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Topic:Animal Health
Animal Health encompasses a broad range of topics focused on maintaining and improving the well-being of equine species. This field addresses various aspects of horse care, including disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of health conditions. Key areas of interest include equine nutrition, vaccination protocols, parasite control, dental care, and the management of chronic conditions such as laminitis and colic. Additionally, animal health research in horses investigates the impact of exercise and training on physical health, the role of genetics in disease susceptibility, and the development of new therapeutic approaches. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the latest advancements, challenges, and best practices in preserving and enhancing the health of horses.
Ultrasonography of the spleen, kidneys and bladder in healthy Mangalarga Marchador horses across different life stages. This study is the first breed-specific ultrasonographic reference values for spleen, kidneys, and bladder in Mangalarga Marchador horses from different life stages. Objective: The aim of this study was to establish a normal reference range of measurements of the spleen, kidneys and bladder, as well as to describe the anatomy and sonographic characteristics of these organs in Mangalarga Marchador horses. Methods: Abdominal ultrasound examinations were performed in 88 Mangalarga Marchador horses of both sexes, aged 1, 7 and 15 days, monthly from their 1st to the 11th month of age ando n their 1s...
Antimicrobial stewardship priorities and prescribing in Australian equine practice. Antimicrobial resistance is a global health crisis that needs to be addressed by all areas of human and animal health sectors to safeguard effective antibiotics into the future. Understanding current antimicrobial prescribing patterns and veterinary antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) priorities is crucial for effective stewardship program design and sustainable uptake. Objective: To identify focus areas for stewardship interventions, implementation, resource allocation, and future campaign targets for equine practice. Methods: Cross-sectional study of equine veterinarians in Australia. Methods: A...
Pass rates using the FEI noseband measurement device at British Dressage 2025 Championships. Appropriate fitting of equipment provides horse comfort and avoids compromising equine welfare. In May 2025, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) introduced an evidence-based measuring device that is passed beneath the noseband to ensure sufficient laxity. Objective: To study the use of the FEI noseband device during mandatory tack and equipment checks at British Dressage Championships. Methods: Observational. Methods: Noseband testing was observed for a total of 523 horses competing at the 2025 British Dressage National Championship, Middle Tour Championship and Area Festival Champi...
Melatonin as a daily rhythm control signal for glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion in horses. An involvement of melatonin in the regulation of glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells has been proposed. To evaluate the features of the daily rhythms of plasma melatonin, blood glucose, and insulin in horses, ten clinically healthy Italian Saddle geldings, 9-10 years old with a mean body weight of 490 ± 25 kg, were enrolled. The animals were housed in individual boxes under natural environmental conditions (sunrise 06:10; sunset 18:10; 12-15°C, 77% RH). All horses were cannulated the day before the start of the study for sample collection, which was perfo...
A novel water additive increases voluntary water intake in healthy horses. To determine whether healthy horses would increase their voluntary water intake (VWI) when offered a novel water additive (NWA) compared to plain water (TAP) and water flavored with sweet feed, referred to as sweet tea (ST). Unassigned: 12 clinically healthy horses, aged 2 to 5 years old, were enrolled in the experimental crossover design. Four horses were assigned to each group for each of the 3 study weeks. The order that the horses were allocated to study groups was randomly assigned. All horses had access to 2 buckets filled to 16 L, one containing plain water (untreated bucket) and one co...
Long-term dynamics of gastrointestinal parasite egg shedding in a semi-feral Misaki horse population in Japan. This study investigated long-term gastrointestinal parasite egg shedding in a semi-feral Misaki horse population using 3200 fecal samples collected from 158 individually identified horses during five fiscal years (FY2019-FY2023; April 2019-March 2024). Strongyle-type eggs were detected in 91.7% of samples (2935/3200), with a mean count of 1352 eggs per gram (EPG). Repeated-measures analyses showed marked variation associated with fiscal year, season, age, and management history. Strongyle-type EPG values were generally higher in spring and summer than in autumn and winter, with the month-level...
Impact of a Riding Event and Ambient Temperature on the Heart Rate of Gotlandsruss Ponies. Visitors to zoos present unpredictable visual and auditory stimulation for captive animals. Coupled with high ambient temperatures this might prove stressful for animals involved in human interactions. This study aims to determine if Gotlandsruss ponies are stressed by visitors during a childrens riding event at Slottsskogen, a zoo park, in Gothenburg, Sweden and whether ambient temperature also had an impact. Decibel level, temperature, and the ponies heart rate were monitored during the event. Each pony's maximum rate during exercise and resting heart rate were measured to compare with heart...
Effect of Uncoated Magnetic Nanoparticles on Stallion Sperm Parameters: Influence of Semen Quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of uncoated, non-functionalised magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) on stallion sperm and to determine whether these effects depend on initial semen quality. Ten cooled ejaculates from 3 stallions were exposed to different MNP concentrations ([MNPs] = 0, 5, 25, and 50 mg/mL), agitated, and exposed to an external magnet to recover the unbound sperm fraction. Ejaculates were classified as high- or low-quality groups according to initial evaluation sperm quality index (HSQi and LSQi), and the effect of [MNPs] was evaluated within groups using GLM. ...
Validation of a novel instrumented hoof boot with pressure sensors using force plate gait kinetics in horses at walk and trot. Force plates (FP) are considered the gold standard for quantitative equine gait evaluation but are limited to experimental use. An instrumented hoof boot (IHB) with pressure sensors and an inertial measurement unit would allow clinicians to objectively assess kinetic parameters and gait symmetry. Objective: To validate the IHB by comparing kinetic parameters with obtained FP data. Methods: In vivo experiments. Methods: Twenty-seven horses were measured with IHBs on FPs at walk and trot. Mean value kinetic parameters recorded were: (1) peak vertical force (PVF) [N/kg]/peak vertical pressure (PV...
Equine viral arteritis in horses undergoing pre-export testing in Spain (2016-2023): Seroprevalence estimates and diagnostic performance of a commercial indirect ELISA. Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is a contagious disease that affects equine reproduction and international trade. Despite its importance, epidemiological data from Spain are limited. This study aimed to assess EVA seroprevalence and evaluate the diagnostic performance of a commercial ELISA in horses before export. Methods: From 2016 to 2023, 5000 serum samples from horses across 16 Spanish autonomous communities were tested using a commercial indirect ELISA. Samples with inconclusive results, or those submitted with specific requests, underwent virus neutralisation testing (VNT). Diagnostic perfo...
Multisystemic and cerebral infection associated with Halicephalobus gingivalis in Brazilian Criollo horses. Halicephalosis is a rare cosmopolitan disease affecting equids, cattle, and humans, manifesting as meningoencephalitis. This study reports the detection of Halicephalobus gingivalis infection in two adult horses with neurological clinical signs in Rio Grande do Sul state, in the Southern Brazil. It underscores the pathological main findings and phylogenetic analyses. In both cases, the horses exhibited severe neurological manifestations and were euthanized due to poor prognosis. Pathological findings revealed gross brain lesions, in addition, alterations in the kidneys and lymph nodes. Histopa...
Etiological and immunological aspects of equine hoof canker. Chronic equine proliferative pododermatitis (canker) is a hypertrophic hoof disease characterized by excessive proliferation of horn-producing tissues resulting from dyskeratosis of keratinocytes. Since its etiology remains unknown, this study investigated potential etiological agents and evaluated biochemical and immunological profiles. Ten horses with hoof canker and ten healthy controls of the Norik of Muran breed were included. Dermatophytes and bovine papillomavirus 1 and 2 (BPV 1/2) were not detected. Candida glabrata was the most frequently identified species in both affected and health...
Effect of erythromycin and colistin ophthalmic ointment on post-race keratitis in Thoroughbred racehorses. This study investigated the prophylactic efficacy of administering an ophthalmic ointment containing erythromycin and colistin (EC ointment) after racing to prevent post-race keratitis in Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: The incidence of post-race keratitis following turf and dirt races was compared between treatment groups (non-ointment group: eye flushing only; ointment group: eye flushing and application of EC ointment) and between two randomly assigned groups (non-antimicrobial group: application of ophthalmic white petrolatum; antimicrobial group: application of EC ointment). Results: Af...
Characterisation of microbial metabolite profiles across the gastrointestinal tract of horses fed on pasture, hay or oat-supplemented rations. Dietary composition substantially influences the intensity and site of microbial metabolite production in the gastrointestinal tract. These metabolites have numerous beneficial effects on equine health, but may also be involved in the development of gastrointestinal disorders. It remains unclear whether different feeding strategies, including starch supplementation, can alter microbial metabolite profiles along the gastrointestinal tract. This study aimed to compare the metabolite profiles of the microbial communities in the gastrointestinal tract of horses fed on pasture 24 h/day (PST; n =...
Cooperative Care in Zoo, Livestock, and Companion Animals and Positive Reinforcement in Horses: A Scoping Literature Review. Cooperative care, training an animal to voluntarily participate in care procedures using positive reinforcement, may improve welfare and lower stress in horses. This scoping literature review synthesizes two bodies of research to analyze existing scientific evidence on cooperative care and explore its potential application for horses. Two literature searches were conducted in ScienceDirect, CABI Digital Library, PubMed, and Google Scholar using predefined search terms and eligibility criteria. Publications were reviewed against two sets of inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 1,518 rec...
First documented cases of equine leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis in France. In this study, we describe the first documented cases of equine cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis in France and provide clinical and parasitological data relevant for the recognition of this emerging infection in horses. Three horses presenting localized cutaneous lesions were diagnosed with L. martiniquensis infection in different regions of France without spatial or temporal clustering. Lesions were clinically nonspecific and initially compatible with common equine dermatological conditions, including sarcoid-like tumors. Histopathological examination rev...
Association Between Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) Immunohistochemical Expression and Clinicopathological Features in Equine Melanoma. Equine melanoma is one of the most important oncological diseases in horses and exhibits a distinct biological behavior compared with melanoma in other species. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has been associated with tumor aggressiveness and metastasis in human and canine melanoma, but its expression in equine melanoma remains unknown. Objective: Evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of MMP-9 in equine melanomas and investigate its association with clinicopathological features. Methods: 68 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded equine melanomas from 48 gray horses were evaluated immunohis...
The Impact of Track Incline on Musculoskeletal Injuries in Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Fractures on Flat and Uphill Woodchip Surfaces. While race-day musculoskeletal injuries are well-documented, a considerable gap exists regarding fractures sustained during training, where Thoroughbred racehorses accumulate the majority of their high-speed exercise. In Japan, compliant woodchip tracks are frequently used, and uphill track geometries are a foundational element of conditioning. Objective: To quantify and describe the incidence and anatomical distribution of fractures occurring during training on flat versus uphill woodchip tracks over a 15-year period (2008-2022). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using centr...
Weigh tape more accurately estimates equine body weight than morphometric formula: a controlled technical assessment. Accurate body weight (BW) estimation in horses is essential for clinical and nutritional management; however, calibrated scales are often unavailable under field conditions. Objective: To compare the longitudinal accuracy and consistency of a commercial weigh tape and the Carroll and Huntington morphometric formula against calibrated digital scale measurements in adult horses. Methods: In a prospective longitudinal experimental study, six clinically healthy adult crossbred horses (mean real body weight [Rbw] 355.5 ± 21.2 kg) were monitored weekly for 63 days under controlled management condit...
Inflammatory phenotype and response to intradermal skin testing are not predictive of equine asthma diagnosis. The role of inflammation, allergy, and air quality in the pathogenesis of equine asthma has not yet been fully elucidated. Objective: To evaluate serum inflammatory cytokines, intradermal skin testing (IDT), and air quality in asthmatic horses. It was hypothesized that there would be an association between environmental allergies and poor air quality with asthma. Methods: 52 client-owned horses with clinical signs consistent with asthma were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Horses were diagnosed with asthma based on the results of bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) cytology. Blood samples wer...
Pancreatic α-cell dysfunction associated with equine insulin dysregulation. Insulin dysregulation (ID) in horses is characterised by insulin resistance and exaggerated insulin responses, yet the underlying endocrine mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In humans, α-cell dysfunction characterised by exaggerated glucagon secretion contributes to metabolic disease; however, the role of pancreatic α-cell function in equine ID has not previously been investigated. Objective: To investigate whether horses with moderate to severe ID exhibit α-cell dysfunction, characterised by fasting and postprandial hyperglucagonaemia as well as impaired postprandial glucagon supp...
Phenotypic associations between young horse assessments and orthopaedic diagnoses in insured Swedish Warmblood horses. Lameness is the most common health problem in riding horses, and insurance data have previously been used to investigate the prevalence of orthopaedic diagnoses in Swedish Warmblood (SWB) horses. Young horse performance testing is an important part of the SWB breeding programme and contributes data to the genetic evaluation. Assessed traits from these tests have been shown to be useful indicator traits of performance in show jumping and dressage, but their associations with orthopaedic health have not previously been investigated. Objective: To study the associations between assessed traits fr...
Retrospective investigation of equine parvovirus-hepatitis in Italy. Equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H) has recently been identified as the etiological agent of Theiler's disease, a major cause of acute hepatitis and liver failure in horses. While iatrogenic transmission of EqPV-H is well-documented, the natural horizontal transmission of the virus remains poorly understood. This study provides the first comprehensive epidemiological investigation and molecular characterization of EqPV-H in equine populations across Italy. A total of 1320 archival serum samples from northern and southern Italy were screened for the presence of EqPV-H DNA by qPCR. The overall ...
Effects of constant rate infusion of a fixed-dose combination of medetomidine and vatinoxan on sedation, cardiorespiratory variables, and gastrointestinal activity in standing Thoroughbred horses. A fixed-dose combination of medetomidine (MED) and vatinoxan (VTX), a peripherally selective α2-adrenoceptor antagonist, is commercially available, but its constant rate infusion (CRI) has not been evaluated. Objective: To compare the sedative effects, cardiorespiratory variables, and gastrointestinal activity of MED-VTX and MED-atipamezole (ATIP) with MED alone in Thoroughbred horses. Methods: Six healthy Thoroughbreds underwent a blinded three-treatment, three-period crossover study. Horses received MED (7 μg/kg IV; 5 μg/kg/h CRI for 60 min) alone (gM), with VTX (140 μg/kg IV; 100 μg/kg...
Race-related fatalities in U.S. jump racing, 2023-2025: incidence and documentation across public reporting sources. Fatality reporting in National Steeplechase Association (NSA)-sanctioned U.S. jump racing is distributed across several public sources, and no single source consistently links the race incident with the final clinical outcome. Objective: To identify and verify race-related fatalities associated with NSA-sanctioned jump-racing starts, compare documentation across public sources, and estimate minimum confirmed fatality incidence. Methods: The study population included official starters in completed NSA-sanctioned hurdle/fence and timber races during 2023-2025. Potential fatalities reported by Ho...
Association of submaximal exercise test variables with diagnosis of asthma in a mixed-breed cohort of leisure horses. Submaximal exercise tests (SET) are used to assess respiratory health in various contexts. The diagnostic value of SETs for the assessment of asthma in the field remains uncertain. Objective: A SET helps distinguish healthy horses and asthma phenotypes. Methods: Twenty-six privately owned mixed-breed leisure horses of a clinical cohort. Horses were healthy (8) or diagnosed with mild (miEA) (4), moderate (modEA) (7), or severe asthma (sEA) (7) according to history, clinical examination, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology. Methods: Cross-sectional study using clinical data and samp...
Comparison of blind end closure techniques in equine ileum. To determine the difference in bursting pressure (BP), bursting wall tension (BWT), and closure speed between commonly utilized methods of ileal stump closure. Methods: Randomized experimental study. Methods: A total of 71 ileal segments from 18 healthy horses. Methods: Ileum was collected postmortem from 18 horses and divided into four segments. One end of each segment was closed using one of three techniques: Parker-Kerr (PK), gastrointestinal staples (ST), or gastrointestinal staples with a Lembert staple oversew (SO). Closure time was recorded. Control (C) segments were not altered. Segmen...
Seroprevalence and associated epidemiological drivers of glanders in horses: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2002-2026). Glanders (malleus), a highly contagious zoonotic disease caused by Burkholderia mallei, remains an important transboundary disease of equids despite extensive control efforts in many countries. However, its epidemiological patterns and associated drivers have not been comprehensively synthesized. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of glanders in horses and identify key epidemiological drivers based on studies published up to April 27, 2026. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, ProQu...
Alterations in the gut resistomes of endangered wild equids associated with anthropogenic activities: Insights for One Health surveillance. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are emerging environmental contaminants, but how human-associated management practices are associated with mobile resistomes in endangered wildlife remains poorly resolved. Here, we used fecal metagenomics to compare Przewalski's horses, Mongolian khulans, and domestic horses from Xinjiang, China, including Przewalski's horses from a protected area and a captive-breeding setting under human management. Across 47 fecal metagenomes, we identified 380 ARG subtypes, 23 metal resistance gene (MRG) types, and 26 mobile genetic element (MGE) subtypes. Przewalski's h...
[Determination of 33 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug residues in horse urine by QuEChERS-ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry]. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs （NSAIDs） are often used to treat horses' injuries and pain due to long-term training and competitions. In equestrian competitions， NSAIDs do not affect the upper limit of a horse's athletic ability， but they can enable the horse to perform close to its maximum capacity by reducing inflammation and pain. This not only affects the competition results， but also fails to ensure the health and welfare of the horses. Therefore， it has become crucial to effectively monitor and control NSAIDs residues during equestrian competition. In this study， a r...
