Topic:Animal Species
The topic "Animal Species and Horses" explores the interactions and relationships between horses and various other animal species. This includes understanding the ecological roles horses play within their environments, as well as their interactions with domestic and wild animals. Research in this area may cover aspects such as competition for resources, symbiotic relationships, and behavioral influences between horses and other species. Studies may also investigate the impact of horses on biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that examine these interspecies relationships, focusing on the ecological, behavioral, and environmental implications of horses interacting with other animals.
Risk factors for tick infestation and equine Piroplasmosis infection among draught horses in France. Equine piroplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasites Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, is endemic in Europe's Mediterranean basin, creating significant health and economic challenges for the equine sector. With no available vaccine, an eco-epidemiological approach is essential in order to identify and implement effective preventive measures. With this aim in view, we identified risk factors associated with B. caballi and T. equi infections and tick infestation for draught horses in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France, known for its high piroplasmosis seroprevalence. During the spri...
Association Between Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Concentration and Clinical Signs of Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction in Swiss and Austrian Equids. There remains a scarcity of data concerning the relationship between the clinical signs associated with PPID and plasma ACTH concentrations. Objective: Report the frequency of clinical signs in the study cohort and identify individual clinical signs or combinations of clinical signs associated with high ACTH concentrations. Methods: Two hundred eighty equids were examined by private veterinarians. Methods: A cross-sectional study of animals with clinical suspicion of PPID was conducted between August and November. Private practitioners completed an online questionnaire reporting detailed infor...
Retinol and cholecalciferol affect buserelin-induced estrous in anestrous mares. In winter anestrous, prolonged melatonin secretion inhibits gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). However, synthetic GnRH analogues such as buserelin can stimulate follicular development. We aimed to investigate clinical relationship between retinol, cholecalciferol, and buserelin for inducing estrous in anestrous mares (Equus caballus). We used a total of twenty-one anestrous mares, randomly divided into three groups of seven animals. Group A received retinol, cholecalciferol, and buserelin; group B received buserelin; and group C was control. Groups A, B, and C had 71.42% (n = 5; 95% CI...
ESTABLISHING REFERENCE INTERVALS FOR SERUM INFLAMMATORY MARKERS AND INVESTIGATING THEIR STORAGE STABILITY AND CLINICAL UTILITY IN ASIAN WILD HORSES (EQUUS FERUS PRZEWALSKII) UNDER MANAGED CARE. Acute phase proteins (APPs) are commonly used in domestic equine practice, where they rise rapidly in response to inflammation and decrease soon after resolution. This response provides useful information to identify, monitor, and prognosticate a variety of inflammatory conditions. Asian wild horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) are an endangered relative of the domestic horse, and APP reference intervals (RI) and clinical utility in this species are not well documented. This study used serum samples from clinically healthy Asian wild horses under managed care to establish RI for serum amyloid A (...
Microbiome analysis reveals dynamic changes of gut microbiota in Guizhou horse and Dutch Warmblood horses. In recent years, the importance of gut microbiota in digestive absorption, metabolism, and immunity has garnered increasing attention. China possess abundant horse breed resources, particularly Guizhou horses, which play vital roles in local agriculture, tourism, and transportation. Despite this, there is a lack of comparative studies on the gut microbiota of native Guizhou horses (GZH) and imported Dutch Warmblood horses (WH). To address this gap, fecal samples were collected from both GZH and WH, and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was utilized to analyze the differences in their gut mic...
Genomic Patterns of Homozygosity and Genetic Diversity in the Rhenish German Draught Horse. The Rhenish German draught horse is an endangered German horse breed, originally used as working horse in agriculture. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the breed's genetic diversity using pedigree and genomic data in order to analyze classical and ancestral pedigree-based inbreeding, runs of homozygosity, ROH islands, and consensus ROH. Methods: We studied the genome-wide genotype data of 675 Rhenish German draught horses and collated pedigree-based inbreeding coefficients for these horses. The final dataset contained 64,737 autosomal SNPs. Results: The average number of ...
Isolation and molecular identification of Lactobacillaceae bacteria and Bifidobacterium from horse feces. The equine large intestine harbors a diverse array of symbiotic microorganisms. Disruptions in the gut microbiota can lead to various diseases in horses. Probiotics offer promising avenues for enhancing equine health and performance. However, commercial formulations lack robust scientific validation. This study aimed to isolate and identify Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacterium spp. from horse feces to explore their potential as probiotics. Fecal samples from Thoroughbred horses were subjected to isolation procedures. Lactic acid-producing bacteria were isolated using specific media and identif...
Genomic regions and candidate genes associated with forehead whorl positioning in Thoroughbred horses. Previous studies have examined the relationship between hair characteristics and temperament traits in various animals. A partial genetic association has been suggested in humans because whorl formation and neurological development occur simultaneously during the fetal period. In the horse industry, anecdotal evidence suggests a link between the forehead whorl position and temperament. In our previous study, the heritability of forehead whorl positioning was h=0.653, indicating significant genetic contributions in thoroughbreds. Therefore, in this study, we designed a genome-wide association s...
Differences in serum iron concentrations between the summer and winter in Noma horses. We examined the differences in serum iron (Fe) concentrations and related variables between summer and winter in Noma horses. Blood samples were collected from 37 clinically normal horses seven consecutive times: September 2018, February 2019, October 2019, February 2020, September 2020, February 2021, and February 2022. Serum Fe concentrations ranged from 74 μg/dl to 316 μg/dl with a median of 176 μg/dl. The concentrations were lower in stallions compared with mares and geldings, tended to be low at 10-14 years of age, and then increased with age. Serum Fe concentrations were repeatedly lo...
Transvaginal Follicle Aspiration in Mares: A Description of Different Techniques and Comparison of Results Across Different OPU Clinics. This retrospective clinical study describes different techniques for transvaginal follicle aspiration in mares and compares results from 5 different commercial ovum pick-up (OPU) clinics in which the same operator aspirated mares using different systems and equipment: Clinic 1 (n = 42 mares, two-operator OPU technique, double-lumen-echogenic-tip needle, and manual syringe-assisted flushing of follicles), Clinic 2 (n = 28 mares, single-operator-OPU-technique, double-lumen-echogenic-tip needle, infusion pump controlled by foot-pedal for follicle flushing), Clinic 3 (n = 18 mares, sin...
Regulatory Mechanisms of Yili Horses During an 80 km Race Based on Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analyses. Equine endurance exercise induces physiological changes that alter metabolism and molecular pathways to maintain balance after intense physical activity. However, the specific regulatory mechanisms remain under debate. Identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differential metabolites (DMs) associated with equine endurance is essential for elucidating these regulatory mechanisms. This study collected blood samples from six Yili horses before and after an 80 km race and conducted transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses, yielding 722 DEGs and 256 DMs. These DEGs were primarily enri...
Analysis of the Culturable Skin Microbiome of Horses from Southern Germany. Horses have close interactions with humans and are important as working animals and livestock. In contrast to smaller companion animals like cats and dogs, there is only little information available about their skin microbiome. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize the culturable cutaneous microbiome of healthy horses. Samples were taken from 14 horses from Southern Germany which were randomly enrolled in this study. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was used as a method to detect the culturable microorganisms of ...
Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Exposure in Wild and Domestic Animals in Benin. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne zoonotic viral disease prevalent in Africa. While infection is asymptomatic in animals, it can cause severe illness with hemorrhagic manifestations and high mortality rates in humans. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and potential risk factors of CCHF in wild (rodents, birds) and domestic (cattle, horses) animals in Benin. A cross-sectional study was carried out from 2022 to 2024 with the assistance of cattle breeders, hunters, farmers and bushmeat sellers in 15 districts found in three agroecological zones in the country. ...
Standardized body condition scoring system for tropical farm animals (large ruminants, small ruminants, and equines). In tropical regions, subject to significant fluctuations in feedstuffs, the body condition score (BCS) is a relevant indicator for monitoring body reserves status of farm animals. However, the most used BCS grids comes from temperate conditions and still not adapted for tropical species, which limits adoption and usefulness. The current work presents for the first time an original, low-cost, standardized BCS assessment system, suited to a large spectrum of tropical farm animals (zebu and/or crossbred cattle, buffaloes, camel, sheep, goats, horses and donkeys). Based on a rigorous set of unifor...
The neurobiological basis of emotions and their connection to facial expressions in non-human mammals: insights in nonverbal communication. Recognizing that nonhuman animals are sentient beings has increased interest in studying their emotional state. Similar to humans, research has shown that some nonhuman mammals can modify facial expressions by contraction/relaxation of facial muscles according to their affective state. From a neurophysiological perspective, emotions are processed in several brain structures, mainly from the limbic system, such as the hypothalamus, hypophysis, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala. The converged pathways between the amygdala, the motor cortex, and its projections to the facial nerve cont...
The Effect of Season and Breed on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Hormones, Metabolic Hormones, and Oxidative Markers in Ponies and Horses. Endocrine function in ponies differs from horses, with seasonally increased concentrations of plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and an increased risk of insulin dysregulation. Objective: (1) Season and breed differences exist in concentrations of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and metabolic hormones; and (2) systemic oxidative status is significantly different between ponies and horses and correlates with endocrine hormones. Methods: Thirty-four healthy Welsh ponies and 14 healthy Quarter horses. Methods: Blood was collected from Welsh ponies and Quarter horses in the same region ...
Local investigation into the role of Culicoides species diversity (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in recurrent horse dermatitis cases in southwest France. Insect bite hypersensitivity in horses ("sweet itch") is a common pruritic, chronic, seasonal, and recurrent dermatitis affecting approximately 10% of horses in France and is a major concern for the horse industry and private owners. This dermatitis results from an allergic reaction to the saliva of specific biting flies (Diptera: Nematocera), primarily from the Culicoides genus. Given the frequent occurrence of this health problem and the limited investigation in France, we conducted a field survey in the vicinity of a riding stable in southwestern France with a reported chronic case of recur...
High prevalence of Chorioptes bovis: an important factor in chronic progressive lymphedema in Belgian draft horses. A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of chorioptic mange affecting the distal legs of horses in Belgium, focusing on the association between mange and chronic progressive lymphedema (CPL) in Belgian draft horses. Clinical examinations and skin scrapings were performed on the distal legs of 156 Belgian draft horses and 142 Belgian warmblood horses. In the Belgian draft horse breed, 144 (92.31%) horses were infested with Chorioptes bovis mites, and 126 (80.77%) displayed clinical signs of CPL. CPL prevalence in draft horses aged < 1 year was 17.86%, while mites we...
How facial expressions reveal acute pain in domestic animals with facial pain scales as a diagnostic tool. The growing interest in managing and recognizing pain in animals has led to the search for more sensitive methods to evaluate it, especially because some species conceal any visible changes associated with pain or are not easily assessed. Research has shown that an animal's facial expression changes when exposed to painful stimuli. Thus, developing several pain scales (grimace scales) in species such as horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, donkeys, rabbits, rats, mice, and cats has helped to improve the study of pain in veterinary medicine. The possibility of using facial expression as an indicator of...
The Genomic Characterization of Equid Alphaherpesviruses: Structure, Function, and Genetic Similarity. Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1), EHV-4, EHV-8, and EHV-9, are classified within the subfamily and are recognized as causative agents of respiratory, urogenital, and neurological disorders in horses. These viruses, collectively referred to as αEHVs, exhibits both unique and shared characteristics in terms of host interaction, pathogenesis, epidemiology, and immune evasion, which arise from both the identities and discrepancies among respective genomic homologs. The genomic architecture of αEHVs is similar to other members of the same subfamily, such as well-known HSV-1, VZV, and PRV. However, r...
Genetic Evaluation of Barrel Racing Performance in Quarter Horses. Barrel racing is a competitive timed rodeo event that challenges horses and riders to complete a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels in the fastest time possible. In this study, we aimed to estimate the genetic parameters of barrel racing time (BRT) and evaluate the most suitable statistical model for its analysis. We compared a repeatability model and three random regression models (RRM) to analyse the longitudinal BRT data in Brazilian Quarter Horses. A total of 356,877 BRT records from 14,108 horses that competed in various events held across Brazil between 2010 and 2024 were analysed. ...
Molecular study of Streptococcus equi isolated from horses with strangles in Iraq. Strangles is a highly contagious equine respiratory disease caused by . It is a globally significant pathogen and one of the most common infectious agents in horses. In Iraq, no sequencing data on this pathogen are available, and only two molecular studies have been published to date. This study provides preliminary insights into strain diversity and provides a foundation for future large-scale investigations. Unassigned: This study aimed to investigate the molecular characteristics, identify gene alleles, and perform a phylogenetic analysis of isolates from horses in Baghdad, Iraq. Unassign...
Identification of Genetic Relationships and Group Structure Analysis of Yanqi Horses. The Yanqi horse is a distinguished local breed in China, known for its robust physique and strong adaptability. However, due to insufficient breeding populations and a loosely structured breeding system, the number of Yanqi horses has been declining annually. To protect its genetic resources and develop scientific breeding strategies, this study aimed to analyze the genetic diversity, parentage relationships, and genetic structure of the Yanqi horse conservation population using microsatellite markers. A total of 117 Yanqi horses were selected for genotyping analysis using 16 microsatellite ...
Genomic Insights into Post-Domestication Expansion and Selection of Body Size in Ponies. Horse domestication revolutionizes human civilization by transforming transportation, agriculture, and warfare patterns. Despite extensive studies on modern domestic horse origins, the intricate demographic history and genetic signatures underlying pony size remain unexplored. Here, a high-quality genome assembly of the Chinese Debao pony is presented, and 452 qualified individuals from 64 horse breeds worldwide are extensively analyzed. The authors' results reveal the conservation of ancient components in East Asian horses and close relationships between Asian horses and Western pony lineages...
Experiences of End-of-Life Decision-Making in Equine Veterinary and Charity Teams. Veterinary and charity teams are frequently involved in equine end-of-life decisions. These can cause ethical dilemmas and emotional burdens and complicate communication with owners. Semi-structured focus groups explored experiences of making decisions about end-of-life care and euthanasia at three UK equine veterinary practices and one charity. There were 26 participants in a mix of roles. Inductive coding was conducted during thematic analysis. Major themes generated were 'Equine Welfare', 'Relationships', 'Decision-Making', and 'Emotional Toll and Coping Strategies'. Communication, finances...
Equus mitochondrial pangenome reveals independent domestication imprints in donkeys and horses. Mitochondria are semi-autonomous organelles that play a crucial role in the energy budget of animal cells and are closely related to the locomotor abilities of animals. Equidae is renowned for including two domesticated species with distinct purposes: the endurance-oriented donkey and the power-driven horse, making it an ideal system for studying the relationship between mitochondria and locomotor abilities. In this study, to cover the genetic diversity of donkeys, we sequenced and assembled six new mitochondrial genomes from China. Meanwhile, we downloaded the published mitochondrial genomes ...
Assessing Equine Behavioural Responses in Equine-Assisted Services: A Field Study Analysis. Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) offer significant benefits for individuals with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. However, ensuring the welfare of the horses involved remains a key ethical concern. The objective of this study was to assess the affective states of horses involved in EAS while also establishing behavioural thresholds for indicators of positive or negative affective states. A total of 98 horses were observed over a two-month period, accumulating data about horse behaviour and session characteristics from 830 EAS sessions. Horses participating in coaching programs averaged...
‘First record of Hsiungia pekingensis (Nematoda: Strongylidae) in North America: Morphological and molecular identification of a rare equine strongyle. Equids are infected by a diversity of gastrointestinal nematode parasites, including 64 species of equine strongyle nematodes from19 genera. Despite numerous surveys of horse strongyles worldwide, certain geographic regions and rare species remain understudied. In 1964, a new species of equine strongyle, Cylicocyclus pekingensis, was described from a donkey in China. Subsequently, this species was recorded in horses from Kazakhstan and reclassified as Hsiungia pekingensis (K'ung and Yang, 1964), the only species in this genus. Since then, H. pekingensis has not been reported elsewhere, with li...
Equine neutrophils selectively release neutrophil extracellular traps in response to chemical and bacterial agonists. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a significant role in response to a variety of infectious and inflammatory stimuli in human and veterinary medicine. Although entrapment of bacteria can be an important function of NETs, the exuberant release of DNA and other intracellular molecules has also been negatively implicated in the pathogenesis of different diseases. Thus, NET formation must be tightly controlled and represents an opportunity for therapeutic interventions. Horses are particularly sensitive to bacterial stimuli that have previously been shown to cause NETs in other species, b...