Topic:Animal Science
Animal Science and horses encompass the study of equine biology, physiology, and management practices aimed at understanding and improving horse health, welfare, and performance. This field integrates various scientific disciplines, including genetics, nutrition, reproduction, and behavior, to address the needs of horses in diverse contexts such as sports, work, and companionship. Research in this area often focuses on optimizing feeding strategies, enhancing breeding programs, and developing effective health management protocols. Additionally, studies explore the genetic factors influencing traits such as athleticism and disease resistance, as well as the impact of environmental and management conditions on horse behavior and welfare. This page gathers peer-reviewed research and scholarly articles that investigate the scientific principles underpinning equine science and their practical applications in horse care and management.
Non-invasive scalp recording of electroencephalograms and evoked potentials in unanesthetized horses using a 12-channel active electrode array. Despite the long history of the horse-human bond, our understanding of the brain and mind of horses remains limited due to the lack of methods to investigate their brain functions. This study introduces a novel methodology for completely non-invasive, multi-channel recording of electroencephalography (EEG) and evoked potentials in awake horses to examine equine auditory cortical processing. The new approach utilizes specially designed brush-shaped active electrodes that facilitate stable signal acquisition through the hair coat by penetrating electrode pins and integrated pre-amplifiers. A 12-...
Oocyte holding and in vitro maturation duration between 28 and 34 hours do not affect equine OPU-ICSI outcomes. Previous studies in the horse highlight the potential benefit of prolonged in vitro maturation (IVM) (34 h) compared to short IVM (24 h) with or without prior oocyte holding, but little is known about the optimal IVM duration within this interval. To determine the effect of oocyte holding and duration of IVM ranged between 28 and 34 h on nuclear maturation, cleavage, blastocyst formation, and pregnancy rates, a retrospective study was performed in an equine clinical OPU-ICSI setting. The study included data of 2114 aspirated oocytes from 201 OPU-ICSI sessions. Duration of IVM was divided in...
Prolonged maintenance of stallion semen by optimization of cooling conditions. Bottlenecks to the success of equine assisted reproductive technologies (ART) include suboptimal conditions for prolonged storage of stallion sperm. Shipped stallion sperm are transported in cooling devices designed to maintain temperature for up to 48 h. Increasing the storage time of cooled semen while maintaining acceptable motility would relieve logistical ART challenges. Experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that external regulation of shipment container temperature would prolong storage time of cooled stallion semen. Initial experiments determined the effect of pre-freezing c...
Genomic insights into the genetic diversity, lateral gaits and high-altitude adaptation of Chakouyi (CKY) horses. Chakouyi (CKY) horses from the Qinghai‒Xizang Plateau are well known for their unique lateral gaits and high-altitude adaptation, but genetic mechanisms underlying these phenotypes remain unclear. This study presents a comparison of 60 newly resequenced genomes of gaited CKY horses with 139 public genomes from 19 horse breeds. Population structure analyses (admixture, PCA, and neighbor-joining tree) reveal a close genetic relationship between CKY and other highland breeds (Tibetan and Chaidamu horses). Compared with other Chinese breeds, CKY horses present reduced nucleotide diversity (θπ)...
Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Racing Time and Ranking in Thoroughbred Horses. This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters for race time in seconds and final ranking, as well as to analyze the genetic trends associated with race time. The study utilized a dataset consisting of 23,290 records of race times and final ranks at distances of 1,000, 1,600, and 2,000 m from 6,213 Thoroughbred horses from the São Paulo Jockey Club. Our model considered the year of the run, animal sex, race class, track conditions, the linear effect of horse weight and age, and the quadratic effect of age as fixed covariates. Random effects included direct additive genetic, animal permanent ...
Genetic characterization of phenotypic traits in endangered Taishu horse breed and their breeding strategy. The Taishu horse is a native Japanese breed threatened with extinction. It is important to genotype the causative genes of rare phenotypes in endangered breeds because unique genetic traits might be lost unless a breeding strategy for conservation is constructed. In the present study, nine single-nucleotide variants and three indels of nine genes related to coat color, body composition, and gait were genotyped in 56 Taishu horses. Of these, only three genes were polymorphic. The observed coat color phenotypes coincided with the estimated phenotype from the genotypes, whereas black horses showe...
Fiber composition, in vitro true digestibility, and fiber degradation of hempseed meal compared to mainstream feedstuffs using equine feces as microbial inoculum within the DaisyII Incubator. Recent changes in legislation have put hempseed meal (Cannabis sativa L.; HSM) under consideration as a potential livestock feedstuff. Digestibility of HSM has been researched in other species, however, there are little data in horses. The study objective was to determine the in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) of HSM compared to common equine feedstuffs. An in vitro split-split plot design used four geldings (8.5 ± 3.9yr; 558.4 ± 31.0kg; 6.0 ± 0.4 BCS) to investigate the IVTD of HSM compared to alfalfa hay (ALF), Coastal Bermudagrass hay (CBH), soybean meal (SBM), rice bran pellets (RBP), a...
Assessment of the modification of the authorisation of the feed additive consisting of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 for lambs and its extension of use to all ruminants and camelids reared for milk production/suckling/reproduction, all minor (young) ruminant species and camelids for fattening and Equidae other than horses (Lallemand SAS). Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a preparation of CNCM I-1077 as a zootechnical feed additive for several animal species. The additive, existing in a not-coated and a coated form, is currently authorised for use in feed for calves, cattle for fattening, dairy cows, dairy goats and dairy sheep, lambs, all minor ruminant species for fattening and rearing, horses and camelids for fattening and rearing. This application regards the request for the extension of use in all ruminants and camelids reared for...
Stress response of 18-, 24- and 30-month-old sport horse stallions to a pretraining programme. Warmblood sires traditionally have been presented for stallion licencing at 2 years of age, but the age at which horses are mentally fit for training is a point of controversy. We have therefore investigated the stress response of young stallions to pretraining for licencing. Salivary cortisol concentration, heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) were determined repeatedly over 12 weeks. Stallions were 24 and 30 months old and either housed in groups or individual boxes (Group 24, n = 9; Box 24, n = 10; Box 30, n = 10). Pretraining included free movement in an indoor arena, train...
Validation of Vetscan Imagyst®, a diagnostic test utilizing an artificial intelligence deep learning algorithm, for detecting strongyles and Parascaris spp. in equine fecal samples. Current methods for obtaining fecal egg counts in horses are often inaccurate and variable depending on the analyst's skill and experience. Automated digital scanning of fecal sample slides integrated with analysis by an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm is a viable, emerging alternative that can mitigate operator variation compared to conventional methods in companion animal fecal parasite diagnostics. Vetscan Imagyst is a novel fecal parasite detection system that uploads the scanned image to the cloud where proprietary software analyzes captured images for diagnostic recognition by a d...
A genome-wide association study of the racing performance traits in Yili horses based on Blink and FarmCPU models. Racing performance traits are the main indicators for evaluating the performance and value of sport horses. The aim of this study was to identify the key genes for racing performance traits in Yili horses by performing a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Breeding values for racing performance traits were calculated for Yili horses (n = 827) using an animal model. Genome-wide association analysis of racing performance traits in horses (n = 236) was carried out using the Blink, and FarmCPU models in GAPIT software, and genes within the significant regions were functionally annotated....
Optimizing equine sperm quality: an alternative to single layer centrifugation for sperm isolation. In vitro semen purification techniques have been developed that seek to mimic the in vivo selection process in order to generate the highest possible chance of oocyte fertilization following artificial insemination. Numerous methods have been developed to isolate functional spermatozoa for artificial insemination, yet only one method, single-layer centrifugation using commercial preparations like EquiPure, has been widely employed. In this study, we have introduced a novel approach for isolating spermatozoa and compared their quality to those isolated using EquiPure. The AI port system (Mempha...
Peptidomic Analysis of Potential Bioactive Peptides in Mare Milk Under Different Heat Treatment Conditions. Active peptides in mare milk have unique biological activities, but how the bioactive protein in mare's milk changes under the influence of temperature has not been fully studied. Therefore, in this study, the differential expression of bioactive peptides potentially present in horse milk under different heat treatment conditions was investigated for the first time using peptidomic and bioinformatic techniques. We collected a total of 15 samples. In this study, we divided the samples into five groups, specifically, 65 °C, 30 min; 72 °C, 15 min; 83 °C; 10 min; 95 °C, 5 min; and an untreated...
Differences in physicochemical properties and proteomics analysis of spray- and freeze-dried milk powders from bovine, goat, and horse sources. Milk powder, a nutrient-rich dairy product, lacks comprehensive information summarizing its specific properties when produced by spray- and freeze-dried technologies from different sources. Therefore, this study investigated the differences in physicochemical properties, microstructure, and proteome of spray- and freeze-dried milk powders from bovine, goat, and horse sources. The results revealed that spray-dried milk powder exhibited a smaller particle size, lower air content within the powder particles, inferior reconstitution properties, and lower lactose crystallinity compared with freeze-...
Unraveling the genetic and physiological potential of donkeys: insights from genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics approaches. Donkeys (Equus asinus) have played a vital role in agriculture, transportation, and companionship, particularly in developing regions where they are indispensable working animals. The domestication of donkeys marked a significant turning point in human history, as they became essential for transportation, agriculture, and trade, especially in arid and semi-arid areas where their resilience and endurance were highly valued. In modern society, donkeys are indispensable due to their diversified applications, including meat, dairy, medicine, and functional bioproducts, supporting economic, cultura...
The Role of the Equestrian Professional in Bridle and Bit Fit in the United Kingdom. To ensure the comfort of ridden horses, equipment including bridles and bits should be suitable and fit correctly. Horse owners employ a variety of equestrian professionals with varying degrees of responsibility regarding bridle and bit fit. This study aimed to compare the frequency and manner in which equestrian professionals within a multidisciplinary team (MDT) engage with clients on matters of bridle and bit fit, and to capture their perceptions of the key issues in bridle and bit fit. The participants completed an online questionnaire to obtain information regarding participant demographi...
Evaluations of Morphometric Traits and Body Conformation Indices of Horse Ecotypes Reared in the Highlands of Bale Eco-Region, Ethiopia. Morphometric traits discrepancies are associated with production, reproduction, adaptation and behaviours in horses. It also determines the design of harnessing implements, physical injury level and working performance of the native horses. Thus, the study was conducted to evaluate morphometric traits and body conformation indices of horse ecotypes reared across four districts of Bale Zone, Ethiopia. Methods: Data of croup height, croup length, hip height, mid-back height, wither height, hip width, thoracic depth, chest width, body length, sternum height, thorax perimeter and cannon perimeter ...
Environmental impacts and daily voluntary movement of horses housed in pasture tracks as compared to conventional pasture housing. Pasture tracks are a modern equine housing trend often implemented as a weight control strategy due to the belief that they promote movement, though this is not proven experimentally. To test movement of horses housed in pasture tracks as compared to conventional pasture housing, two experiments were performed using a track (0.2ha, 3.5m in width, 561 m total distance) created around the perimeter of a 2.0 ha pasture. In experiment 1, eight horses were paired and rotated between three treatment locations: track (T), small 2 ha pasture housed within the track (SP), and a larger 20 ha pasture on ...
Intake, digestibility, and behavior of horses fed açaí kernel (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) as a substitute of Mombaça grass (Megathyrsus maximus). In this study, we analyzed the effects of including açaí kernel, in the experimental diets fed to horses on the intake and digestibility of their nutrient and the resultant effects on the behavior of horses. The experiments were conducted in Federal Rural University of Amazonia. Five mares with no defined breeds, were allocated to five treatments (the replacement of Mombaça grass (Megathyrsus maximus) with crushed açaí kernel at 0, 18.75, 37.50, 56.25, and 75% levels of dry matter), in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The animals were housed in covered stalls with concrete floors, equipp...
Preparation and tissue structure analysis of horse bone collagen peptide. Horse bone is rich in collagen, with a composition similar to that of human collagen. Collagen peptides supply nutrients needed for human growth that act as antioxidants, lower blood pressure. This study explored the extraction of collagen and the preparation of collagen short peptides from Mongolian horse bones. Bones were collected from horses of varying ages, and the collagen content along with calcium salt distribution were observed through staining and imaging analyses. Next, the bones were processed into a powder and then subjected to ultra-high-pressure processing for degreasing. The de...
A wearable real-time particulate monitor demonstrates that soaking hay reduces dust exposure. Affordable particulate matter (PM) monitors suitable for use on horses will facilitate the evaluation of PM mitigation methods and improve the management of equine asthma. Objective: Calibrate a real-time wearable PM monitor (Black Beauty [BB]) and compare the PM exposures of horses fed dry or soaked hay. Methods: Laboratory calibration; complete cross-over feed trial. Methods: Side-by-side sampling with BB monitors and tapered element oscillating microbalances (TEOMs) was performed under varying concentrations of PM from alfalfa hay. Linear regression was used to derive a calibration formula ...
Influence of Loading Density and Gender on the Welfare and Meat Quality of Horses During Transport for Slaughter. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of loading density and gender on blood welfare indicators, carcass bruises and horsemeat quality. Data were collected from twelve transports of 89 slaughter horses originating from the same collection centre. The transportation of slaughter horses at high loading densities (>200 kg/m), especially stallions, resulted in increased levels of lactate ( = 0.021), glucose ( < 0.0001), ceruloplasmin ( < 0.0001) and AOPP ( < 0.0001), but lower GSH levels ( 200 kg/m) during transport had lower levels of the aforementioned blood metabolites....
Advancing equine genomics: the development of a high density Axiom_Ashwa SNP chip for Indian horses and ponies. The unique horse and pony breeds of India are declining at an alarming rate. These horses have been integral to the Indian culture and customs for centuries and represent a valuable genetic resource. It is imperative to harness the potential of this equine genetic resource that urgently needs conservation. The study highlights the design and development of a high density SNP array, the Axiom_Ashwa to aid in the genetic analysis and conservation efforts for Indian horse and pony breeds. With 613,950 SNPs, this chip offers extensive genome coverage having an average inter-marker distance of 4 k...
Genetic Factors of Equine Osteochondrosis and Fetlock Osteochondral Fragments: A Scoping Review – Part 2. Equine osteochondrosis and osteochondral fragments in the fetlock joint are linked to various environmental and genetic risk factors. To assess the scope of the literature linking these risk factors to the development of these osteochondral disorders, while identifying knowledge gaps and challenges to guide future research, a scoping review was performed. This article constitutes the second part of this scoping review and focuses on genetic factors, with the first part addressing environmental factors. To identify potentially relevant papers, online bibliographical databases PubMed and Web of ...
Living the good life? A systematic review of behavioural signs of affective state in the domestic horse (Equus caballus) and factors relating to quality of life. Part 2: Horse-human interactions. Quality of life is dependent upon the extent to which behavioural needs are met, and the balance between pleasant and unpleasant lifetime experiences. In Part II of this systematic review, articles (n = 109) relating to horse-human interactions were reviewed to identify behavioural evidence of their positive or negative impact on the horse. The number of articles (n = 22) relating to the recognition of pain in horses, indicated the importance of identifying health issues, which are also likely to increase the aversiveness of interactions. These and articles relating to emotional reactivity tes...
Assessment of horse breeding and husbandry practices in southwest Ethiopia: Its implication to design breeding program. Ethiopian horses are multipurpose horses that have socioeconomic significance for smallholder farmers. However, studies regarding their husbandry practices have received little attention. Thus, the current study was conducted to assess the horse husbandry practices in the southwest Ethiopia. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires from a total of 196 randomly selected respondents. The general linear model and frequency procedures of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS 9.0) were used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data, while indices were calculated using Micros...
Characterization and monitoring of changes during lactation in the profile of multiple bioactive compounds of milk from grazing mares. Mare milk has often been considered a food product with potential functional properties. However, the bioactive compound composition of mare milk, including vitamins and other minor bioactive compounds, as well as factors affecting this composition have scarcely been studied. Therefore, the present study aimed to characterize the changes during lactation in the content of water- and fat-soluble vitamins and total polyphenols, and the total antioxidant capacity of mare milk from semi-extensive farms. A total of 310 individual milk samples from 18 mares belonging to three commercial farms and 12...
Inertial measurement unit technology for gait detection: a comprehensive evaluation of gait traits in two Italian horse breeds. The shift of the horse breeding sector from agricultural to leisure and sports purposes led to a decrease in local breeds' population size due to the loss of their original breeding purposes. Most of the Italian breeds must adapt to modern market demands, and gait traits are suitable phenotypes to help this process. Inertial measurement unit (IMU) technology can be used to objectively assess them. This work aims to investigate on IMU recorded data (i) the influence of environmental factors and biometric measurements, (ii) their repeatability, (iii) the correlation with judge evaluations, and (...
Physiological responses and agreement between two traditional lunging protocols for physical fitness training in untrained ponies. Lunging is a training technique commonly performed in a round pen or on a lunge line. This study investigated the effort intensity, autonomic responses, and method agreement in applying different lunging protocols to untrained ponies. Sixteen untrained ponies (aged 13.6 ± 6.3 years and weighing 358 ± 47.4 kg) were studied. Each pony underwent the same research-focused lunging program on a lunge line and, subsequently, in a round pen with a two-day interval between sessions. The heart rate variability (HRV) and effort intensity, indicated as a percentage of maximum heart rate (%HRmax), were d...