic capillaries was performed in the periodontium of maxillary and mandibular cheek teeth from 6 horses (aged 3-23 years). Tissue sections of the periodontium were taken at 4 different horizontal levels along the long axis of the tooth. The specimens were processed for immunoreaction with anti-Prox1, in order to distinguish lymphatic endothelium from blood vascular endothelium. Lymphatic vessels were detected in all periodontal tissues except for the dental cementum. Lymphatic capillaries were most densely distributed in the gingiva compared to other tiss...
A case-control study of factors associated with pelvic and tibial stress fractures in Thoroughbred racehorses in training in the UK. Few epidemiological studies have investigated risk factors for musculoskeletal injury occurring in Thoroughbred racehorses during training, although it is the major cause of wastage in the racing industry. We recently conducted a large-scale epidemiological study to estimate the incidence of fracture in racehorses in training in the UK and to identify associated risk factors. Thirteen racehorse trainers provided data on horses in their care, with daily recording of training information and provision of details on any fractures incurred. Data were collected for 2 years, including two consecutiv...
