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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.
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...
Application of digital pathology to assess the effect of hormone treatment on placental histomorphometry in mares with induced ascending placentitis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of hormonal treatments with altrenogest (ALT) and estradiol cypionate (ECP) on placental histomorphometry in mares with experimentally induced ascending placentitis, using digital pathology as a quantitative tool. Thirty pregnancies from 27 Criollo-type mares were assigned to six groups: healthy controls (n = 5); basic treatment (n = 5), treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TSM), and flunixin meglumine (FM); ALT group (n = 5) + basic treatment; ECP group (n = 5) + basic treatment; ALT + ECP group (n = 5) in addition to basic treat...
Proteomic Profiling and Targeted Validation Reveal a More Extensive Salivary than Serum Response to a Feed-Deprivation Protocol in Horses with Gastric Lesions. Gastric ulceration is common in horses and remains challenging to diagnose, as gastroscopy is the gold standard. This study aimed to characterise the salivary and serum protein changes associated with a feed-deprivation protocol. Eight horses underwent this protocol, and gastric lesions were assessed by gastroscopy at the end of the experimental period. Saliva and blood samples were collected pre- and post-protocol, and pooled samples from each biological fluid and condition were analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to compare protein profiles. Fifteen salivary and five serum protei...
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...
A Retrospective Analysis of Liberal Fluid Therapy and Total Protein Changes in 124 Horses Undergoing Colic Surgery. Perioperative fluid therapy in horses undergoing colic surgery should be individualised to avoid complications associated with both hypo- and hypervolaemia. This retrospective study evaluated the haemodynamic effects of a liberal perioperative fluid therapy approach, focusing on total plasma protein (TPP) changes. Medical records of 124 horses undergoing colic surgery between March 2018 and June 2020 were reviewed. Packed cell volume (PCV) and TPP were assessed preoperatively, after surgery, on postoperative days (POD) 2, 5 and 7, and at long-term follow-up. Horses were stratified according to...
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...
Retrospective Analysis of the Clinical Findings of 114 Horses with Eosinophilic Keratoconjunctivitis. Eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) is an inflammatory eye disease of horses with an unknown cause and suspected immune-mediated pathogenesis. This single-center retrospective case series included 114 horses (163 affected eyes) examined at a German equine referral hospital from January 2012 to December 2020. Of these horses, 71 (62.3%) were Warmbloods, 77 (67.5%) were presented from July to September, and 49 (43.0%) had bilateral disease. The cornea was involved in 139 of 163 eyes (85.3%). During the study period, 114 EKC cases occurred among 5742 ophthalmology cases (2.0%), with an increa...
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...
Warmed intravenous fluid administration attenuated a reduction in body temperature in anaesthetised horses. Peri-anaesthetic hypothermia is a well-documented complication of general anaesthesia and is associated with prolonged recovery, impaired wound healing, and delayed coagulation. Fluid warmers can be used to mitigate heat loss, but there is little evidence supporting their effectiveness in equine anaesthesia. Objective: To determine whether administration of warmed intravenous fluids attenuates heat loss during general anaesthesia in horses. Methods: Prospective, randomised, crossover in vivo experiment. Methods: Six healthy adult horses were anaesthetised twice and administered intravenous flu...
Factors influencing veterinary student interest in equine practice in the United States: A focus group study. The number of new veterinary graduates entering equine practice in the United States continues to decline, and more than half leave the field within 5 years. Understanding the perspectives of veterinary students is critical for developing interventions that promote retention and long-term career satisfaction in equine medicine. Objective: To explore what factors influence veterinary student interest in and commitment to equine practice using the Conservation of Resources (COR) Theory as a guiding framework. Methods: Qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured student focus groups. Me...
Thyroid Diseases. Thyroid hormones in horses fluctuate with factors like time of day, diet, activity, or medications. True hypothyroidism is rare in adults, and other causes for the observed clinical signs, such as equine metabolic syndrome, should be considered. Hyperthyroidism can occur in older horses and is sometimes associated with clinical signs requiring surgical treatment. In neonatal foals, distinct forms of hypothyroidism are associated with dysmaturity and can be life-threatening. While thyroid supplementation can help in managing equine metabolic syndrome, inappropriate use can impair athletic perfo...
Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Dysregulation. Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is defined as a collection of metabolic and clinical features that contribute to the development of hyperinsulinemia-associated laminitis (HAL). Insulin dysregulation (ID) is the hallmark feature of EMS and a risk factor for development of HAL. There are several diagnostic tests that can be used to diagnose various forms of ID in horses and ponies. Treatment of EMS/ID includes providing an appropriate diet, exercise program, and pharmacologic intervention in some severe cases.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Scintigraphy for Detecting Morphological Variation of the Sixth Cervical Vertebral Ventral Lamina in Horses: A Retrospective Study. Morphological variations or transposition of the ventral lamina of the sixth cervical vertebra (C6) are well documented in horses. Radiography remains the primary modality for identifying these osseous variations, whereas scintigraphy provides a functional assessment of bone activity; however, its diagnostic accuracy for this condition has not been established. This retrospective single-center study evaluated the diagnostic performance of scintigraphy compared with radiography for detecting C6/C7 ventral laminar anomalies and determined an optimal C6:C7 uptake ratio cutoff. Thirty-four horses ...
Endocrine Disorders and Their Effect on Equine Reproduction. Continuing the reproductive potential of aged horses is a request many equine practitioners may receive. Reproductive performance may be impacted by a host of age-related comorbidities such as the endocrinopathies, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, and equine metabolic syndrome. While limited information is known, reproductive effects described may include irregular estrous cycles, development of anovulatory follicles, increased incidence of uterine infection, or generalized infertility. Accurate diagnosis, management strategies, and monitoring remain critical for improving quality of lif...
Modified technique for resection of the alar folds to nasal paralysis in a mule: Case report. Equids are obligate nasal breathers. Therefore, conditions that obstruct or impair this respiratory route can compromise animal welfare by causing severe respiratory distress, while also impacting athletic potential. Nasal paralysis results from injury to the facial nerve and its branches and is characterized by the lack of movement of the alar cartilage, leading to nasal collapse. Its occurrence is uncommon in horses and has not been previously reported in mules. This report describes a 9-month-old mule presented with a history of facial trauma and compression caused by a halter. After unsucc...
Five Domains, Multiple Realities: A Multidimensional Analysis of Equine Welfare in Equestrian Events in Brazil. Welfare assessments at traditional equestrian events in Brazil are scarce. This study aimed to systematize and stratify assessments based on the Five Domains (5DMs) model into subdomains (sDMs) for vaquejada and gait events and to adapt them to reflect local conditions and resource availability. Subsequently, the sDMs were classified and scored on a 5-level scale (1 to 5, where 1 = very poor and 5 = excellent), and assessments were conducted at three vaquejada and five gaited horse competitions. Assessments took place during morning, afternoon, and evening periods over two or more days and wer...
Characterization of the Healthy Ocular Mycobiome of Purebred Lusitano Horses Using Oxford Nanopore Long-Read Sequencing. The ocular surface represents a unique microbial ecosystem continuously exposed to environmental microorganisms; however, the fungal component of the healthy equine ocular microbiome remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to characterize the ocular surface mycobiome of 12 clinically healthy Purebred Lusitano horses from three geographical regions in Portugal kept in two housing systems using Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing and conventional fungal culture. Sequencing revealed a highly diverse fungal community with marked inter-individual variability. The most abundant genera were ,...
Correction: Sleep architecture and lying behavior in horses across age groups and two housing systems: an overnight non-invasive EEG study. [This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1898580.].
Use of a caudal intercostal block in horses undergoing surgery for colic. In humans and companion animals, regional anaesthesia is used in multimodal analgesic protocols for abdominal wall surgery. Benefits include earlier patient mobilisation and improved pain scores. Regional anaesthetic techniques for horses undergoing abdominal surgery could provide similar benefits and warrant investigation. Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a caudal intercostal block for abdominal surgery (CIBAS) in horses undergoing surgery for colic. Methods: Blinded, randomised clinical trial. Methods: Horses (n = 22) undergoing exploratory celiotomy for colic were rando...
Correction: Development of an indirect ELISA for the detection of venezuelan equine encephalitis virus specific antibodies in horses. [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0338819.].
Improving sport horse selection using machine learning: Early prediction of elite-level show jumping performance. Early identification of sport potential in show jumping horses remains challenging because competition outcomes vary widely, and elite-level performance develops after considerable time. In this study, we evaluated the applicability of machine learning approaches to competition records from horses identified through FEI participation, complemented by national-level records from Sweden, Belgium and France, with the aim of identifying horses likely to reach elite performance. Performance data from Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) competitions were analysed using an Extreme Gradient Bo...
Mutual wellbeing in an equine-assisted intervention: experimental evidence for the two-way hypothesis and the importance of interaction method. Rising rates of mental health disorders have increased demand for scalable, non-pharmacological interventions. Interactions with animals can improve emotional wellbeing across diverse populations, yet the mechanisms responsible for these benefits remain poorly understood. Most research focuses on human outcomes while treating the animal as a passive component of the interaction, despite human-animal interactions being inherently reciprocal. We therefore propose the Two-Way Hypothesis, which predicts that human behavior shapes animal behavior, which in turn contributes to variation in human emo...
