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.
Tracing the 2021 equine influenza Outbreak: First characterization and phylogeographic analysis of H3N8 Florida clade 1 virus in Tunisia. Equine influenza (EI) is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease affecting equids, with the potential of causing widespread outbreaks across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and other regions of the world. In Tunisia, in the spring of 2021, an EI virus outbreak occurred in a farm housing purebred Arabian horses that exhibited respiratory signs. This outbreak led to a national lockdown on horse movements and the cancellation of equestrian events. A total of 432 serum samples, collected from 2018 to 2021, were tested using ELISA competition assay. In addition, 100 Nasal swabs were collected dur...
Gastrointestinal parasite occurrence in Slovak horses and factors affecting Strongylidae and Parascaris spp. egg shedding. Strongylids and parascarids are the most widespread equine parasites worldwide; however, up-to-date data from Slovakia remain limited. This work bridges that gap by examining the prevalence and level of gastrointestinal helminth infections in Slovak horses. In the study, 392 fecal samples from horses on 24 farms were analyzed using the McMaster method with a sensitivity of 50 eggs per gram (EPG) for detecting nematode eggs and a double-centrifugation/combined sedimentation-flotation protocol for detecting Anoplocephala spp. eggs. Information on the age and breed of horses, management condition...
Emergence of a new alveolar dental element after extraction of a molar tooth in a horse. A 2-year-old mixed-breed mare was examined at the property due to swelling and fistula on the right mandible. Oral examination and radiographs revealed the presence of an apical abscess involving the 410 tooth. The tooth was extracted entirely and confirmed radiographically. One year later, the owner reported a reoccurrence of clinical signs. A new radiographic evaluation revealed a radiopaque area in the alveolar socket of the 410 tooth filled with spongy-looking bone. An extraoral approach to the alveolar socket was performed, and the content removed had the appearance of a dental element.
Melatonin receptors and thyroid stimulating hormone in the equine pars tuberalis: Potential modulators of seasonal reproduction in the mare. The mechanism by which photoperiod influences the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and regulates seasonal reproduction in horses has yet to be fully elucidated. The hypophyseal pars tuberalis (PT) has been indicated as a critical site for the transduction of melatonin signals through melatonin-responsive, PT-specific cells that produce thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in many mammalian species. However, this has yet to be investigated in horses. The objective of this study was to explore the interaction of melatonin and thyroid-stimulating hormone in the equine HPG axis. Pituitaries ...
Quantitative modeling reveals prolonged lactate clearance in young and unraced Jeju horses following high-intensity exercise under passive recovery conditions. To model lactate recovery kinetics in relation to sex, age, running speed, and racing experience, and to estimate blood lactate clearance time under passive recovery conditions that reflect current management practices in Jeju horses, a less well-characterized pony-sized indigenous breed. Unassigned: From October through December 2022, BLC was measured at baseline, 10 minutes after 800-m barrier trials (time [T]-1), and 50 minutes (T2) after 800-m barrier trials in 40 race-trained Jeju horses (2 to 4 years old). Lactate clearance was modeled using nonlinear regression with an exponential decay...
Serological differentiation of West Nile, Usutu, and tick-borne encephalitis virus antibodies in birds and horses using mutant E protein ELISAs. West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV) and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) are worldwide endemic zoonotic orthoflaviviruses, often co-circulating in the same areas. Serological studies in animals, mostly birds and horses, are important means to monitor the spread of these viruses and the infection risks for humans. However, cross-reactive antibodies to these structurally similar flaviviruses frequently impact serological differentiation in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), hence time-consuming virus neutralization tests (VNTs) have to be employed in laboratories with high bi...
Seasonality, control, and risk factors for Gasterophilus intestinalis egg intensity in horses from Romania under field conditions. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of pyrethroid-based insecticides against Gasterophilus spp. egg-laying activity and to establish the seasonality patterns in the specific climatic area of Transylvania, Romania. To fulfil the aims of the study, a total of 40 horses were treated every 4 weeks and inspected every 2 weeks between 11 May and 6 November (Pilo et al. Parasitol Res 114:1693-1702, 2024). Through this period, eggs were found between 24 June and 2 November. The eggs were found on 34 out of 40 horses (prevalence = 85%, CI 95% = 73.43-96.56%). Overall, a total of 50,029 G...
Variation in Four Horse Gait Categories Illustrated by Quantitative Analysis With ANALOC-E. Horse gaits are a trait highly selected and prized in diverse breeds. Meanwhile, gait classification relies mostly on subjective visual observations by evaluators. Noninvasive equipment able to track locomotion in horses and output quantitative gait parameters is not only helpful in evaluating locomotion but also in designating gait types and its variations. Equine locomotion pattern designation based solely on observer evaluation can be subjective; therefore, utilizing tools that provide quantitative results and track individual limb movements, especially during intermediate-speed gaits, can ...
A Markerless Approach for Full-Body Biomechanics of Horses. The ability to quantify equine kinematics is essential for clinical evaluation, research, and performance feedback. However, current methods are challenging to implement. This study presents a motion capture methodology for horses, where three-dimensional, full-body kinematics are calculated without instrumentation on the animal, offering a more scalable and labor-efficient approach when compared with traditional techniques. Kinematic trajectories are calculated from multi-camera video data. First, a neural network identifies skeletal landmarks (markers) in each camera view and the 3D location...
α2-Macroglobulin Concentrations in Canine and Equine Serum Donors. To determine if serum α2-macroglobulin (A2M) concentration varies based on donor species-canine or equine-and signalment. Methods: Serum A2M concentration ([A2M]) was measured in healthy dogs (n = 30) and horses (n = 31) using species-specific ELISAs. Results: Canine and equine [A2M] median (IQR; range) were 98.70 ng/mL (92.79 ng/mL; 34.33-696.18 ng/mL) and 557 000 ng/mL (437 900 ng/mL; 62 600-3 042 900 ng/mL), respectively. Equine [A2M] was significantly higher than canine [A2M]. Depending on the statistical analysis performed, sex had either no statistical (pâ€...
Seroprevalence of equine leptospirosis in Poland (2019-2023). Leptospirosis in horses is associated with various clinical signs, potentially leading to fatal outcomes. Additionally, the disease may pose a zoonotic risk to individuals involved in handling infected animals. Implementing a serological monitoring programme in the equine population is one of the key tools used to reduce the risk of transmission of Leptospira infections to humans. Objective: To provide new insights into the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in domestic horses in Poland. Methods: Serological monitoring program. Methods: Data were collected from serological surveys of horse serum ...
The genomic history of Iberian horses since the last Ice Age. Horses have inhabited Iberia (present-day Spain and Portugal) since the Middle Pleistocene, shaping a complex history in the region. Iberia has been proposed as a potential domestication centre and is renowned for producing world-class bloodlines. Here, we generate genome-wide sequence data from 87 ancient horse specimens (median coverage = 0.97X) from Iberia and the broader Mediterranean to reconstruct their genetic history over the last ~26,000 years. Here, we report that wild horses of the divergent IBE lineage inhabited Iberia from the Late Pleistocene, while domesticated DOM2 horses, nati...
Pegiviruses and Coronavirus: Biomolecular Prevalence and Phylogenetic Analysis of Strains Detected in Italian Horse Populations. Equestrian sports play a significant economic role in the horse industry. In recent years, numerous equine viruses have emerged, among which are equine Pegiviruses and the re-emerging Equine coronavirus (ECoV). These viruses are distributed globally and primarily cause subclinical infections with unknown morbidity, even if ECoV can occasionally induce febrile and diarrheic episodes. To broaden the data on the Italian equine population, a study was conducted to assess their prevalence in two distinct horse populations belonging to the Carabinieri Corps (CC) and the Italian Army (IA) of the Ital...
Innovative diagnostic strategies for equine habronemiasis: exploring molecular identification, gene expression, and oxidative stress markers. Equine habronemiasis, caused by Habronema (H.) muscae, H. microstoma, and Draschia megastoma, is a parasitic disease that presents in both gastric and cutaneous forms. Conventional diagnostic methods often lack sensitivity due to intermittent egg shedding and nonspecific clinical signs. This study aimed to enhance diagnostic accuracy by integrating molecular identification, oxidative stress profiling, and cytokine gene expression analysis. Methods: A total of 100 horses from a private farm in Giza, Egypt, were clinically examined for signs of habronemiasis. Fecal and skin samples were exami...
Evolution of in vitro antimicrobial resistance at an equine hospital over 4 decades. This study aimed to document antimicrobial resistance patterns of bacteria frequently isolated at a referral equine hospital between 2020 and 2022 and to compare these results to those of studies carried out in previous decades at the same reference center. Unassigned: Using the Kirby-Bauer method, 340 tests were completed on bacterial isolates and compared to 233, 255, and 396 tests carried out in 1986 to 1988, 1996 to 1998, and 2007 to 2013, respectively. Data were analyzed with tests for trends, followed by pairwise Fisher tests and Bonferroni corrections. Unassigned: Increasing resistanc...
Isolation, identification and comparative genomic analysis of Lactobacillus salivarius from Mongolian horse vagina. Reproductive health in mares is pivotal for the sustainability of the equine industry, yet vaginal microbiota dysbiosis remains an underrecognized contributor to infections such as endometritis and bacterial vaginosis. While spp. dominate healthy vaginal ecosystems in humans and livestock, their role in equine reproductive health, particularly in resilient breeds like Mongolian mares, is poorly understood. This study aimed to isolate and characterize a novel strain from the vaginal microbiota of healthy Mongolian mares and evaluate its probiotic potential for mitigating equine reproductive d...
Morphological and morphometric characterization of the aorta of Brazilian horses (Equus ferus caballus, Linnaeus-1758): Comparative analysis of the aortic bulb and ascending aorta. We examined 52 horse aortas to characterize the morphological aspects of the aortic bulb wall and the ascending aorta. The morphometric data were analyzed using ImageJ®-Fiji 1.5 software. The Tunica intima was composed of endotheliocytes with scarce cytoplasm and ellipsoid nuclei, supported by a collagenous subendothelial stratum. The Tunica media was composed entirely of fascicles of vascular smooth muscle cells interspersed with bundles of collagen fibers and elastic lamellae, characterizing the aortic medial lamellar unit. The Tunica adventitia consisted of two distinct sub-layers: the ext...
Assessment of Salivary Biomarkers of Gastric Ulcer in Horses from a Clinical Perspective. This study arises from the search for non-invasive diagnostic alternatives for equine gastric ulceration (EGUS), which is prevalent, clinically variable and only confirmed by gastroscopy. The aim is to quantify five salivary biomarkers (IL1-F5, PIP, CA VI, serotransferrin, albumin) under clinical conditions by validated assays and analyse their diagnostic value. Horses were grouped in No EGUS (neither clinical signs of EGUS nor gastric lesions), EGUS non-clinical (apparently no clinical signs of EGUS but with gastric lesions), and EGUS clinical (obvious clinical signs of EGUS and with gastric ...
The use of systemic immune inflammatory index as a predictor for nematodes infections in horses. Nematode infections are a significant health concern in horses, causing a range of clinical signs and economic losses. Early detection and diagnosis are crucial for effective treatment and management. Unassigned: Examining the application of the systemic immune Inflammatory index (SII) as a predictor for nematode infections in horses, using platelets count, leucocytes count, and neutrophils count. Unassigned: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 164 horses, consisting of 66 horses with nematode infections and 98 horses without infections. The SII was computed using the platelets count, leu...
Population structure and signature of selection for body size in some Iranian and exotic horse breeds. Iran is home to genetically distinct horse breeds shaped by geography and history. Breeds like the Kurdish, Caspian pony, and Turkmen reflect deep-rooted diversity and unique adaptive traits. Objective: This study aimed to identify genomic regions exhibiting signatures of selection and to detect candidate genes and biological pathways related to body size that may influence performance in various Iranian and exotic horse breeds. Methods: Samples were collected from three Iranian native breeds (Caspian pony, Turkmen, and Kurdish) and three exotic breeds (Fell pony, Arabian, and Akhal-Teke) orig...
Cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol treatment of equine dermatophytosis: a novel therapeutic approach. Dermatophytosis is a common fungal skin infection in horses, particularly affecting young and immunocompromised animals. Traditional treatments often involve antifungal medications with potential side effects. Here, we present a case report that evaluated the efficacy of cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol (CAP-A) as a standalone treatment for equine dermatophytosis. Unassigned: A 2-year-old Westphalian warmblood stallion presented with confirmed dermatophyte lesions restricted to the left side of the mouth which were treated with CAP-A. Treatment was administered 2 times daily for 12 consecutive ...
Pathophysiology of penetrating captive-bolt stunning of horses. There has been limited research into the effectiveness of penetrating captive bolt (PCB) for stunning horses () at slaughter. This study observed 100 horses at a commercial abattoir in Mexico, stunned using pneumatic PCB. Animals were assessed at the time of stunning and immediately after for signs of effective/ineffective stunning and shot positioning, with macroscopic gross brain pathology conducted to determine brain trauma. Twenty-five percent (25/100) received more than one shot and 28% (28/100) displayed behavioural signs of ineffective stunning. Of these 28 animals, all had deviations o...
A Ridiculous Business Card in a Horse Dentist Family. Early in the 1900s, a Philadelphia Horse Dentist apparently had a jolly sense of humor. A business card with a fun reverse is evidence of that. In 1876 Peter J. Haley, Sr. founded a veterinary horse parlor business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and his sons Peter Jr. Haley and James Raymond Haley carried their father's work forward, after his death.
Histopathological and molecular evaluation of hydatid cysts according to necropsy findings of 52 equids in Türkiye. is a parasitic cestode primarily maintained within an equine-canine life cycle, with horses, donkeys, mules, and other ungulates serving as intermediate hosts. Although has historically been considered non-zoonotic, recent molecular studies suggest that this assumption may need to be reevaluated. This study aimed to investigate the presence and molecular characterization of in equids from Türkiye. A retrospective analysis of 52 equine necropsies performed between 2020 and 2025 identified hydatid cysts in one Arabian horse and two donkeys. Gross and histopathological examination confirmed t...
Risk factors associated with owner-reported sleep disturbances in Nordic horses. Very little is known about sleep disturbances in horses, although several management or animal-based factors may contribute to an increased risk of disturbances. Objective: To investigate factors related to rest and sleep behaviour of horses kept in stalls as perceived by Nordic horse owners or caretakers and their association with suspected sleep disturbances (SSD). Methods: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: The 40 question online international survey included a convenience sample of horse owners or caretakers with horses over 4 years old kept in the same individual stalls for at least the l...
In Silico Analysis of Stress Distribution in Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis in Horses Using a Locking Compression Plate. This study aimed to compare the stress distribution in proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis with locking compression plate in horses based on the type and method of screw implantation in the proximal hole and partial or total removal of implants after fusion.Finite element analysis.Proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis was simulated using a 3-hole, 4.5-mm narrow locking compression plate combined with two 5.5-mm transarticular screws. Models were created according to the type (cortex or locking) and method of implantation (uni- or bicortical) of the screw in the proximal hole of the...
Total mixed ration enhances nutrient digestibility, blood biochemical parameters and faecal microbial diversity in horses. Total Mixed Ration (TMR) is recognized for its balanced nutritional composition, improved feed efficiency, enhanced animal production, and stabilization of the gastrointestinal microbiome. It has been extensively implemented in intensive ruminant farming, particularly for cattle and sheep, with demonstrated positive outcomes. However, its effects on the nutritional health of non-ruminant herbivores, such as horses, remain insufficiently investigated. This study aims to evaluate the comparative effects of TMR feeding versus conventional feeding practices in Akhal-Teke horses while maintaining i...
Cryopreserved equine umbilical cord tissue allograft characterization and biocompatibility in vivo in musculoskeletal tissues: a controlled study. The use of micro-particulate allografts is rising, but knowledge about the protein characterization and biocompatibility of umbilical cord-derived allografts (UC) in vivo is limited. Methods: Proteomic analyses using mass spectrometry (MS) determined equine UC protein relative quantification and functions using total spectral counts (TSC). UC cytokines were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Three in vivo studies assessed recipient clinical and tissue biocompatibility in joints and ligaments. Results: Proteomics revealed 2645 annotated TSCs. Proteins of > 89 TSC we...
A retrospective study of radial fractures in racehorses in California, 2006-2022. Radial fractures are relatively uncommon (0-1%) injuries in postmortem studies of racehorses, and few cases have been published. We describe here a series of 42 cases of radial fractures observed in California racehorses. Autopsy findings from all racehorses submitted for postmortem examination between 2006 July 1 and 2022 June 30 that had a recorded radial fracture were evaluated. We included 42 horses (30 Thoroughbreds, 12 Quarter Horses), most of which were 3-5-y-old. Catastrophic radial fracture was observed in 30 (71%) horses; in the remaining 12 (29%) horses, the fracture of the radius w...